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REAL VEGAS PEOPLE: Stevie Dunham – “The Don of Vinyl”

Tough-guy singer/songwriter/producer is committed to keeping doo-wop and other oldies alive. Just do what he says.

It’s widely known that Las Vegas was once run by organized crime. These days, corporations like MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment have taken control, not necessarily for the better. Although they’ve yielded power to bean counters, mobsters have become inseparable from “Vintage Vegas” history. One local resident still channels a glamorized image of “The Don”. His name is Stevie Dunham, and he’s a really sweet guy. Just follow his “suggestions” and you’ll be fine. Ya hear?

Lovable Stevie enjoys poking fun at his tough-guy persona. A talented voice-over artist, he records comical messages to other Vegas entertainers and tongue-in-cheek monologues in a distinctive mafioso style. Behind the scenes, he may be Sin City’s biggest promoter of the music genre known as “doo-wop”.

Dunham with Little Anthony, wife Diann, and grandson Michael

On July 21st, Dunham will celebrate thirty-five years in the music industry. His Street Corner Entertainment Records backs several pros, including the legendary “Little Anthony” Gourdine (of The Imperials). At 82 years old, Little Anthony continues to perform. His latest release is a two-volume set entitled “Little Anthony & The Music – An Anthology“.

Other artists in the lengthy Street Corner Entertainment roster are The Classic Sounds, The Chaperones, Mike Miller and Harmony Street, tenor Joel Katz, and E’Stefano DiSanto. You might recognize DiSanto’s name from our Best of/Worst of 2022 column as the year’s “Most Driven Entertainer”.

E’Stefano DiSanto, Stevie Dunham (center) and singer Frankie Pizarro at Portnoy Gallery

DiSanto reflects on what Dunham told him a while back:

“‘You are one of the best male vocalists that I have seen in twenty years in Vegas. I want to do a recording project with you. You are going to be the new face of Oldies Music.’ E’Stefano recalls him saying “One year later I got a distribution offer from Stevie Dunham and Street Corner Entertainment Records.”

“Stevie is known as the “Don of Vinyl” because he works hard and knows the music history. He believed in me and now I am on over three hundred radio stations around the world. Stevie is always grinding, opening doors, and making things happen. I am overjoyed by the love and support he gives.”

“Unlike other Record Labels, SCE is not just a business. It is a family. We all help each other out, and Stevie’s the Big Brother in the industry!”

The most surprising name in Stevie’s roster of performers may be Dunham himself. A two-time inductee into the Las Vegas Entertainers Hall of Fame, the singer received accolades for his tenure with The Chaperones (“Cruise to the Moon”) and The Nitekings. He eventually served on the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors.

DiSanto told VEGAS 411 that Stevie is “one of the best technical singers you will ever hear.” He has performed with many national and international acts. His vocal group The Emerald Dreams had a big fan with Italian lounge singer Sonny King. Best known as Jimmy Durante’s sidekick and an “unofficial member” of the Rat Pack, King reportedly followed Dunham and the Emerald Dreams wherever they played.

From left – host Ron Garrett, singer Mark O’Toole, Dunham and artist Neal Portnoy

A frequent guest on Ron Garrett‘s fabulous Las Vegas Rocks radio show, Stevie Dunham is passionate about keeping the oldies alive. Along with representing classic and upcoming talent, he possesses what’s rumored to be the largest collection of music on vinyl in the country. So not only does “The Don of Vinyl” make it possible for oldies to be enjoyed by new generations, he’s preserving them for posterity.

Longtime friends know that there’s no such thing as a short conversation with Stevie. Sit down to chat and you’ll soon be awash in colorful stories of good times on the east coast, memories of working with legendary recording stars, and tales of the glory days of doo-wop.

Lilly (left) and her new pal Cosmo 

Although he likes to poke fun at his tough-guy persona, the former New Yorker has dropped hints at a distant, shady past. There are some moments in his youth that he isn’t necessarily proud of, but Stevie’s spent decades making amends. One of those good deeds was adopting Lily, an adorable little lady who was found wandering the streets of downtown Las Vegas earlier this year. Lilly quickly became friends with Stevie’s pal Cosmo and is now enjoying the life of a queen.

As you might expect, Dunham and his wife Diann are familiar faces on the live entertainment scene. Although he doesn’t perform very often these days, Stevie will occasionally grab the microphone on Saturday nights during “The Pass By”, a weekly variety showcase at Henderson’s The Pass Casino.

Hosted by E’Stefano DiSanto, “The Pass By” has been such a success that it’s spawned a prequel of sorts. The Primetime Show will also run at The Pass Casino at 7 pm on Saturdays. DiSanto describes it as “Vegas Returns Vintage”. The premiere takes place on July 29th and will double as a birthday celebration for Stevie Dunham. For that night only, admission will be free to guests enrolled in the casino’s Player’s Junction Card program.

For those who long for the “olden days”, it sometimes feels like good times have disappeared in the rearview mirror. Even though the face of Sin City has changed dramatically, there’s still a vintage vibe beating at its heart. People like Stevie Dunham know that embracing the past makes us better going forward. So pay attention and do what the Don says. Happy birthday, buddy.

To learn more about Stevie Dunham, visit Street Corner Entertainment here. The Pass Casino is located at 140 South Water Street in Henderson, Nevada, a short drive from the Las Vegas Strip. 

 

 

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