Local Musicians Union Books New Strip Shows

Most of us never thought we'd see gasoline to two dollars a gallon again. And Frank Leone never thought you would have two bands of 30 pieces on the strip again.

Leona is the president of 14 years of the Musicians Union of Las Vegas, Local 369. He has been waning membership of about 2,000 to about 600 in the years since a paralyzing confrontation by casinos to end "orchestra’s house "in 1989.



But now its members clocking to play "ShowStoppers" at Wynn Las Vegas and the new Sinatra tribute to Bob Anderson "Frank. - The Music Man" at the Palazzo.

"Business is curious as we know," says Leona with some understatement. "However, one of my mantras is that the live music validates an interpreter, and a lot of it validates even more," he adds with a smile.

If Celine Dion was not sitting all year, there would be another 70 nights with another full orchestra. In all three programs, the orchestra displayed prominently on stage. It is, indeed, an important point of sale of the three.

"The public knows they're getting the most out of their money as possible," says Leona. "Nobody should complain about the ticket price when they know they're getting 30 people."

It was not necessarily true in 1989, when some bands of the houses were relegated to a "well". Although the union took the pickets, some players could not deny two realities.

First, Las Vegas headliners were changing. The Sinatra era was giving way to independent bands like Chicago and The Moody Blues, or stars (including Dion in the early days), who prefers the continuity of his companions tourism.

Second, producing shows that they would "ribbon" It was not really going to the tape; Digital technology makes the sound quality engraving of a show like Cirque du Soleil "Ka" pretty amazing.

Leona does not deny the orchestras that give new shows bragging rights also weigh with huge overheads. Says Steve Wynn called personally to negotiate a contract "ShowStoppers."

Both for new shows, local board agreed 369 players fall down one level pay scale another way of looking at things "concessions level." "With the quid pro quo for the use of large forces." They're getting 12-piece string section (plus harp "Frank") for the price of a big band without conditions, Leone said.

The union also has 11 players on other shows with the band as a major feature "Jersey Boys." - "Pin Up" and Terry Fator among them - are non-binding. "We are not an aggressive union" in recruitment, says Leona. But the younger players are signing, attracted in part by the health benefits through the Culinary Union.