Stevie's Career

[enchanted]

How much longer can Stevie fill the smaller venues until she has to settle for doing Vegas ????? I LOVE her but she can't fill larger venues any longer.

[petep9000]

She's been doing Vegas for several years now. I think what we're going to see are more pairings of her with other artists like she did with Petty, Henley and Isaac. Somehow, I don't see her as a short, opening act. Equal billing, or she probably won't do it. I'd see her home wrapped up in a cashmere blanket with the air con turned down to 50 and the fireplace blazing, comfy and content in retirement rather than tour as someone's opener.

[belladonnadream]

Originally Posted by petep9000

She's been doing Vegas for several years now. I think what we're going to see are more pairings of her with other artists like she did with Petty, Henley and Isaac. Somehow, I don't see her as a short, opening act. Equal billing, or she probably won't do it. I'd see her home wrapped up in a cashmere blanket with the air con turned down to 50 and the fireplace blazing, comfy and content in retirement rather than tour as someone's opener.

True!!!LOL!

[enchanted]

Originally Posted by belladonnadream

True!!!LOL!

I agree ....I wasn't trying to imply that she would be an opening act......she is an icon!!!!!!

[UnwindedDreams]

I'd have to say that out of all the female rockers:
Pat Benatar
Joan Jett
The Pretenders
Patti Smith
Heart
Debbie Harry
Blondie

Stevie brings in the most.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by enchanted

How much longer can Stevie fill the smaller venues until she has to settle for doing Vegas ?????

"Settle for Vegas"? Girlfriend was in Celine Dion's theater probably with access to Celine's "apartment" at Caesar's. Stephanie ain't showing up unless it's posh. She doesn't have to.

[michelej1]

Oh, I think Stevie would have to "settle" if she did Vegas regularly. If Caesar's had offered her a contract, as they did Cher, Bette and Elton, I think she would have taken it. I always imagined that Stevie's stints at Caesar's were like an "audition" for a longer term gig. I wonder if one of the bigger hotels would use her more than 3-4 times a year, which wouldn't be enough to make a living. If she wanted more steady Vegas revenue, she'd have to perform at a smaller venue, maybe a bit off the strip, not in the Caesar's Palace ilk.

Michele

[strandinthewind]

It was no secret that Ceasar's was in heavy negotiations with La Nicks in 2005 for a permanent gig in CD's theater. It was not to be an all year thing, but more like a guest appearance every few months or a set number of days a year. Many people around here heard the band members say that. I believe Stevie herself said it in an interview, but I do not know that for sure. Maybe something about touring getting harder as you get older?

Clearly, she could sell. I mean, though she is popular amongst the older crowd, when was the last hit the Divine Ms. M had and how many youngsters even know who she is?

So, I think that is Stevie wanted to do a Vegas act, she has the clout to pull it off. I think she does not want to do it - at least not now.

[UnwindedDreams]

Originally Posted by michelej1

If she wanted more steady Vegas revenue, she'd have to perform at a smaller venue, maybe a bit off the strip, not in the Caesar's Palace ilk.

It'll be a cold day in hell when that happens.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by UnwindedDreams

It'll be a cold day in hell when that happens.

Exactly - and, anectdotal evidence suggests she can sell given that she is playing or has played casinos outside of Vegas this and last year - mostly to great fanfare. And, those casinos are not in the people magnet known as Las Vegas.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

It was no secret that Ceasar's was in heavy negotiations with La Nicks in 2005 for a permanent gig in CD's theater. It was not to be an all year thing, but more like a guest appearance every few months or a set number of days a year. Many people around here heard the band members say that. I believe Stevie herself said it in an interview, but I do not know that for sure. Maybe something about touring getting harder as you get older?

Clearly, she could sell. I mean, though she is popular amongst the older crowd, when was the last hit the Divine Ms. M had and how many youngsters even know who she is?

I think more youngsters know who Bette Midler is than know who Stevie is, but youngsters are not who you need to attract for Vegas anyway. Well, Vegas skews young and old. So, both age groups can work there, but I just mean Caesar's didn't hire Bette for her ability to bring young people in. I think she got it because she has such a history with Vegas and also combines "jokes" with music and provided somewhat of a contrast to Cher and Elton.

Cher's gig is for, I don't even know, but they publicized it when she signed. Something like 300 shows over a two year period or 265 shows over a 3 year period, or something very finite like that. It gives her both a lot of money and a lot of flexibility.

I agree with you that it is clear Stevie could sell. But it's not clear to me that she could sell the BIG hotel venues week in and week out. Michele

[ontheEdgeof17]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

So, I think that is Stevie wanted to do a Vegas act, she has the clout to pull it off. I think she does not want to do it - at least not now.

Personally, I think she's too lazy to do an upscale Vegas gig that would generate buzz and excitement. I don't think she has it in her to hit mainstream again and create a smash hit that would conjure up new fans. She's too set in her ways and content with nostalgia.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Exactly - and, anectdotal evidence suggests she can sell given that she is playing or has played casinos outside of Vegas this and last year - mostly to great fanfare. And, those casinos are not in the people magnet known as Las Vegas.

The Vegas test is not whether you can sell one-off concerts, but whether you can consistently sell out consecutive dates. So, you're not really attracting your own fans anymore, but you have to attract those business travelers who are just passing through and want to catch any show. The difference in sales between Stevies's weekend shows in Vegas and the ones that occurred during the week would probably be a starting barometer to test her draw. So, look at the sales from Caesar's Palace on Tuesday compared to Saturday.

But the best test would be to have her in one place for 2 weeks at a time and see how that does.

Michele

[ontheEdgeof17]

She could sooo sell out the Imperial Palace stage!

[UnwindedDreams]

Oh My God, that is so horrible to think about. That place is such a dive. She could definitely sell out the Hilton for the rest of her life.