Wives. More credit is almost always due.

Why is it that sometimes you need to receive a text from someone to motivate you to take action and say something? Well, last night was no exception. I received a text from a friend that struck some emotion in me that made me reflect on my current situation. This in turn has motivated me to say something.

Here is my "something". I have been married to Joanna for over 10 years. For the majority of those 10 years, we have worked closely together in the entertainment business furthering my career. Joanna was responsible for booking the majority of my tour dates years ago when I was on the road. Performing over 200 dates a year on the road was challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally for me. But it was always a sacrifice for "tomorrow". We wanted to raise a family together and now have 3 beautiful daughters. I seem to be busier than ever. Financially we are substantially better off, but the sacrifice still continues as the show needs a lot of my attention now in regards to re-design, promotion, etc.

Joanna's role in the business has become less important as her time in being a mother is escalating. Our children are ages 4 and a half, 2 and a half, and 6 months old. This house is busy!! I am seriously outnumbered. I know that sometimes Joanna feels bad that she cannot help me in the business as it is more demanding now on me than it EVER has been when I was on the road. I miss her help because she 'gets' the business. She has a keen understanding when it comes to my show and my vision. These are all important elements, but they can be hired out. I can hire anyone to do her job.

But as a mom, she cannot be replaced. Our children are brilliant, beautiful, kind, and funny. They have such a natural quest for knowledge and a confidence in themselves that has been instilled since birth. Joanna loves our children so much, and she is such an amazing mother, that I could not imagine anyone else raising them so well. Children who have full time attention from their mothers seemed to have an edge in confidence and a jumpstart on life.

The first half a dozen years are so crucial in the development of children that being nurtured in this process is so important. There will always be work to do in the business. I know that I have been so swamped and sometimes cannot contribute as much as I would like to being a great father. I know I am a great father, but when looking at Joanna as a mother in comparison, I need to pick it up a few notches.

Being great at entertainment is not easy. Being a great father is not easy. Being great at life is not easy. Being a great husband is not easy. Having a wife that quaterbacks the entire family unit is priceless. Joanna deserves more credit than she ever gets. Joanna, you're a great mom and you deserve tons of good karma. I know that your children make you smile, laugh, cry, and love. I know that you are proud of them, and you should definately be proud of yourself. Our baby has a shirt that says, "My Mommy Rocks!" It couldn't be more true.

Marc

Vern Morain - Super Fan

I just wanted to take the time to mention someone who has been an amazing support to us here at Mesmerized. Vern Morain starting attending Mesmerized in February 2007 and has attended over 70 shows since then. Vern is what we call a Super Fan.

He comes to the show alone, and sometimes with a guest. He has NEVER volunteered to be hypnotized and I tease him that one day we will get him up there. Vern had seen the show several times before he finally introduced himself to us. Now, he says hi everytime he attends. He is such a kind and wonderful man.

Thanks Vern for all your support.

Marc

How do I go from Danny Gans' performance to American Storm Male Revue?

So last night I was invited to go see Danny Gans at Encore/Wynn Resorts. Danny is a long time Vegas performer, he started at Stratosphere, moved to the Rio, then to the Mirage for a long time, and then now has re-opened at Encore.

The Encore showroom is where Spamalot played for a while, prior to that, Avenue Q was in that same showroom. So, anyways we get invited to attend to grand opening. So my wife Joanna and I go along with David Saxe and his wife Alana. Our intent was to go do dinner first, then go to Gans' show. David had to coach his son's basketball game and could not make it to dinner. So my wife and I went out for dinner without them. Joanna and I have not been out for dinner since our last baby has been born and many months prior to that. Maybe 8-9 months? That is what happens when the baby is nursing and she has just been too young to leave with anyone.

So anyways, we went for dinner at Maggiano's in Fashion Show Mall accross from Wynn Resort. Maggiano's Little Italy has wonderful food, and has a great authentic Italian feel and ambience, up until our waiter with a Russian accent showed up to serve us. LOL. Chuck, the accordian player, added a great vibe for all the dinner guests as well. I ordered Chicken Marsala, and Joanna order Lobster Linguini. Very tasty indeed.

