Fator finds fame, fortune
If you were having dinner at the Excalibur about 15 years ago, you might remember Texas The Band.
Those were the lean years for Terry Fator, when he brought his band to town hoping to be discovered.
Instead of overnight success, he was in for a shock.
"It was terrible. They wanted me to play dinner music at a steakhouse," said Fator, whose act included talking puppets every 10 or 15 minutes. "I do all these impressions, and they wanted background music.
"I’ve never been more miserable."
In those days, "We were getting between $750 to $3,000 a night and splitting it seven ways. But I wasn’t making anything by the time I took care of everything. We were living off my wife’s job at the vet clinic."
Las Vegas hasn’t seen a rags-to-riches story such as his for some time.
After quitting his country cover band to become a full-time ventriloquist, Fator started making $20,000 a year on the county fair circuit, enough money to stay ahead of the bill collectors.
He caught a break about 21/2 years ago when he saw Danny Gans in Las Vegas. He decided to switch from a conventional ventriloquist to having his puppets do celebrity impressions "because I didn’t want to be a karaoke singer anymore."
About a year ago, Terry and his wife, Melinda, decided to go all-in and take their best shot at hitting the big time.
He had canceled two months of work and she had quit her job so they could concentrate on NBC’s "America’s Got Talent."
By the final weeks, the Fators were tapped out. They had maxed out their credit cards and drained their bank account.
"We had to borrow from friends," he said.
When he won the $1 million prize on "America’s Got Talent," he bought Melinda a big-honking wedding ring and they paid off all the bills.
Nine months later, in the same theater where he got inspiration from Gans’ celebrity singing impressions, Fator was introduced at a news conference near his new home at The Mirage.
His five-year deal is worth a reported $100 million.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
The auction of Michael Jackson‘s Neverland, set to go on the auction block today, was canceled after the investment company Colony Capital LLC purchased the note. Colony Capital owns the Las Vegas Hilton, leading to speculation that Jackson may be launching a comeback on the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley‘s historic comeback in 1969 at the Hilton. …
Tina and Nancy Sinatra were guests of a private reception hosted by Steve and Elaine Wynn on Tuesday after taking part in the unveiling of a new 42-cent postage stamp honoring their father. At midnight, Steve Wynn gave a toast and speech just before a tribute to the legendary crooner, who died 10 years ago today. Nancy flew in from New York City to join her sister, who participated in a ceremony in front of the Bellagio’s dancing fountains. Frank Sinatra and Steve Wynn were close friends. …
It’s probably not what the doctor ordered, but former NBA star Dennis Rodman is apparently celebrating his exit from rehab with his 47th birthday Friday at Torrid, the nightclub at Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood Resort. Less than two weeks ago, he was arrested for domestic violence and entered a rehab facility in Florida.
SIGHTINGS
John O’Hurley of "Spamalot" at Wynn Las Vegas and former Vice President Dan Quayle backstage on Monday before heading for dinner at SW Steakhouse. … Duran Duran’s Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor got some love from the cast of "Love" on Sunday night at The Mirage. Also in attendance: Sharon and Jack Osbourne. … Brent Musberger, at the 40/40 Club (Palazzo) Saturday night. … Jack Osbourne, taking in the Rehab pool party Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel and later the Sunday School Naughty Pajama Party.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Jenna Bush got married over the weekend. It was so lovely. At the reception, President Bush got to dance with his lovely daughter. It was the first time he’s led in eight years." — David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.