Mike MacRae's Viva Las Vegas 2001 Review

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for thousands of slap-happy Marvin Rainwater fans who caught his wild 45-minute set during this year's Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. This year's VLV took place April 12-15 at Vegas's Gold Coast hotel. As the festival's Friday night headliner, Marvin showed the throng of frenzied fans from around the world why he is regarded as a rockabilly and country music legend. Backed by Big Sandy's awesome Fly-Rite Boys, Marvin peeled off rousing renditions of his classic 1950s recordings, and threw in a couple of surprises to boot.

The following report is kinda light on the particulars of Marvin's set itself; I didn't know beforehand that I'd be invited to write this review so I didn't take notes or anything. However, I hope the write-up and the accompanying photos give you a feel not only for what it's like to see Marvin on stage but also what these Viva Las Vegas events are all about. So with that out of the way, here we go!

After a heartfelt introduction by Big Sandy himself (the crown prince of today's rockabilly/western swing movement), Marvin hit the stage decked out in a snakeskin shirt, leather vest, and a trademark native American bolo. Ever the gentleman, he spent a good long time shaking hands with the hardcore fans (like me) who elbowed their way up front. The Fly Rite Boys (with a fellow by the name of Shorty guest-slapping the stand-up bass and new addition Jimmy Roy on the steel guitar) kept things rolling while Marvin said his hellos. This band has backed up the likes of Janis Martin, Lew Williams, and Wanda Jackson on the VLV stage, and each of these veteran performers clearly appreciated the support of such capable, world-class players. Marvin even compared the picking of lead guitarist Ashley Kingman to that of Roy Clark, who laid down the original licks on many of Marvin's classic MGM records.

Marvin proceeded to blaze through all of the rockinest numbers from his sizable songbook - "Hot and Cold," "Mr. Blues," "Whole Lotta Woman," "I Dig You Baby," and of course his signature tune, "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird." Marvin was in fine voice that night, and was clearly having a heck of a good time careening through the classics. Hit after hit was met with a huge ovation from fans who, like me, figured they'd probably never get to see this one-of-a-kind artist on stage. Marvin Rainwater comes off as a down-to-earth, completely unpretentious guy who loves his music, his fans, and the world in general; this all came through loud and clear in his performance.

Marvin has always blurred the lines between pop, country, rock, and folk while dreaming up some of the quirkiest lyrics ever put to a bopping beat. As you'd expect at a rockabilly festival, Marvin's set showcased his more up-tempo numbers, leaving some of his ballads and straight-ahead country tunes for another night. I also heard fans calling out for cult favorites like "Get Off The Stool," "Down in the Cellar," and "Albino (Pink Eyed) Stallion," but there was no way to include every single gem in such a short stretch of time. Marvin did debut one new number, and although I didn't catch the title, it went over so well he did it again as an encore. He also gave a repeat performance of "Hot and Cold," with Ashley Kingman plunking out the opening notes of "Rockabye Baby" before yielding to drummer Bobby Trimble's pounding intro. It rocked, it rolled, and man I'm sold! Marvin later said he had so much fun he couldn't talk for three days. If he had half as much fun as the crowd did, then it was worth it!

One of the best traditions at Viva Las Vegas is the autograph table, where the stars mix and mingle with the fans they have just destroyed. Marvin was very gracious in signing all sorts of memorabilia lugged to Las Vegas from around the world (he was even more gracious after the organizers finally brought him a Newcastle Brown Ale!). After we scored our autograph and said hey to Marvin and Sheree, my wife and I were thrilled to meet the great Patty Rainwater, who was there to root her brother on. We are both big fans of the songs Patty wrote and/or recorded with Marvin, especially "Crazy Love," "Can I Count on Your Love?," and some of her solo numbers. We also love the song she wrote for Marvin called "Down in the Cellar." Marvin didn't seem to consider that particular tune one of his personal career highlights, but we think it's pretty cool. Someday it would be great to see Marv and sister Patty on stage again doing some of their killer duets. Meanwhile, I'm hoping some rockabilly record company gets busy recording both of these talented Rainwaters and puts some new material on the market pronto!

