Entertainment Diet: Sierra Black

Las Vegas offers a seemingly endless array of entertainment options. With so many things to do, it can often be difficult to decide where to go. To help you out, Entertainment Diet asks prominent Las Vegans how they spend their free time. This week, we catch up with local country artist Sierra Black, who plays a pair of free shows this weekend at Santa Fe Station's Chrome Showroom.

Black is working hard to make a name for herself, and she's off to a good start. This past fall, the native Las Vegan — whose grandmother Babette De Castro was a member of the De Castro Sisters — was handpicked by Keith Urban to sing a duet with him at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

Black played her first show when she was 15, landing the gig at the CasaBlanca in Mesquite by submitting a tape of herself performing "We Were Us." Her entry bested a thousand other hopefuls.

Although Black, who lives in Summerlin, frequently travels back and forth to Nashville, Vegas is home.

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Where are your favorite places to play in Las Vegas?

Black: I have a few different places I like to play for different reasons, but there are three that stick out to me the most. I loved playing the Orleans Arena in 2014; 102.7 Music on the Mountain at Mount Charleston was a gorgeous venue; and, finally, the South Point hotel during the National Finals Rodeo.

RJ: Where are your favorite places to see live music?

Black: There are a lot of good venues to go watch live music in Vegas. I loved the intimacy of Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station, and I love when festivals come to the empty lot in front of Luxor on the Strip. It's fun to be on the Strip, see all the hotels and be outside listening to good music.

RJ: What non-Las Vegas bands or artists are you into right now?

Black: Chris Stapleton is a country singer who is the reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. I love his music and think he is not only an incredible songwriter but musician as well. A couple other artists I'm into right now are Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris and Pink.

RJ:What song do you have stuck on repeat right now?

Black: The song I have on repeat right now is over 20 years old! Alison Krauss, "When You Say Nothing At All." It's always been a favorite of mine.

RJ:Who are your favorite acts in town?

Black: I'm a Celine fan. I think she is just an incredible singer and performer. "My Heart Will Go On" is just a classic song to me. I've been singing that song since I can remember, even though I always thought the lyrics were "spaceships" not "spaces" between us. I also liked the "Jersey Boys" show.

RJ: In between performing and recording, what are your favorite things to do in town?

Black: I love going on runs outside, especially when I can catch the cool weather while it lasts. I love the Downtown Summerlin mall, and I'm a foodie, so I love going to eat.

RJ:When you get a chance to eat out, where do you like to go?

Black: There are a lot of good restaurants in Vegas, but my two favorites are Sushi Fever and Viva Mercados. But when it comes to breakfast I always pick Jamms.

RJ: What are your favorite websites, the ones you must read or visit every chance you get?

Black: I really love the CMT website. It has artist interviews, music, music videos and all the latest news in Nashville. I also really like Billboard and Rolling Stone; they have interesting articles that are always a good read.