Las Vegas native Franky Perez stars at Green Valley Ranch Resort

Ever since he could speak, Las Vegas native Franky Perez has been infected with the music bug.

Perez's mom was a singer who would perform at various family functions. He would be right beside her providing back up vocals and , on occasion, playing the spoons or whatever make shift instrument he could find.

"Performing is in my blood," Perez said. "Some musicians see this as a job. It's not. It's my life."

Far from the family functions of his youth, Perez started his new Friday night show Aug. 12 at Ovation Lounge inside Green Valley Ranch Resort, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway. The show, which starts at 11 p.m., is free for people 21 or older.

"This is not a lounge act," Perez said. "This is a full blown rock 'n' roll show."

Perez has been performing since he was a sophomore in high school.

His first gig was in a friend's backyard with about 25 people. Perez was hooked on performing.

"It was something I had to do," Perez said. "I got as many gigs as possible. I kept moving forward."

Perez moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time career when he was 18 and was picked up by his first independent label, Conversion, a year later.

"It was my first big shot," Perez said.

Perez was able to meet new people and managers to further his career.

When he was 21, he signed with Atlantic Records and debuted his first album, "Poor Man's Son," when he was 23.

The album featured a single, "Something Crazy," which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 in 2003.

A second album, "My 4th of July," was released in 2005.

Perez also has been involved with bands such as Velvet Revolver and Scars on Broadway.

His favorite memory performing was in Norway with Slash of Guns N' Roses.

Perez was doing a sound check with Slash. Rock musician Ozzy Osbourne was watching.

"After I was done, Ozzy did his sound check," Perez said. "He stopped in the middle of the sound check and walked over to me to tell me I was an amazing singer."

His second favorite moment happened a few hours later when he strutted onto the stage at a sold-out show.

Perez returned to Las Vegas to perform at the Palms in 2010.

He loved the experience and decided to keep returning to the Palms until Station Casinos asked him to perform at 11 p.m. Saturdays at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort. He is still doing his free Saturday show at the Red Rock.

In June, Perez was asked to fill in as an opener before Steel Panther at Ovation inside Green Valley Ranch Resort.

"I loved the showroom," Perez said.

Perez told his manager that he wanted that room, and a month later, he was asked to retain a spot.

"I move fast," Perez said.

Perez was excited for his first show.

"Henderson is a rock 'n' roll city," Perez said. "I don't know what it is about Henderson. I remember growing up, when we heard there was going to be a party in Henderson, we had to go."

Perez doesn't even mind the weekly commutes to Las Vegas from Hollywood, Calif.

"I've been doing it since I was 18," Perez said. "I usually drive because I like to have my own car. You can do it in three and a half hours easy."

After shows, Perez said he will try to hang out.

"I'm not one of those musicians that will sneak away and disappear," Perez said , "u nless there is something good to disappear to."

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.