The latest UNLV Gaming Podcast is up; it’s an interview with Aria Resort and Casino President and COO Bill McBeath. A Las Vegas native and UNLV alum, McBeath has had an interesting career, to say the least, and has worked for some of the biggest names in the business—Michael Gaughan, Steve Wynn, and Kirk Kerkorian. As the man responsible for opening the Strip’s latest casino, he gives a unique perspective on the behind-the-scenes drama of launching a new property.
As always, you can listen via iTunes or on the UNLV Gaming Podcast page. For that matter, here’s the direct link:
March 10,2010: Bill McBeath, President & COO of the Aria Resort & Casino
Look for some more interview-style podcasts in the near future–I have a few good ones planned. We’ve got three traditional, lecture-style ones scheduled as well.
It was really good of Mr. McBeath to tell the fans at Die Is Cast his story. After listening to this podcast I Googled him and saw his photo on the Sun website. It’s good to see such a young looking guy in charge of that great, new hotel. He’s an excellent speaker. Very calm and knowledgeable, with lots of amazing experience. It’s no wonder Mr. Gaughan, Wynn and Kirkorian chose him to work with them.
Another terrific interview on the part of Dr. Schwartz.
Very informative interview. McBeath has a good voice and speaking style. I do wonder if he is willing to fight with the other MGM casino presidents in the same manner he promotes among his subordinates?
My first impression of the new music is lukewarm, at best. It seems too mellow and academic. This may be an academic podcast, but I still like the Vegasy, big-band intro. I’g guessing two phone calls would get you the instrumental from the “Aces High” TV show, as portrayed in the Major Motion Picture “Casino”.
I was going for a more quiet and refined vibe with the music. Maybe it’s a little too quiet? Hopefully it grows on you. Interesting song, because it’s a John Coltrane tune played in a neo-ragtime style, at least for a while.
Listen to samples and maybe buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Jelly-Roll-Joys-Dave-Burrell/dp/B000001K1F
I was considering 3 tracks from this CD–A.M. Rag, Moment’s Notice, and Giant Steps. I don’t know why, but Moment’s Notice sounded right to me.
I just took a listen to all three of these songs. I liked ‘AM Rag’ but ‘Moment’s Notice’ actually seems to have a more ‘introductory feel’ by starting out a bit more gradually. All of them sound good to me.
BTW: I’m currently practicing some Dean Martin songs on the harmonica (Sway, Return to Me, Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime and a few others). ‘Sway’ sounds good on a harmonica because it harmonica sounds similar to the Italian accordian (sp?) used on the actual recording.
Maybe after a few months of practice I’ll be ready to perform at Thomas & Mack and start doing radio jingles. Harmonica is so much fun now (not like when I first tried it as a teen with no place to go for lessons). Now, the Internet has plenty of harmonica websites which show you what holes to blow into. Within just a few weeks the method sinks into a person’s subconscious and they can start playing without consciously thinking about it and can start figuring out the notes to songs themself.
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Slightly off-topic. Sorry. But that’s what ‘harmonica-enthusiasm’ does to a person. Plus, there are no harmonica blogs to share the joy of playing. So, I posted here.
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