Holly’s guy pal dancing to own tune
An "overnight" pop star? That’s a bit of exaggeration when you’re talking about "Peepshow" male lead Josh Strickland. You probably should count all three nights this week.
Three weeks ago, the "Holly’s World" reality TV crew documented Holly Madison’s adding some vocals to Strickland’s new dance single, then filmed the gang’s Champagne listening party at Odds On Recording Studio.
The episode aired Monday, and on Tuesday, the single, "Report to the Floor," was No. 9 on the iTunes dance chart. On Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, Strickland, Madison and Co. were to film a music video in Krave nightclub. On Wednesday night, he was to sing the tune for the first time to a live audience at Luxor’s LAX club.
"It’s craziness right now," Strickland said Tuesday. Because E! pushed up the air dates of "Holly’s World," "the turnaround is really, really quick. I kind of like it because it keeps everyone knowing that it’s recent, that it’s new. I like that better than something that’s filmed six months ago."
The music business is almost as instant now. Strickland doesn’t have to wait months or years to seek a hard-copy record deal for the five songs he’s cut with producer Damon Elliott (son of Dionne Warwick, for us old-timers) and remixer Axident.
"I think that dance-heavy tracks are what people listen to and what gets them going for the day," he says. "It’s a type of music that I enjoy listening to but also enjoy singing."
The video has a simple scenario. "It’s Holly and I getting ready to go out for a night of fun. As we’re walking through the casino, more and more of our friends come out with us. We end up all on the dance floor. It’s just a feel-good kind of thing. Not too Lady Gaga. I don’t need to be coming out of an egg or anything like that." …
The Billboard Music Awards are returning to the MGM Grand Garden, but almost everything else has changed since they disappeared in 2006. The show is moving from Fox to ABC, and moving from its annual Monday in early December to Sunday, May 22.
Behind the scenes, the namesake magazine has a new owner, Prometheus Global Media. And the awards show has been handed off from AEG Live, which operates the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, to Don Mischer Productions, which is busy this week with a little thing called the Academy Awards. …
Nothing seems to stick for long at The Crown Theater over at the Rio, but they keep on trying. The casino leased out its former showroom and nightclub as an independent operation last April to Darin Feinstein, part owner of The Viper Room in Los Angeles.
The two latest twists: a comedy series and (somewhat) free Monday night concerts.
The Crown Comedy Jam launched last weekend, on Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. It promises three up-and-coming comedians with a multicultural blend, "a virtual United Nations of comedy," as the promotional slogan goes.
This week’s headliner is John Hilder, supported by Gabe Nolasco and Diaz Mackie, with DJ Twist providing the atmosphere. The new series is produced by Joe Sanfelippo of the Bonkerz club chain and Irwin Gonor.
The "Monday Night Rocks" series answers the question, "Whatever happened to Afroman?"
The one-hit wonder (but oh, what a hit!) brings "Because I Got High" to the Crown on March 14, in between Days Of The New on Monday, Sophie B. Hawkins on March 7 and Marcy Playground on March 21.
A limited number of free tickets for each are available through a website, Vegashotspots.com; after that, you have to pay $40. The series is produced directly by Feinstein. …
Finally, there are such things as second chances if your name is Larry King. The former CNN host did a one-night benefit at Wynn Las Vegas in 2009. It has now been reported "Larry King: Stand Up" will visit The Mirage on June 11, the end of a seven-city tour.
King has connections any time he wants to entertain here. One is nephew Scott Zeiger, whose Base Entertainment helms "Phantom" and co-produces "Jersey Boys" on the Strip. The Mirage isn’t a usual Base venue, but Zeiger says King and hotel president Felix Rappaport are friends.
Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.
