You never forget your first time … in Las Vegas. It was January 2011. I was 25 years old with 10 years of performing in South Texas under my belt. It was time for my first vacation, and Las Vegas had always called to me. The Elvis of it all, nightlife, The Entertainment Capital of the World, all the things – I was ready to explore.
I arrived at The Bellagio for my eight-day stay and immediately ran over to catch the Fountains dancing on the lake. As I stood there, taking in the magic of the city, I said out loud to myself, “I have to live here … I will live here!” To this day, every time I watch the Fountains, I’m taken back to that moment.
After settling in, I walked across the street to Planet Hollywood and saw a store with flashy clothes in the window. Don’t threaten me with a good time! As I was trying on jackets covered in stones and sequins, an employee named Marco walked over and asked, “Are you an entertainer? You look like an entertainer.”
I informed him I was in Texas, but today I was just a tourist. He invited me to join him at The Bootlegger Italian Bistro for Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret: “I’ll talk to Kelly and get you up to sing.” Mind you this was the first person I met in Las Vegas, and this was how it was going. I felt like I was in a movie. After scoring shirts and a jacket that would make Liberace blush, I was ready for my debut.
Watching Kelly and Clint Holmes entertain was a masterclass of Las Vegas showmanship. I nervously got up and sang “Tiny Dancer” to an audience full of Las Vegas performers. It felt so good to hear that applause. I was hooked.
I met Skye Dee Miles that night – she was so kind and invited me to see her perform in “Menopause the Musical” the following night. She took time after the show to meet with me and spill the tea on the in’s and out’s of being a Las Vegas entertainer. I’ll never forget her generosity.
I also met an entertainer named Nicholas Brooks who had headlined in Las Vegas and was and is one of the greatest Sammy Davis Jr. tribute artists in “The Rat Pack Is Back.” He was kind enough to offer me a room to rent if I ever decided to move and give Las Vegas a shot. Again, this was Day 1 of my vacation. One year later, I left Texas and took him up on his offer.
To have a dream and truly chase it is not for the faint of heart. Those first years were tough, hitting the pavement and begging for an opportunity. Tommy Rocker was one of the first to put me onstage and give me a platform to make new friends and fans that I still have and cherish to this day.
I’ve been so blessed to survive the struggle of being a starving artist. The generosity and love in this town are unmatched. To those who opened their hearts and their homes to me, I will forever be grateful.
All I ever wanted was to have my little cowboy hat be a small part of the Las Vegas entertainment landscape. I’m not there yet, but we are 140 weeks into my Las Vegas Country Residency at Notoriety Live! in Downtown Las Vegas.
That’s like 1 million weeks in Las Vegas years! I have the most amazing loyal following a guy could ask for and a manager who keeps me booked, blessed and busy all over the world. What more could a Rhinestone Cowboy from Victoria, Texas, ask for? Dreams do come true in Las Vegas, but you gotta go all in!
More: @ChaseBrownMusic + NotorietyLive.com
