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Gary Allan at House of Blues

WHO IS HE: When he was just 12 years old, country singer Gary Allan was already hitting the bars on the southern California honkytonk circuit with his father's band. By 1996, Allan had his own band, a recording contract with Decca and released his debut album, "Used Heart for Sale." In 2001, Allan scored his first No. 1 hit with "Man to Man" from the album "Alright Guy." 2005's "Tough All Over" was a Top 10 hit.

WHAT TO EXPECT: With his rugged voice, raw sex appeal and a personal life that includes two divorces, it's no wonder Allan has been breaking attendance records wherever he goes. The southern California native performed for more than a million people in 2006 and seems to be at home on stage. He has a loyal following that delights in the honesty of his lyrics, the purity of his storytelling and his willingness to take chances. Allan fans can look forward to hearing all of their favorite songs including "Her Man," "Best I Ever Had," "Smoke Rings in the Dark," "Songs About Rain," "Man to Man," "Nothing on But the Radio" and "Tough Little Boys," as well as more recent hits such as "Watching Airplanes," "She's So California" and his latest single, "Today."

WHAT'S NEW: Allan's new album, "Get Off On the Pain," will be released March 9. Its first single, "Today," was released in July.

WEB SITE: www.garyallan.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $37.50 and $42.50, and the show begins 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the House of Blues at Showboat Casino-Hotel.

 

Cheap Trick at Harrah's

WHO ARE THEY: Cheap Trick built its following the old-fashioned way, by constantly touring with a live show that highlighted its melodic, powerful rock. It was no surprise that its 1979 breakthrough album, "At Budokan," was a live release. The album stayed on the charts for more than a year, selling three million copies in the process thanks to the hit single "I Want You to Want Me," which was a Top 10 hit. Cheap Trick's next album, "Heaven Tonight," was another big seller and featured the hits "Voices" and "Dream Police." In 1988, the band released "Lap of Luxury," which was a platinum-selling Top 20 smash that included the No. 1 single "The Flame" along with a Top 10 remake of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel."

WHAT TO EXPECT: Although its commercial successes have gone up and down through the years, Cheap Trick has remained one of the most influential rock bands to emerge from the late 1970s. Its musical approach is rather straightforward, its image is unique and its live shows are what made its members stars. A 30th anniversary set commemorating "at Budokan" illustrates exactly why this group continues to influence other musicians. The band is also noteworthy for managing to maintain the same original lineup of singer Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Bun E. Carlos. Fans can expect to hear hits that span Cheap Trick's career such as "I Want You to Want Me," "Dream Police," "Voices" and "When the Lights Are Out."

WHAT'S NEW: Cheap Trick's latest album, appropriately titled "The Latest," was released in June and contains 13 tracks.

WEB SITE: www.cheaptrick.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35, $40 and $50, and the show begins 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at the Harrah's Resort Concert Venue.

 

Yiannis Ploutarhos at Resorts

WHO IS HE: Yiannis Ploutarhos is a Greek singer who released his debut album "Mono Esi" in 1998. The album contained the standout tracks "Mipos Ertheis" and "Enas Theos," but it wasn't until 2000 and the release of the album "Ipirxan Orkoi" that Ploutarhos' career took flight. His career continued to soar in 2001 with the release of "Mikres Fotografies," which sold more than 150,000 copies. The album wound up winning several awards at the 2002 Arion Music Awards. 2002 also saw the release of "Den Einai O Erotas ... Paidi Tis Logikis," which proved to be yet another hit for the Greek singer. In 2005, Ploutarhos embarked on his first overseas tour. The albums "Ola se sena ta vrika" and "Krimena mistika" soon followed, with each going double platinum.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Greek music fans are in for a real treat when star Ploutarhos takes the stage at Resorts Atlantic City's Superstar Theater on Saturday evening. Since the release of his debut album in 1998, Ploutarhos has built a sizeable following, won many awards and sold a ton of albums in his native Greece and internationally. Concertgoers can look forward to a show filled with all of Ploutarhos' hits and classics sung to perfection as only the man himself can.

WEB SITE: www.yiannisploutarhostour.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $90, $125, $150 and $185, and the show begins 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Resorts' Superstar Theater.

 

Kozak the Magician at Tropicana

WHO IS HE: Kozak the Magician began his career as a street performer in Pittsburgh and quickly rose to become a successful comedian and magician. Kozak headlined comedy clubs for years, eventually branching out to performing at casinos, colleges and corporate functions. Kozak even got an opportunity to perform for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the Palladium Theater in London. He is currently the host of "Atlantic City Plugged In."

WHAT TO EXPECT: A comedic night of magic is what one can expect from Kozak the Magician, who performs at the Tropicana Casino and Resort's Comedy Stop for an extended engagement. "Magic is a blend of art, science, history, philosophy, theology and psychology," says Kozak on his official Web site. "I bring these to the table along with a razor-sharp wit honed from years of improvisational experience in comedy clubs." Kozak is the type of performer who is always looking to exceed people's expectations. "I never promise more than I can deliver and I always deliver more than I promised," Kozak adds. "My greatest joy is performing the magic I love so much and bringing people laughter."

WEB SITE: www.kozakthemagician.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $23 and $30, and the $30 tickets include dinner. Dinner is 5 p.m. daily with the show following one hour later. at the Comedy Stop in The Quarter at the Tropicana.

 

‘Yesterday - A Tribute to the Beatles' at Tropicana

WHAT IS IT: Yesterday is a Las Vegas-based Beatles tribute band that began performing as a unit in 1986. The band has appeared onstage with America, Chicago and The Moody Blues. Yesterday was invited to perform at the U.S. Postal Service's unveiling of the "Yellow Submarine" postage stamp. The band strives to achieve the utmost authenticity in every performance.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Those looking to take a trip back to the days when four young lads from England ruled the world will want to head to the Tropicana. "Yesterday - A Tribute to the Beatles" is in town re-living the magic of the world's most famous band. Yesterday will be performing "The British are Coming," a live re-enactment of the famous concerts that introduced the first wave of British invasion to the United States. The show includes re-enactments of the Beatles' performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," plus legendary concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Shea Stadium.

CRITIC'S CORNER: Press of Atlantic City critic Scott Cronick wrote: "While there are some more elaborate and even better Beatles tribute bands out there, Yesterday's enthusiasm and love for the music shines, and the guys sound as good as most Beatles tributes you will hear. ‘The British Are Coming!' is a satisfying, fun and inexpensive night out that shouldn't be missed."

WEB SITE: www.legendsofyesterday.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25. The shows begin 8:30 p.m. Saturdays to Thursdays at the Liverpool Club, North Tower, Tropicana.

 

Butch Bradley at Borgata

WHO IS HE: Butch Bradley is an Atlantic City native who has made a name for himself nationwide.The Comedy Central favorite is also a regular on CBS' "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." Bradley, a USO regular, now lives in Los Angeles, where he regularly performs at The World Famous Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Bradley is a stellar stand-up comedian whose likability leaves the audience feeling like they're hanging out with an old friend. He is inspired by Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles and George Carlin, and his routine puts hilarious, unique spins on everyday fears and anxieties.

WHAT'S NEW: Bradley is making his Borgata Comedy Club debut this week. He just returned from a tour in Israel for the Koby Mandell Foundation, sponsored by Jerry Seinfeld.

SHOW INFO: Bradley will perform with Steve Marshall and Dan Wilson 9 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 31. Tickets are $20.

WEB SITE: www.butchbradley.com

 

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