The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

This week on "Talk About Las Vegas With Ira," Ira welcomes jazz artist Andy James, whose latest album, “Happy People” (Le Coq Records), blends the fire of flamenco with the soul of jazz.

Andy began her artistic journey as a flamenco dancer, studying in Australia and Spain before performing worldwide. She talks about her family’s musical roots, the challenges of injuries, and meeting her husband—a classically trained pianist and former ballet dancer—during a rehearsal for "Carmen."
Now based in Las Vegas, Andy shares how she draws inspiration from Chick Corea, crafts songs through collaboration, and recorded her new album across several cities over the course of a year. From the unpredictability of live performance to the quiet focus of meditation before a show, Andy brings passion, discipline, and artistry to every stage she steps on.
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Talking With Greg Adams – August 18, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Grammy and Emmy-nominated trumpeter and arranger Greg Adams joins the conversation ahead of his August 22nd performance with East Bay Soul in Myron’s Cabaret at The Smith Center. From picking up the trumpet at an early age to taking over his high school band, Greg shares how his self-taught arranging skills led him to become a founding member of Tower of Power. He takes us behind the scenes of iconic moments—joining Elton John for the legendary Caribou sessions, working in the storied Capitol Records building, arranging with Quincy Jones, collaborating with George Martin, and why Linda Ronstadt holds a special place in his heart.
Greg opens up about his “chameleon” approach to arranging—blending seamlessly with a singer’s voice, knowing when less is more, and drawing inspiration from greats like Nelson Riddle. He reflects on “Back to Oakland” as his favorite Tower of Power album, his ability to balance the energy of live performance with the precision of studio work, and the joy of creating his latest album, “The Real,” with East Bay Soul,. Plus, he hints at why Las Vegas might just become a regular stop on his musical journey.
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Talking With Dalton Hicks – August 11, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with rising country artist Dalton Hicks, performing at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country on August 15. Dalton opens up about the stories and grit behind his latest single, "Day By Day"—a song shaped by his rough life, self-reliance right after high school, and a “get up and keep moving” philosophy.
He shares how picking up a guitar at 17 turned a dream of becoming a marine biologist into a career as a songwriter and performer—without any studio backing. Raised a self-described “redneck,” Dalton was first inspired by his grandmother’s church music, even though it wasn’t country. In 2020, he released his debut song, and his first online hit,"I’m Still Here" (2024) put him on the map.
In this conversation, Dalton talks about his first-ever Vegas performance, his two-year bond with his band (including the funny tattoo story of how they met), recording in Nashville versus the rush of a live audience, his admiration for Thomas Rhett as a family man, and his ultimate dream—to one day stand on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He’s not chasing fame—he’s chasing the chance to motivate people through his music. And when he’s on stage, this “country boy” pours his whole heart into every note.
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Talking With Fielding West – August 4, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira welcomes award-winning magician and showbiz veteran Fielding West, fresh from being honored at the inaugural Global Magicians Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas.
In this revealing and entertaining conversation, Fielding shares how his magical journey began at the age of nine—sparked by a life-changing gift from his grandfather to help him overcome learning disabilities. That spark eventually led to a bold decision: dropping out of graduate school after a chance encounter with none other than Steve Martin. After driving the comedy icon to a gig and watching him perform, Fielding knew his true calling was on stage, not in a classroom.
Fielding dives into the art of misdirection, the thrill of discovering magic’s secrets, and the pure joy of an audience's reaction. He shares the hilarious origin of his unique sense of humor—including a childhood prank involving a whoopee cushion—and talks candidly about performing today while managing COPD with an oxygen concentrator, calling it the “bullet catch” for aging magicians.
He also reflects on the legendary “magician’s graveyard,” names his top three magicians in history, and offers heartfelt insights into his decades-long friendship with master magi-cian Lance Burton.
It’s a magical, moving, and memorable episode you won’t want to miss.
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