Irish pride shows in song for UFC’s McGregor

A Dublin duo now living in Las Vegas have come up with an anthem for countryman Conor McGregor, the UFC phenom.

Known as the Black Donnellys, Dave Rooney and Dave Browne titled the song "Notorious," after McGregor's nickname. It is available on iTunes.

The opening lyrics go:

"The Irish gladiator steps into the game

The main contender now the world will know his name,

So people listen up and let me make it clear,

We're not here for taking part, we're here for taking over."

Rooney, who wrote the lyrics, was voted best Irish singer-songwriter in 2012, and Browne broke the Guinness world record for marathon guitar playing in 2011 — 114 hours.

"Right now he's probably the most-talked-about athlete in Ireland at this time," Rooney said. He added there's talk of McGregor's next fight being held in Dublin's Croke Park, a stadium that holds more than 80,000.

Rooney and Browne have been performing at Ri Ra Irish Pub for 15 months. They recruited Les Warner of The Cult to play the drums for the song.

Birthday surprise

"Mike and Molly" star Billy Gardell predicted "a lot of tears on the last episode" after taping the finale of the upcoming sixth season.

Gardell, who was in town last week for taping of the game show "Monopoly Millionaires' Club," gave Mike O'Brian and Carla Rea of KKLZ-FM (96.3) morning show an example of how close the cast has become.

Gardell, who plays Chicago police officer Mike Biggs, said the cast decided several years ago to stop buying "crazy birthday gifts."

But co-star Melissa McCarthy may have missed the memo or, more likely, ignored it.

Gardell said he was with his parents at a steakhouse in Orlando, Fla., on his birthday in August when "in walked these four guys in red suits. I'm like 'Look at these clowns.'

"Then they start singing 'Happy Birthday' to me."

Turns out, McCarthy had hired a barbershop quartet.

"That's the kind of vibe it's been with the whole cast," Gardell said.

The scene and heard

Television personality Dao Vu will again be marrying participants in the Geico Rock 'n' Roll marathon and half-marathon on Sunday. The host of "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV (Channel 13) served as minister last year for the run-through weddings. A total of 156 couples are registered, with 41 of them signed up to get married and 115 renewing their vows. One couple bowed out last year, Vu said, because they learned the night before that she was pregnant. The wedding venue is at mile 3, in front of BLVD Plaza at Monte Carlo. ...

Marlena Shaw will be honored Sunday as Las Vegas' first lady of jazz by the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The tribute will be held at the Ron DeCar's Events Center from 1 to 3 p.m. Honoring the longtime Las Vegan will be Pete Barbutti, the Las Vegas Academy jazz combo, Toscha Comeaux, Don Cunningham, David Loeb and his trio, Garry Marshall, Jo Belle Yonely and others. Shaw, born in Valhalla, N.Y., was working at the Playboy Club in Chicago when she received an offer to join the Count Basie Orchestra in Las Vegas. Shaw was the first female artist signed to the Blue Note label. Information: 702-384-0771. ...

Frank Sinatra impressionist Bob Anderson will sing the national anthem before the Veterans Day parade today. Joining co-emcees Les Krifaton of KVVU-TV (Channel 5) and Alan Stock of KXNT-AM (840) will be Kayla Walker, the new co-host on KLUC's morning show. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Fourth Street and Ogden Avenue.

On this day

Nov, 11, 1971: Rolling Stone publishes the first part of Hunter S. Thompson's wild, surreal, drug-addled memoir that becomes the groundbreaking book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream."

Sightings

Kenny Loggins, joining the cast of "Raiding the Rock Vault" at the Tropicana after Monday's show. ... Lionel Richie, taking in Britney Spears' show at Planet Hollywood's Axis Theater on Saturday. He is sharing the venue with her starting April 27.

The punch line

"Ben Carson apparently has a painting of himself with Jesus. When he heard this, Larry King said, 'Big deal, I have a selfie with Jesus.'" — Conan O'Brien

— Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke