Young singer-songwriter Calloway loves living, performing in Vegas

Vegas Voices is a weekly question-and-answer series featuring notable Las Vegans.

In just a couple of short years, Cameron Calloway has made a name for himself in the Las Vegas music scene. Moving swiftly from sharing his beguiling brand of acoustic soul as a solo artist at open-mic nights around town to snagging supporting slots opening for touring acts with a full band, Calloway has sharpened his songwriting skills.

The Long Beach, Calif.-born singer-songwriter is preparing to enter the studio later this month to record a six-song EP that will be released sometime next year. While the sessions will serve as his first proper release, you can sample Calloway's stirring songs and sumptuous falsetto on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/cameron-calloway-1) and then catch him live at Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq on Nov. 27 with Allen Stone.

We recently caught up with Calloway, who moved to Las Vegas in the early '90s, to find out what he loves about living here, where he likes to hang out, and which celebrity encounter left him speechless.

Review-Journal: What do you love most about living in Las Vegas?

Calloway: One thing I absolutely love about Vegas is how accessible things are late at night. Food places, especially, because once you travel outside of the city, you realize that a lot businesses close super early. Not the case here.

R-J: What do you love most about performing in Las Vegas?

Calloway: The one thing that stands out to me about performing here is the diversity of people that come out to my shows! I love seeing that in the audience because it shows me that my music can bring all walks of life together!

R-J: Where are your favorite places to hang out in the city? Specifically, if you had some friends in from out of town, where would you take them?

Calloway: Oh, man! There's tons of stuff to do here, really! Off the top, there are two places I really enjoy going: One of them is Town Square; they've got some cool places to grab a bite, arcade games — GameWorks — and movie theaters. And the second would be downtown, specifically, Gold Spike. Really fun environment with live music and games!

R-J: Do you think people have misconceptions about Las Vegas? If so, what do you think they are?

Calloway: There's totally misconceptions about Vegas! The most evident one is obviously casinos and gambling. But once you get out a bit, you'll see the beautiful landscapes this city has to offer, like Mount Charleston or Red Rock.

R-J: What do you think about the way that the city is portrayed in films and television, and how close is it to reality?

Calloway: Hmm, interesting question, because what you see on TV actually does happen here, as far as the gambling side of things goes and party scene, et cetera, but that all depends where you go in the city. There's definitely characters all around this place.

R-J: What are some things about Las Vegas that people don't know, that either aren't common knowledge or get completely overlooked?

Calloway: Makes me giggle, because outsiders don't think people actually live here. They're actually surprised that there are houses.

R-J: Have you had any noteworthy celebrity encounters?

Calloway: Celebrity encounters? I've had a few happen. Got a chance to meet Stevie Wonder and Prince. Another one was Michael Jackson. I was about two feet away from him and didn't say anything because I was beyond starstruck! His legacy is definitely a huge inspiration to me.

R-J: What's your best "Las Vegas" story?

Calloway: Best Las Vegas story? There are so many! But I'd say the best Las Vegas story for me, thus far, has been the people and friends I've made through this music scene. It's priceless!

— Read more from Dave Herrera at reviewjournal.com. Contact him at dherrera@reviewjournal.com.