This year's other main attraction from the Golden Age of rockabilly was the great Wanda Jackson, who also tore the place apart with a scorching set of her 1950s classics. The Cadillacs, Big Sandy, the Blue Star Boys, and the great Texas chanteuse Martí Brom were among the top acts on this year's main stage. Now preparing for its fifth year, VLV is now said to be the world's largest and most important gathering for fans of this art form.

If you've never attended, I would strongly recommend it to anyone with even a moderate interest in rockabilly, vintage country, original rock-n-roll - and even some of the more "city-fied" strains of American music like doo-wop and swing. This annual "Rockabilly Woodstock" provides the best of all possible entertainment worlds. Fans from all over Europe, Japan, and beyond flock to VLV for rare performances by the music's original creators, which are staged along with sets by the hottest contemporary rockabilly acts. Even if you don't want to catch all of the acts, there's plenty of other stuff to do in Las Vegas at any hour of the day or night. But for true-blue rockabilly/vintage country fans, there's really nothing that can top the experience of watching legendary performers rock the socks off a hot-and-bothered crowd amid the 24:7 glitz and debauchery found only in Vegas.

Viva Las Vegas is also partly an impromptu fashion show, showcasing everything the thrift store has to offer in 1950s-style get-ups: pegged pants, two-tone shoes, zoot suits, tattoos everywhere (literally), coveralls, smile-pocket cowboy shirts, rolled-up Levis, etc. And of course, there's the hair: beehives, bobs, Pompadours, flat tops, pig tails, crew cuts, and more - most of it shellacked down with an Exxon Valdez-size load of petrolatum. Other VLV highlights include a pre-1960 hot rod show sponsored by The Shifters car club, scads of vendors selling vintage clothes and memorabilia, and a whole separate performance zone operated by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. This is a much more informal jam session where legends, up-and-comers, and wannabes share the limelight. This year, Ray Campi, Glen Glenn, Johnny Legend, Billy Swan, and others did sets there. The only problem is schedule overlap and the tough decisions that go along with having too much of a good thing available all at once. A lot of VLV attendees are fixtures on the LA rockabilly scene and all seem to know each other. Some come more to ogle each other's outfits than to listen to music. But most of the attendees, especially those from Europe and Japan, are committed to the music and the legends like Marvin Rainwater who helped invent it.

VLV is playing a huge part in keeping the music alive, giving a new generation of fans the chance to see living legends on stage like Janis Martin, Curtis Gordon, Lew Williams, Mac Curtis, Sonny Burgess, Ronnie Dawson, and more. If you truly care about this music, there is nothing to equal the experience of seeing these performers interact with a packed house of crazed fans. Few of the original rockabillies - at least those still with us today - enjoyed much large-scale commercial success while they were actively recording, and their musical careers have often been hampered by frustrations, disappointments, rip-offs, and lost opportunities. For the true-blue fan, VLV is an opportunity to give back to these performers a fraction of the good feelings they have given us through their records. It's hard to describe, but the bond between performer and spectator at VLV is almost palpable…there's electricity in the air, lumps in the throat, and even the occasional tear in the eye - all that might not sound like too much fun, but trust me, it is! And when these older performers cut loose, look out because they can still rock! They have set the bar extremely high for today's performers carrying on the tradition. Stars like Big Sandy & the Fly Rite Boys, Deke Dickerson, Ray Condo, Martí Brom, Josie Kruezer, Kim Lenz, and many others are not only carrying on the tradition, they are taking the music in new directions. All have appeared at Viva Las Vegas and have large loyal followings of their own. If VLV 2001 is any indication, the music we all love is thriving better than ever before. Thanks to performances like Marvin's, I'm sure it will continue to do so for a long time to come. Keep rocking, Marvin!

PS. Plans are underway for VLV 5, which will take place Easter weekend 2002 at the Gold Coast. The VLV website, www.vivalasvegas.net , is currently being updated but will soon have all the info you need to register, book a room, and view information from prior weekenders. Rooms go extremely quickly at the Gold Coast and its sister hotels during VLV, and VLV itself sells out prior to the show. It's smart to book early if you plan to attend.


