Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 34

worn I ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK' By GUY RICHARDSON Everybody knows Nevada's legal casinos make lots of money. A Nevada gaming license is a treasured thing, because it's the key to a lot of money, they say. So when Kings Inn owner Allan Bergendahl finally got his gaming license last week, he was jubilant. The tables and slots were moved in, and the dealers prepared. Everything was ready for that first big night.

Bergendahl saw the crowds flow in, heard the clink of silver. He figured he'd be happy with a million or so a year from the gaming. The first night ended, and the books were toted up, with Bergendahl figuratively rubbing his hands together. "How much did we make?" he asked. "Well, boss," came the reply, "in all, we lost a hundred dollars." Win a few, lose a few, hey Allan? Sept.

2 th ru 1 5 JJV 4'- Bergendahl is running the Kings Inn by being highly visible, circulating in the club and being accessible (and known) to patrons, in the same manner that Harold Smith was and Jessie Beck is. I like that. I like to know the man I lose my nickle or dollar to I'm not just losing to (or winning from occasionally) a faceless corporation. Bergendahl has also hired one of the most versatile and popular small groups in Reno, the Jimmy Cicero Trio, to play until 5 a.m., thus catching downtown employes coming off swing shift. The Vagabonds are doing well at the Eldorado.

They're a daffy bunch of fellows who do the wackiest things on stage. You'd never know from looking at the madman perform, but Dino Natali (the one with the big mustache and zonked look) is a Shakespeare buff. He's been a serious actor in New York, but he likes life as a nut better. C5 is 2 CASINO 1324 Sparks your paycheck I lMjil 2nd name drawn CASINO s0A Asleep at the Wheel, whose publicity pictures make them look like a bunch of Thirties-style gangsters darkly seen through the bottom of a bottle, are currently at Harrah's Tahoe Stateline Cabaret. The group's single "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," a mixture of western swing, ragtime and word-jazz, has been very influential in the recording world.

Country music is starting to mix twang with Dixieland, and it sounds good. This group is solid, Jackson, solid. Rich Little could be the first impressionist with his own weekly TV variety show, says UPI's Vernon Scott. Little wanted to do a poker-playing scene in his special this week with James Whitmore playing Harry Truman, Henry Fonda playing Clarence Darrow, Hal Holbrook doing Abe Lincoln and Little doing Nixon. "Can't you just hear Nixon saying 'I'll raise you a and Lincoln saying 'I'll throw in a slave'?" said Little.

Unfortunately, it didn't work out. rot tin 5 HOTEL-CAM? C4A7.V0 IHW STOW REH Nevada circuit musicians are noted for their versatility. For example, Freddy Powers' musical director Stu Lan-ning plays valve trombone with one hand and organ keyboard with the other. But Zella Lehr's drummer, Mark Ashworth, hits a new high in versatility. He plays drums and also banjo.

Perhaps you've seen other drummers who can play banjo but simultaneously? IS the place Sloopy was in town for a couple hectic days last week and says she may be back playing Nevada (she's currently on the Midwest circuit) next year. I hope so she's my favorite skinny broad. If Sonny Turner's voice at Harrah's Reno Casino Cabaret seems a bit familiar to you, it's because he was the lead singer for the Platters in the days when the Platters were recording all their hits. LaFontan, Executive, Chef Food Manager to have your next meeting or dinner. Jean LaFontan, executive Chef and food manager, will prepare that special menu for your event whether it is a Christmas Party, business meeting or just with a group of friends.

0 GGOOOOOGOOOOOOGG Bob Shane has brought his New Kingston Trio to the Cabaret of the Sparks Nugget. They're good as good, I think, as the original Kingston Trio. And Shane, whose young face is familiar from the original album covers, now looks a bit like Bob Culp with gray hair. The Links and the Homestead Act are at the Riverside. The Links have one of the world's great crazies in drummer Stan Galli and the Homestead Act are noted for drawing celebrities (don't be surprised if Liberace, one of their fans, flies in for a show).

RENO'S BIG SHOW! Crystal Hill SHOW SALE Centennial Coliseum Sept. 12-13-14 FRI. 1 to 10 P.M.; SUNDAY, 1 to 6 P.M. "FREE GIFTS" DAILY TO FIRST 100 ADULTS! Sometimes, it seems, you can be too good at what you do. Moxie, the duo of Luigi Giovinetti and Peter Wolland, have been playing local boogie clubs with great success over the past three years but they now have a reputation as a rock band, and casinos as a rule don't want rock.

I've seen Moxie do show sets, and they're a good show duo certainly fit for Sahara Tahoe's Pinecone Lounge, Harolds' Silver Dollar Room, the Riverside Hotel or the Holiday, to name a few. But their rock name preceeds them, and some casinos won't even audition them. Hyatt Lake Tahoe was different. They listened, liked what they saw, and bought the group, currently doing show sets (not rock) in the Hyatt Lounge. Talent buyers might be wise to give them a look.

"I've I want lo be when I grow up.l want to be a little bo." Joseph Heller. ADMISSION $2.50 ACHIIDREN UNDER 1 2 ARE SUESTS THIS AD ADMITS OR MORE AT 2SC DISCOUNT.