The Four Kings perform at the MGM

Rhythm and Blues legends Ben E. King, Loyd Price, Jerry Butler and Gene Chandler proved there is a market for music of the 60's. The four legends performed at MGM's Hollywood Theater in July. King, remembered for his recording of Save The Last Dance For Me with The Drifters, is popular for his solo hit Spanish Harlem and the remake of Stand By Me.

CW from top left: Loyd Price, Gene Chandler, Ben E. King, Jerry Butler

Loyd Price, always bringing the audience up with his "Mr. Personality," was responsible for bringing the show billed as The Four Kings to the MGM. Lawdy Miss Clawdy became Price's first R&B; single to ever reach both the top of the Billboard and R&B; music charts. Almost a half century later it is the most recorded song in the rock and roll R&B; genre.

Jerry Butler, who founded The Impressions with their debut single Your Precious Love, is not only a prolific speaker, but knows how to present a song. During his solo career singing such hits as He Will Break Your Heart and Moon River, Butler said he's been fortunate to have more good times than bad times in his life. His message to all people basically deals with prayer and looking at oneself. "I cried because I had no shoes 'til I saw a man who had no feet," Butler states. "A person has to look to his innerself to make that connection with the creator. That will get him over most of the hurdles that they face in their lives." In conclusion Butler said "Prayer without work is fruitless. No matter how much you pray, you gotta put some work with it."

From left: Bill Medley, Gene Chandler, Pete Allman, Sonny Turner

Gene Chandler, known for the hit Duke of Earl and such songs as Rainbow and Man's Temptation with the help of The Impression's Curtis Mayfield, was a joy to see, with his grand sense of showmanship and a versatile selection of songs.

John Salley and Peter Allman.

The Black Sports Agents Association founded by the Reverend Jesse Jackson in 1996 is a premier international professional organization of international sports agents and managers whose goals are to promote ethical principles while increasing the credibility and visibility of African-American player represenatatives. Andre Farr, the Chairman of BSAA directed their first Music and Sports Awards Special at C2K Showroom in the Venetian. The weekend's activities, held at the Venetian and The Hard Rock Hotel, addressed college students and professional managers with various seminars on the economics of sports.

Shaquille O'Neal with Tischa Campbell, Lisa Rae and Tichina Arnold.

Tichina Arnold and Tischa Campbell from Martin along with actress Lisa Rae and Chris Spencer enjoyed the festivities as well as basketball great John Salley and Shaquille O'Neal. Performances by Genuwine and Destiny's Child were extraordinary, both at The Hard Rock Hotel and at BSAA's Music and Sports Awards.

Destiny's Child

Genuwine

Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather, Erik Dickerson, now hosting ABC's Monday Night Sports, Jerome Bettes, Sugar Shane Mosley and his father Jack Mosley were some of the major sports personalities who attended the weekend's festivities.

Floyd Mayweather

Word has it that Lake Las Vegas is the place where some major stars are considering relocating to.

The Hyatt Lake Las Vegas is a convenient location for entertaining, not to mention their spa facilities. Executive Chef Jim Palmeri assured me that their two restaurants, Japengo and Cafe Tajine, serving Moroccan and Asian/Pacific Rim dishes respectively, give any restaurant on the "Strip" a run for their money. The cuisine is prepared in a contemporary fashion, and served in a Moroccan setting and atmosphere that you will not soon forget.