William “Billy” Christ, born in 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, is an accomplished bass player. His parents, Louis and Estemia Christ, were both from Albania and immigrated to Detroit in 1929. Christ’s father was a restaurant owner and his mother worked alongside his father in the restaurant business. Billy started playing the bass in high school and studied with the Detroit Symphony. Billy decided at an early age that he wanted to become a full-time musician. He attended Wayne University to study music and after two years he decided to join the Gene Krupa Band in New York. While living in New York, Billy had the good fortune to play at historical venues such as Apollo Theater, Copacabana, and Bop City. After only a few years, he left New York to join Lena Horne in San Francisco and then Billy made his way to Las Vegas in 1960. Christ’s first job in Las Vegas was on the strip at the Flamingo with the Russ Black Orchestra. Performing in Las Vegas allowed Billy to gain greater access to talented musicians and the opportunity learn from these virtuosos. As a result, Billy quickly matured into a skillful bass player and ultimately went on to work with legendary greats like Paul Anka, Tony Benett, Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. Billy currently lives in Las Vegas and performs weekly at The College of Southern Nevada on Wednesday nights. He has been married to his wife Alene since 1958. When asked about his philosophy on life, Billy responded, “I try not to worry about things and just take it a day at a time and try to be the best person I can be. And play every day.”

Laurie Brower interviews Miriam Belmont (b. 1923), who moved to Nevada in 1928, at her home in Las Vegas. Brower, Belmont, and Belmont’s son are all present during the entirety of the interview. During the interview Belmont discusses her move to Las Vegas, various occupations, education, addresses, church involvement, Hoover Dam, famous people, atomic testing, Old Ranch Country Club in Southern California, and the ways in which Las Vegas had changed since she first arrived.

Personal history of Las Vegas through the eyes of a public servant. Growing up in Las Vegas during the 1940s. Education history and childhood memories. Downtown. Experiences in the US Air Force: flying B-47s loaded with nuclear bombs; training. NV Test Site. Family jewelry business in Las Vegas. Election to the board of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Election to the Las Vegas City Council and the beginning of a career in politics. Jam auction. Tussle with the Clark County Commission over wastewater in the valley: details of the dispute, extended to the state and Environmental Protection Agency. Move to the County Commission and why? The Mob during the 1950s and 60s. The Mormon community in Las Vegas. Howard Hughes. Experiences sitting on the County Commission. Chairman of the Convention Authority. Remarks on Las Vegas' future water supply. Election defeat. Corruption on the County Commission (Erin Kenny). Distinguished Nevadan award. County Hospital. Quick Care Centers. Opinion on the growth of Las Vegas. Speedway Children's Charities. Dina Titus. Experiences with African Americans. Lucy Stewart. Beaver, NV.

Paula Morey interviews a former Desert Inn pit boss, Robert Francis Bergin (b. 1891), at his residence (a motel room) on March 5, 1981. During the interview Bergin discusses his personal history, the opening of the Desert Inn and other casinos, the gambling industry, his visits to Cuba, Wilbur Clark, Howard Hughes, and women in gaming.

George Braver interviews John M. Beville (b. 1906) at his home in Las Vegas on March 11, 1981. Braver discusses his move to Nevada in 1926, his personal history, and early banking in Nevada leading up to modernized banking. Beville also discusses his personal experience in the banking business, working in Hollywood as a singer, and brings to the forefront key moments of his life in Nevada.

Rebecca Shurley interviews Lieutenant Colonel Jane A. Bigelow, born in Buffalo, New York in 1943, about her career as a nurse in the Air Force. Bigelow discusses her experiences mainly as a flight nurse and its unique challenges as well as her experiences in the intensive care unit during the Vietnam War. She provides details on her career progression from staff nurse to her then current position of chief nurse of the United States Air Force Hospital at Nellis Air Force Base. Bigelow also describes some of the educational requirements for becoming a nurse as well as the demands of the nursing profession.

Ted R. Murray interviews legal secretary Marsha Lamb Bingham (b. 1942) in her home about growth in Alamo, Nevada and living in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview Bingham discusses school in Alamo, general Nevada history, Warm Springs, Nevada Legislature, Fremont, gambling, UNLV, Las Vegas 1950s and 1960s growth, The Beatles, Rock and Roll, President Kennedy’s Las Vegas visit, Landmark Hotel, Howard Hughes, The Tropicana, The Hilton, atomic testing, Helldorado, McCarran Airport, and Floyd Lamb.