	Rocks The Gold Coast! (Photo By Mike MacRae) Las Vegas Deluged with Rainwater, Gold Coast Hotel Severely Rocked By Mike MacRae Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender April 13, 2001 Friday the 13th was a lucky day for thousands of slap-happy Marvin Rainwater fans who caught his wild 45-minute set during this year's Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. This year's VLV took place April 12-15 at Vegas's Gold Coast hotel. As the festival's Friday night headliner, Marvin showed the throng of frenzied fans from around the world why he is regarded as a rockabilly and country music legend. Backed by Big Sandy's awesome Fly-Rite Boys, Marvin peeled off rousing renditions of his classic 1950s recordings, and threw in a couple of surprises to boot. The following report is kinda light on the particulars of Marvin's set itself; I didn't know beforehand that I'd be invited to write this review so I didn't take notes or anything. However, I hope the write-up and the accompanying photos give you a feel not only for what it's like to see Marvin on stage but also what these Viva Las Vegas events are all about. So with that out of the way, here we go! After a heartfelt introduction by Big Sandy himself (the crown prince of today's rockabilly/western swing movement), Marvin hit the stage decked out in a snakeskin shirt, leather vest, and a trademark native American bolo. Ever the gentleman, he spent a good long time shaking hands with the hardcore fans (like me) who elbowed their way up front. The Fly Rite Boys (with a fellow by the name of Shorty guest-slapping the stand-up bass and new addition Jimmy Roy on the steel guitar) kept things rolling while Marvin said his hellos. This band has backed up the likes of Janis Martin, Lew Williams, and Wanda Jackson on the VLV stage, and each of these veteran performers clearly appreciated the support of such capable, world-class players. Marvin even compared the picking of lead guitarist Ashley Kingman to that of Roy Clark, who laid down the original licks on many of Marvin's classic MGM records. Marvin proceeded to blaze through all of the rockinest numbers from his sizable songbook - "Hot and Cold," "Mr. Blues," "Whole Lotta Woman," "I Dig You Baby," and of course his signature tune, "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird." Marvin was in fine voice that night, and was clearly having a heck of a good time careening through the classics. Hit after hit was met with a huge ovation from fans who, like me, figured they'd probably never get to see this one-of-a-kind artist on stage. Marvin Rainwater comes off as a down-to-earth, completely unpretentious guy who loves his music, his fans, and the world in general; this all came through loud and clear in his performance. Marvin has always blurred the lines between pop, country, rock, and folk while dreaming up some of the quirkiest lyrics ever put to a bopping beat. As you'd expect at a rockabilly festival, Marvin's set showcased his more up-tempo numbers, leaving some of his ballads and straight-ahead country tunes for another night. I also heard fans calling out for cult favorites like "Get Off The Stool," "Down in the Cellar," and "Albino (Pink Eyed) Stallion," but there was no way to include every single gem in such a short stretch of time. Marvin did debut one new number, and although I didn't catch the title, it went over so well he did it again as an encore. He also gave a repeat performance of "Hot and Cold," with Ashley Kingman plunking out the opening notes of "Rockabye Baby" before yielding to drummer Bobby Trimble's pounding intro. It rocked, it rolled, and man I'm sold! Marvin later said he had so much fun he couldn't talk for three days. If he had half as much fun as the crowd did, then it was worth it! One of the best traditions at Viva Las Vegas is the autograph table, where the stars mix and mingle with the fans they have just destroyed. Marvin was very gracious in signing all sorts of memorabilia lugged to Las Vegas from around the world (he was even more gracious after the organizers finally brought him a Newcastle Brown Ale!). After we scored our autograph and said hey to Marvin and Sheree, my wife and I were thrilled to meet the great Patty Rainwater, who was there to root her brother on. We are both big fans of the songs Patty wrote and/or recorded with Marvin, especially "Crazy Love," "Can I Count on Your Love?," and some of her solo numbers. We also love the song she wrote for Marvin called "Down in the Cellar." Marvin didn't seem to consider that particular tune one of his personal career highlights, but we think it's pretty cool. Someday it would be great to see Marv and sister Patty on stage again doing some of their killer duets. Meanwhile, I'm hoping some rockabilly record company gets busy recording both of these talented Rainwaters and puts some new material on the market pronto! This year's other main attraction from