Fator grows his audience on road

The security of a big contract hasn't kept Terry Fator from hitting the road to win new fans.

The Mirage headliner and rags-to-riches winner of "America's Got Talent" is spending his upcoming vacation on a promotional bus tour.

He's flying to Kansas on Sept. 12 to begin a six-city tour over seven days, many of them county fairs in small markets.

I called him last week to inquire about this addictive habit he can't break after landing a reported 10-year, $100 million contract in 2008.

What prompted my curiosity was a recent e-mail from Chicago friends who told me they saw a billboard advertising his upcoming engagement at the Allegan County Fair in Michigan.

Before that a niece of mine had raved about the crowd he drew in remote Wibaux, Mont.

Wibaux with a population of 500 and change?

Yes, recalled Fator. "That was two years ago. I had just signed with The Mirage. It was a makeup show. It was one of several I had booked during 'America's Got Talent.' I fulfilled every contract. There were a few shows for $750," he said.

"Lots of times when somebody hits the big time," said Fator, "they'll charge more." He didn't.

When he showed up at the high school gym in Wibaux (pronounced Wee-bo), the townsfolk welcomed him with a large banner that said, "We love you Terry Fator" and "they had drawn pictures on it," he said.

"I spent 25 years out there in places like Wibaux, so I have an appreciation for the small towns," he said. "It's an understanding that without the fans, I wouldn't be here. I'm just giving back to all those who made this possible for me."

His upcoming bus tour will take him to Hutchinson, Kan. ; Spencer, Iowa; Prior Lake, Minn.; Allegan, Mich.; York, Pa.; and West Springfield, Mass.

I only hope he's taking a camera crew because it sounds like a reality show ring to it: sort of like a modern-day Cinderella road show.

"What I'm trying to do is create a bigger fan base," he said. "Hopefully it will encourage them to come to Las Vegas."

He's doing the "vacation" thing again in November, this time in Florida and Mississippi.

It's one man's way of taking on the recession and not taking anything for granted.

"It's about bringing the shows to the fans and keeping the name out there."

RESTAURANT RUMBLINGS

Amid rumblings that Caesars Palace is considering leasing out all of its restaurants -- moving away from partnerships -- recent sightings of fiery Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay at Bradley Odgen restaurant has tongues wagging.

Two years ago, when the "Hell's Kitchen" chef opened an eatery in West Hollywood, he was quoted as saying: "Vegas? I don't want to play my card in Las Vegas. It's materialistic.

"Here, it's proper. I'm very happy to be here. Everything is in abundance in California."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Nationally syndicated talk show host John Tournour, better known as J.T. The Brick, will be hosting a local sports talk show at The Orleans every Monday from 4-5 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio 920. Tournour, who started his radio career in Las Vegas in 1996, moved his show back to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in January. Now he's got the largest syndicated sports talk show at night in America with over 250 stations on Fox Sports Radio at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. ... Teresa Giudice of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" is signing her book from 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Stack restaurant (Mirage) and hosting at Revolution Lounge later in the evening.

SIGHTINGS

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, in a private box at The Pearl (Palms) on Friday for the David Gray and Ray LaMontagne concert. ... Harrah's headliner Rita Rudner and her husband, Martin Bergman, watching England's soccer game against Bulgaria on Friday at The Queen Victoria (Riviera). Bergman is a North Londoner. ... After playing at Wasted Space (Hard Rock Hotel) on Thursday, Steven Adler, original drummer of Guns N' Roses, and his band Appetite showed up at Aces & Ales, 3740 S. Nellis Boulevard, to play with the house band, The John Zito Blues Band. ... Singer Pink and Carey Hart, spending most of the week in a suite at the Hard Rock Hotel's new tower.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Paris Hilton is banned from the Wynn hotel and casino in Las Vegas. I'm not sure what Paris is banned for, but I think we can rule out card counting." -- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.