Radio veteran thinks he found a superstar
Mark DiCiero returns to the radio airwaves Monday morning with a co-host who is making her on-air debut.
DiCiero is convinced he has found another diamond in the rough in bartender Aimee Montgomery.
“She’s going to be a radio superstar,” predicts DiCiero, who met Montgomery two years ago at T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Resort, where she was a star bartender.
Things worked out spectacularly the last time DiCiero trusted his instincts. That turned into a highly successful 18-year Las Vegas run known as “Mark and Mercedes in the Morning” on KXMB-FM, 94.1 (The Mix).
They dominated the local ratings.
Starting Monday, DiCiero and Mercedes Martinez will be radio rivals. She was a receptionist at a Denver radio station in the 1990s when DiCiero recruited her to co-host with him.
Beasley Broadcast Group made it official this week: Their new station, KVGS-FM, 107.9, formerly Bob, will be helmed by DiCiero and Montgomery.
DiCiero is rarin’ to go after sitting on the sidelines because of a six-month noncompete clause after he left KXMB.
DiCiero said Montgomery stood out immediately as a prospect, even before he was looking for an on-air partner.
“She struck me as someone who would be great on radio. She had the traits you look for: She’s funny, likable, on top of the news and pop culture.”
DiCiero broached the subject with Montgomery about six months ago, when he decided to leave KXMB.
“My advice to her was: Don’t change a thing. Be you every day.”
Montgomery, 29, grew up in Ogdensburg, N.Y., near the Canadian border.
Her love of swimming in the St. Lawrence River led to her attending St. Bonaventure College. After her freshman year, she moved to Las Vegas to join her parents.
She has a 7-year-old son.
Her best celebrity moment?
“George Clooney came in one night and was having dinner in the private room,” she said. “I was 20 and working as a server then. We’re always told not to bug celebrities.”
But she couldn’t help herself and quietly asked Clooney if he would autograph something for her.
“He signed the entire table cloth,” she said.
SUMMER SURPRISES
I never imagined the summer surprise of the local entertainment scene would be a show inside a nightclub.
But “For the Record: Baz,” the party-startin’ combo of cabaret and rock concert at Mandalay Bay’s Light nightclub, definitely delivers. The Baz Luhrmann tribute incorporates nearly every level and corner of the former Rum Jungle.
My vote for the best solo show, in many moons, would go to Annaleigh Ashford’s “Lost in the Stars” last weekend at The Smith Center’s Cabaret Jazz. Ashford, fresh from winning a Tony for her role as Lauren in “Kinky Boots,” showcased her talent in the classic cabaret-style show. You came away convinced the future of Broadway is in good hands.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
The South Point has a red, white and blue lineup set for this Fourth of July weekend. The “American Trilogy” featuring tribute artists Justin Shandor as Elvis, Gary Anthony as Frank Sinatra and Rob Garrett as Neil Diamond will perform tonight through Sunday.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Macy’s has severed ties with Donald Trump and no longer will carry his menswear collection. From now on, men who want to look like Donald Trump will have to hunt and kill their own hair piece.” — Conan O’Brien
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more info at normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter.
