Three Dog Night showed why they were considered one of the premier groups of the late 60’s and early 70’s when they played at the Star of the Dessert Arena inside the Buffalo Bill’s Casino and Resort. The voices of this melodic group were still as clear and strong as they were forty years ago.

While there are many of the older musical groups still touring and performing, Three Dog Night can boast that it still has the majority of its founding members: Danny Hutton and Cory Wells on vocals, Michael Allsup on guitar, and Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards. The familiarity of playing together for so many years shines through when they are on stage as the music flows with the greatest of ease.

While Wells and Hutton share anecdotes and stories of the group and their years together, when they begin playing their music, it is like listening to a greatest hit album being played live. They play an anthology of hits from their twenty-one top 40 hits and three number one Billboard chart toppers: “One”, “Mama Told Me not to Come”, and “Black and White”. There could not be a Three Dog Night concert without them playing the song they are most recognized for recording, “Joy to the World”. Everyone left the arena humming along to their favorite Three Dog Night “Old-Fashioned Love Song”.

Big & Rich, who are known for what is quite possibly the most high-energy concert in country music, hit the stage of the Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill’s Casino and Resort in Primm, Nevada. Big & Rich brought their Hillbilly Jedi tour to the multitudes of awaiting fans and entertained them from the opening note until the last note was played in “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”.

The popular duo had been on hiatus from 2008 until the end of 2011, but they returned where they had left off with gusto. Their new single from the Hillbilly Jedi album, That’s Why I Pray, was well-received by the audience. A touching moment during their show was when they brought a Vietnam veteran on stage to “share a shot of Crown” when they sang “8^th of November”.

Big & Rich played all the hits they are known for: “Coming to Your City”, “Holy Water”, their number one hit, “Lost in this Moment”, and the AC/DC classic, “You Shook Me All Night Long”. Cowboy Troy joined them on stage to sing his popular song, written by Big & Rich, “I Play Chicken with the Train”. He added some humor with the group when they played off his “Cowboy Rap” persona by doing various rap versions of popular songs.

What would a Big & Rich concert be without them playing the song that put them on the map, “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”?Their most popular song was played to close the show and to send every fan in the arena away with a smile on their face and a song in their heart.

Jon Lovitz, who has been in such films as A League of their Own, The Stepford Wives, and The Producers and has made appearances on countless sitcoms made a live appearance in Vegas over Saint Patrick’s Day weekend at the Flamingo.  Lovitz’s show left no one safe from his acerbic wit, including himself.

He poked fun at every ethnic group and religion in a manner that only he could pull off.  With a sense of humor that was equally self-depcrecating, no one could take offense.

Lovitz put many of the other visiting stand-up comedians to shame, exhibiting a finesse and sense of flow that only a handful of comics ever attain.  His side-splitting show was nothing short of unforgettable.

Paul Ogata is undeniably one of the funniest comedians who has ever appeared at Big Al’s Comedy Club at the Orleans Hotel & Casino.

Ogata, who has earned himself the title of “Funniest Asian-American Comedian in the U.S.” made jokes about how gracefully Asians age… “until 75, when our spine gets ripped out and we look like question marks,” and how Asian porn “sounds like someone is burning a cat alive.”

His hilarious facial expressions complemented his routine perfectly, particularly when he described the difference between the “for her” section of sex shops and “for him” section.

Ogata had everyone in the audience laughing until it hurt, until they were crying, or some combination of the two.

Although Paul Ogata may not be a household name, he is definitely a name to know, as his hilarious act will undoubtedly garner him countless television specials and recognition.

America’s Got Talent winner, Michael Grimm, blew audiences away in his two week engagement at the Flamingo with his unbeatable combination of vocals, guitar skills, style, likeability, and a trademark fedora. He opened the show with a powerful rendition of “Born on the Bayou” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and “Down in New Orleans,” paying homage to his Gulf heritage and showcasing the signature style that he has referred to as “swampy.”

He went on to perform “Sometimes I Feel Like I’m Dying,” “Ophelia,” and “Simple Man,” which he originally recorded as a duet with Travis Tritt. Grimm then performed some of his original songs, including “I Am” and “Qualified” from his album, Leave Your Hat On. Next, he performed “Gasoline and Matches,” the song that opens his self-titled album, recorded as a duet with Ann Wilson. Grimm offered a touching tribute to Sergeant Blake Evans with the song “Ships That Don’t Come In.”

On the night in question, the show was even more unforgettable than usual, with some talented audience members coming up to share the stage with him. Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers and Tyriq Johnson, who performs with Santa Fe & the Fat City Horns Monday nights at the Palms, joined him to form a harmonious trio that spanned all genres of music. Together, they performed “Silent Night,” the Righteous Brothers classic, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,’” and Al Green’s “Love and Happiness.” Medley stayed on stage to perform two duets with Grimm: “Bells Will Be Ringing” and another Righteous Brothers favorite, “Bring It On Home to Me.”

The evening was one of unforgettable music, from the phenomenal talent that Michael Grimm brought to the stage to the nostalgia that Bill Medley offered, the incredible range of Tyree Johnson, the prowess on the guitar that John Weedermier showcased, and the rest of the band and backup singers. Despite the fact that there were many amazing talents involved in the show, no one could eclipse the soulful style that won America’s hearts on America’s Got Talent and packed the theater of the Flamingo.

Las Vegas locals undoubtedly have many more performances to look forward to from Grimm after his Flamingo success, filling the 700-seat theatre that Donny and Marie typically perform in, a feat that is certain to catch the attention of one of the casinos in town. We can only hope that the Henderson resident becomes as much of a fixture here as he was in Branson.