the Golden Age of rockabilly was the great Wanda Jackson, who also tore the place apart with a scorching set of her 1950s classics. The Cadillacs, Big Sandy, the Blue Star Boys, and the great Texas chanteuse Martí Brom were among the top acts on this year's main stage. Now preparing for its fifth year, VLV is now said to be the world's largest and most important gathering for fans of this art form. If you've never attended, I would strongly recommend it to anyone with even a moderate interest in rockabilly, vintage country, original rock-n-roll - and even some of the more "city-fied" strains of American music like doo-wop and swing. This annual "Rockabilly Woodstock" provides the best of all possible entertainment worlds. Fans from all over Europe, Japan, and beyond flock to VLV for rare performances by the music's original creators, which are staged along with sets by the hottest contemporary rockabilly acts. Even if you don't want to catch all of the acts, there's plenty of other stuff to do in Las Vegas at any hour of the day or night. But for true-blue rockabilly/vintage country fans, there's really nothing that can top the experience of watching legendary performers rock the socks off a hot-and-bothered crowd amid the 24:7 glitz and debauchery found only in Vegas. Viva Las Vegas is also partly an impromptu fashion show, showcasing everything the thrift store has to offer in 1950s-style get-ups: pegged pants, two-tone shoes, zoot suits, tattoos everywhere (literally), coveralls, smile-pocket cowboy shirts, rolled-up Levis, etc. And of course, there's the hair: beehives, bobs, Pompadours, flat tops, pig tails, crew cuts, and more - most of it shellacked down with an Exxon Valdez-size load of petrolatum. Other VLV highlights include a pre-1960 hot rod show sponsored by The Shifters car club, scads of vendors selling vintage clothes and memorabilia, and a whole separate performance zone operated by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. This is a much more informal jam session where legends, up-and-comers, and wannabes share the limelight. This year, Ray Campi, Glen Glenn, Johnny Legend, Billy Swan, and others did sets there. The only problem is schedule overlap and the tough decisions that go along with having too much of a good thing available all at once. A lot of VLV attendees are fixtures on the LA rockabilly scene and all seem to know each other. Some come more to ogle each other's outfits than to listen to music. But most of the attendees, especially those from Europe and Japan, are committed to the music and the legends like Marvin Rainwater who helped invent it. VLV is playing a huge part in keeping the music alive, giving a new generation of fans the chance to see living legends on stage like Janis Martin, Curtis Gordon, Lew Williams, Mac Curtis, Sonny Burgess, Ronnie Dawson, and more. If you truly care about this music, there is nothing to equal the experience of seeing these performers interact with a packed house of crazed fans. Few of the original rockabillies - at least those still with us today - enjoyed much large-scale commercial success while they were actively recording, and their musical careers have often been hampered by frustrations, disappointments, rip-offs, and lost opportunities. For the true-blue fan, VLV is an opportunity to give back to these performers a fraction of the good feelings they have given us through their records. It's hard to describe, but the bond between performer and spectator at VLV is almost palpable…there's electricity in the air, lumps in the throat, and even the occasional tear in the eye - all that might not sound like too much fun, but trust me, it is! And when these older performers cut loose, look out because they can still rock! They have set the bar extremely high for today's performers carrying on the tradition. Stars like Big Sandy & the Fly Rite Boys, Deke Dickerson, Ray Condo, Martí Brom, Josie Kruezer, Kim Lenz, and many others are not only carrying on the tradition, they are taking the music in new directions. All have appeared at Viva Las Vegas and have large loyal followings of their own. If VLV 2001 is any indication, the music we all love is thriving better than ever before. Thanks to performances like Marvin's, I'm sure it will continue to do so for a long time to come. Keep rocking, Marvin! A Real Rockabilly Legend..... Marvin Rainwater (Photo by Mike MacRae) PS. Plans are underway for VLV 5, which will take place Easter weekend 2002 at the Gold Coast. The VLV website, www.vivalasvegas.net , is currently being updated but will soon have all the info you need to register, book a room, and view information from prior weekenders. Rooms go extremely quickly at the Gold Coast and its sister hotels during VLV, and VLV itself sells out prior to the show. It's smart to book early if you plan to attend. Mike MacRae Invites Your Comments click above Back To Marvin Rainwater Country Music Legend