Everyone is invited to The Vegas Tenors concert on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. at the West Las Vegas Arts Center. These four professional musicians, Lou Ragland, Freddie Empire, Lambus Dean and Latif Shadi, have performed as lead singers in some of the best-known performing groups in the world. Admission is free. The center is located at 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. The event is sponsored by the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services. For more information or directions to the West Las Vegas Arts Center, call (702) 229-4800.
Singer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer and studio engineer Ragland was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He became leader of Lou Ragland & the Bandmasters and released a single, “Never Let Me Go / Party In Lesters,” on the Cleveland-based Way Out label in the early ’60s. Now 66, Ragland has performed and recorded for many labels and groups over the years. He moved to Las Vegas in 1980, and in 1986, he joined George Holmes’ Ink Spots as the guitarist and background singer, touring with them for awhile. He helped form The Vegas Tenors in 2006.
Empire was born in Chicago and raised in New York, but his heart belongs to song. He has performed all over the world, including top hotel/casinos in Las Vegas. He recorded an album with Rare Bullet Records and has since established his own recording studio and label, in addition to being an original member of The Vegas Tenors group.
Dean began his professional singing career in 1977 in Chicago. In addition to his personal singing career, Dean dances, acts, writes and produces. He has portrayed legendary musicians Sam Cooke and Sammy Davis Jr. in theatrical productions and tribute groups. In 1998, he relocated to Las Vegas and became one of the lead vocalists in “A Touch of Silk.” The group performed at the Riviera Hotel & Casino for more than a year. He continues to act in local productions and is an original member of The Vegas Tenors.
Shadi is a former member of Zola Taylor’s Platters and a founding member of The Vegas Tenors.