This nomination form for Hyman Gold to receive the Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts gives details about Gold's many musical accomplishments, as well as his service to the community.
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Oral history interview with Lon Bronson conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 23, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bronson discusses his early life in Keene, New Hampshire, and his initial interest in music. Bronson talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1985, the musical scene in the city at the time, and the musician’s union strike of 1989. He describes when casino shows switched from live musicians to prerecorded music, and the shortage of jobs for musicians after that decision. Lastly, Bronson discusses the current entertainment scene in Las Vegas.
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Oral history interview with Bruce Anderson conducted by Claytee D. White on October 03, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Anderson discusses his career as a jazz musician. He begins by talking about his upbringing in Evansville, Indiana, his early interest in being a musician, his family's involvement with music through their church, learning to play the piano and the clarinet from an early age, completing high school and later enlisting in the United States Air Force, where he was able to grow and extend his skills as an ensemble musician. He describes leaving the armed forces and returning to Indiana, moving soon after he received a job offer in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He continues, talking about the wide range of venues he played, from conventions to high-end nightclubs, and closes by discussing the many different musicians and influences he met throughout his life.
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Oral history interview with Robert Shipley conducted by Claytee D. White on October 15, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Shipley discusses his early life in Chicago, Illinois and upbringing as a musician. Shipley recalls being the drummer for The Emotions, Natalie Cole, and performing at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about the special treatment musicians had, and the respect that Steve Wynn had for performers. Lastly, Shipley remembers performing for Diana Ross, the challenges he faced as an African American musician, and his decision to retire.
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Oral history interview with Billy Root conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May 14, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Root begins by discussing his upbringing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he developed an early interest in being a musician due to encouragement from his father, who was also a musician. He describes playing baritone saxophone in the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing at the Apollo Theater in Ella Fitzgerald's orchestra, and going on tour with a predominantly African American jazz band in the Southern United States during segregation. Root details his interactions and impressions of various celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, attending Playboy parties, and eventually deciding to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses working as a professional musician in Las Vegas, where he performed in such casinos as the Dunes and the Desert Inn. He concludes by discussing his retirement and his family.
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Oral history interview with Maynard Sloate conducted by Joyce Moore on June 12, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Sloate discusses his early life in Los Angeles, California and his career as a jazz drummer. He remembers performing at the Tropicana, the Union Plaza, and becoming an entertainment director for production shows. Sloate describes the increases in price to attend a show in Las Vegas, and the use of taped music instead of live musicians. Lastly, Sloate talks about the challenges in making a career as a musician.
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