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Leaving 'Lost Vegas': Singers don't miss bright lights

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BY CARL ORTH

SUNCOAST NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR

Published: August 19, 2009

The Las Vegas economy was still flying high when husband-and-wife performers Bob and Jo Rae Stewart moved to the casino and entertainment mecca a few years ago.

Then came the crash.

The deep recession pretty much emptied many casinos and hotels of tourists. Las Vegas became Lost Vegas, a relative ghost town compared to the glory days.

So the Stewarts didn't miss the bright lights of Vegas very much when they recently moved back home to the Tampa Bay area where relatives and a faithful following of fans waited upon their return.

Jo Rae's sister, Ellen Turner, teamed up with them to perform in the trio True Passion. They will next appear Friday and Saturday at the Trio's Lounge at Quality Inn in New Port Richey.

Now they are busier than ever with a few hundred gigs during a typical year between local clubs, cruise lines and around the nation. Even a show in Mexico is scheduled in early 2010.

Bob Stewart had gained his claim to fame belting out many of the hits of his third cousin, Rod Stewart, along with a slew of other crowd-pleasing tunes. He knows about 600 songs in all.

He spoke about their narrow escape from the faltering Vegas scene.

"I nearly bought a house," Stewart said just before the devastating crash in the Vegas economy. "I would have been stuck."

Fortunately the Stewarts had been leasing a villa during their long sojourn in Vegas.

"I have a girlfriend (still) in Vegas and she couldn't find work," Jo Rae Stewart added.

The couple had become regular performers at Vegas fixtures such as the Frontier, Mandalay Bay, the Wind and many others.

Beneath the glitter, though, the Vegas grind had many quirks, the couple recalls. Some casinos don't want top talent such as the Stewarts because the concerts might draw customers away from slot machines.

Arriving before shows, it often took some 45 minutes for the performers to get through rigorous hotel security. Contract restrictions forbid the couple from mingling in the crowd during breaks.

Plus Jo Rae was flying back frequently to Tampa Bay to be with a sick relative.

She said she hated it in Vegas.

Vegas: It's a nice place to entertain, but he wouldn't want to live there, Stewart summed up.

Plus perhaps a bit homesick, they returned here to play a circuit of some 15 clubs in the area.

Turner added her vocal talents to True Passion. Over the years she has sang with Paul Anka, Tina Turner, Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and many other stars.

Now the Stewarts are dreaming about opening up their own night club in the area if they can find just the right location.

Years ago the couple had operated the Polo Club in Pinellas County.

So they are still going strong as they convert Tampa Bay into their own Las Vegas East.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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