After dinner we went over to Encore to meet up with David and Alana for the show. We grabbed the tickets, and sat down in the theater. The showroom was unbelievable. Incredible lighting, LED wall at the back, and awesome sound. The show was vintage Danny Gans. Super polished and very tight. Danny for the most part is dead on with his impersonations, but I find he struggles with some of the newer ones. His cntemporary music impressions were mediocre. I felt the strongest part of the show was his Al Pacino impression from Scent of a Woman. Awesome.

After the show, we were invited to the VIP after party. Many celebrities were in attendance. Rita Rudner, Louie Anderson, Tim Poster, Tom Breitling, Norm Clarke from the Review Journal, Alicia Jacobs from Channel 3, Monti Rock III, George Maloof and many more. The after party was hosted at Blush, and sadly, it was lame, so we left.

So David tells me that he has to meet someone at the V Theater at Planet Hollywood. This is the theater that I perform Mesmerized in. On Friday nights at 10pm (my night off) and Saturday at 11:30pm after my show, the male revue American Storm performs in the V Theater. So, we go to the V Theater for his meeting and then plan to go get a bite to eat and a few drinks. Well, we step into the theater and there are 250 women screaming their heads off for the muscle guys. I have never seen anything so nuts. Wow. Is that all I need is abs and they'll go crazy at my show? Wow. I have to add crunches to my daily tasks, haha.

It was hysterical to watch this display of kookiness! Unbelievable. Our wives had some much fun, we ended up not leaving at all. I am embarassed to admit that I stayed to watch an entire performance of American Storm. Ok, not that embarassed. It was actually pretty fun. Watching 250 horny women lose all sense of composure in a theater for 5 naked men was hilarious.

The male revue ended, and the assistant producer/manager Alex Schecter dragged Joanna and Alana up to the stage to get their photos taken with the Storm boys. So, now my wife is a proud owner of a Polaroid with her, Alana and 5 naked ripped men. Nice. Maybe we can frame it up over the fireplace? Haha.

So, we decided to end the night there, and grabbed a quick snack, came home to relieve the babysitter. I did 3000 sit-ups, and went straight to bed.

Marc

Hanging with Mr. Top. Carrot Top that is.

So last week on my night off, my wife and I were invited to go see Carrot Top's performance at the Luxor here in Las Vegas.

I have seen Carrot Top a few times, but never at the Luxor. We attend the show, John Padon was the opening act. A great comic with sharp wit, has been performing in Las Vegas for many years. At one point being the regular sepecialty act in X Girls. Topless girls and comedy? Who wouldn't love that.

So, Joanna and I go to the show, John had a great set, everyone loved him. Then Carrot Top came out. He is hysterical. I know some of you are thinking, "Carrot Top? Seriously?" He is one of my favorites. His live show is different than his TV stuff, and he has some pretty creative routines. I laughed pretty hard. I needed the laughs, as work has been grueling with lots of projects going on lately.

So, after the show, we were invited backstage to hang out. Carrot Top, who always introduces himself as Scott Thompson, was a gracious host backstage. He has always been very kind and soft spoken and I have enjoyed the times that we have talked. On the night that we were backstage, some members of the band Pantera were there as well. Nice guys too. We enjoyed a drink or two hanging out, then went home.

On the drive home, I was starving!! I rarely eat at McDonald's, but that night, I decided to bend the rules. I shouldn't have. Ugh. Micky D's makes me feel shitty. I should have kept with the theme of the night and went home and ate carrots.

Marc

Birthday and Farewell Party at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino

I have been away from blogging for quite some time. My workload has been crazy and unfortnately blogging has been set to the back burner. I am back now, and going to try and keep up as best I can.

So, last night, I attended a birthday party of a dear friend and past employee. Jessica Johnson worked for my company for the first run of my show Mesmerized. She is a loyal, caring, and sweet, sweet person. Anyone would be lucky to have her in their life. Jessica turned #$&%#@$#% years old. Wow!

This birthday party was also a sort of farewell party for her too. Jess has decided to move back to Michigan to be closer to her immediately family as her sister has young children and being closer to them is of much importance. I understand completely, however, I have a feeling she will be back in Vegas. :-)

The party was a lot of fun. It was nice to see some old friends that I have not seen in a while as well as some business acquaintences. Roman Peek, Matt Phillips, Stephanie Simmons, Jason Abbott, Jeannine Raspitha, Scott Robertson, Vivian Krouse, Captain Morgan, and many more of my friends. :-)

Marc