Wednesday, August 27, 2003
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Wednesday, August 27, 2003 |
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Peachtree City goes Vegas this weekend By MICHAEL
BOYLAN A big slice of Las Vegas comes to Peachtree City this weekend when Wayne Newton, known as Mr. Las Vegas, performs at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater Friday and Saturday. Like most of the successful acts in music who have played the amphitheater, Newton got his start at a very early age. By the age of six he had performed before President Harry S. Truman and was performing with a Grand Ole Opry road show. He also earned to play piano, guitar and slide guitar by ear while still a youngster and over the ears added 10 more instruments to his repertoire. Learning other instruments was important at that time because he was performing six shows a day in Las Vegas with his brother and he needed time during each show to rest his voice. Newton has never been intimidated by fame or success and has appeared comfortable in nearly every medium. He appeared on both Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball's television programs and also opened for seasoned professionals like Jack Benny. His appearances on television also included guest spots on "Bonanza" as well as programs like "Roseanne," "L.A. Law," "Ally McBeal," the mini-series "North and South: Book II," and "Tales from the Crypt." He has also appeared on the silver screen in films such as "License to Kill," "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane," and "Vegas Vacation." While Newton has enjoyed his "second career" as an actor, it is his role as the consummate entertainer that has brought him the most recognition. He has recorded 157 albums and has recorded such hits as "Heart," "Danke Schoen," "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife," "She Believes in Me," and the number-one hit "Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast." Newton has even taken his act overseas and entertained troops in Vietnam, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf. He just recently returned from a trip to the Middle East, performing for troops in Kuwait, Qatar, Korea and Iraq. While he is comfortable before any crowd, anywhere, Vegas is his home. He performed his 25,000th show in Las Vegas in 1994 and signed a contract with the Stardust Resort and Casino to perform 40 weeks a year, six shows a week in the Wayne Newton Theater. His biggest concert was for 350,000 in Washington, D.C., outside of the Washington Monument at the request of President Ronald Reagan. Over the years he has performed for 30 million people. Newton's popularity and work with charities, civic organizations and military organizations has also helped him earn a number of awards and special recognition. He has been knighted as Sir Wayne Newton, has been named an Honorary Green Beret, was awarded a medal of Distinguished Public Service, was presented with an American Legend Award, along with Senator John Glenn and Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and also was awarded the American legion's Exceptional Citizen Award. Those attending this weekend's shows can expect an amazing performance from one of the hardest working men in show business. In the past week, Newton has performed in five states as well as Windsor, Ontario. There are also a handful of individual seats available for each night for $45 each. Comedian Jerry Farber will open the show at 8 p.m. Phone 770-631-0630 for more information.
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