BILLY DONATO BRINGS THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF VEGAS AND HIS HEART BACK HOME

“EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN” – BILLY DONATO ON “VINTAGE VEGAS WITH A MODERN TWIST”

 By: Felicia Naoum

A multi-talented Cleveland native has checked performing in Vegas off of his bucket list. Now, he’s about to check off his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, too. See, Billy Donato not only checked Vegas off, he lit it up, literally, as “Billy Donato” gleamed brightly from the famous Tropicana marquee that in turn lights up the entertainment capital of the world – Las Vegas, Nevada. This Clevelander is no stranger to performing in the big leagues, including Caesars Palace.

Donato, a big star from an everyday town has made huge leaps and bounds to bigger places. Now, he has returned home to the City of Rock ‘N’ Roll and is more ready than ever to bring you his talents, and something more.

Billy Donato is filled with a competitive nature that thrives on pressure, natural show business talents and perseverance. All of which brought him to where he is today along with his notable coach, David Morganstern, whom he studied under for 10 years. David told Billy he would perform in Vegas one day and he did.

Billy grew up with entertainment fever. His father was a math teacher by day and a singer and drummer by night. Entertaining you was pumping in Billy’s blood since his formative years and he is beyond thankful to finally perform where it all began. “I’ve been waiting for years to have this opportunity in my hometown,” said Billy.

However, folks, I can guarantee you that there is one attribute bigger than Billy’s performance. His heart.

The show will sweep you off of your feet, but the connection, the interaction and the message will certainly make you a fan of Mr. Donato’s if you haven’t already had the privilege to be one.

Billy’s show is called “Vintage Vegas with a Modern Twist.” I call it Vintage Vegas with a Modern Twist and So Much More.

Here’ why:

Billy doesn’t just offer you a show to attend. He takes you on an escape. Your concerns are left at the door. When Billy takes the stage, he delivers not only a performance but a place for you to be you, regardless of who you are, and a place to let go.

“I can take people away for one minute or an hour-from their mental and physical woes – I can take them away.” Life can be tough, right? Billy puts your everyday worries on hold with his presence and updated versions of vintage music.

If you can’t fly to Vegas to get your taste of the big city, then you can meet him at the Hard Rock Rocksino for not only your real and genuine Vegas experience as he described himself, but to see one of Cleveland’s own, a true hometown man, take you to places you may have never been before – places of emotional depth, excitement, and perhaps a time travel to back in the day with that modern spin that makes you still appreciate today. And the setting counts, too. Billy wanted a closeness to be established with his audience and that’s what the Hard Rock does.

Just as show business is the perfect fit for Billy, the Hard Rock’s Vegas Showroom is the perfect fit for Billy’s performance. “Not only did I grow up 5 or 10 minutes from there, The Club Velvet Vegas Showroom was perfect for my show. I need access to my audience and the audience needs access to my show.”

This show will be intimate. You could be sitting in the last row, but Billy’s overwhelming passion to be connected to you won’t allow you to feel so far away.

Thru Billy’s performance, he wants to make you feel not only connected but better. His music takes on a level of peace and healing. Because for Billy, even a bad day is a good day. How great is that? Music and performing are Billy’s meditation, now allow them to be yours. When you arrive at the Hard Rock for the main event you will enjoy a heaping taste of tranquility on the side.

“I believe the show and music is a healer, no matter what your woes are – physical or mental – the adrenaline, the endorphins that kick in. I could be having maybe not the best day, but that doesn’t matter, once I start performing, everything changes,” explained Billy.

And he couldn’t do it without you…

Billy’s driving force: His audience…

Billy’s show was created by the fans and is for the fans. The fans spoke and he listened. “From the audience to the stage – from Royal Caribbean International to the Las Vegas Casinos, it’s what the audiences requested and wanted – that’s how my show was developed,” shared Billy.

You know what’s even better? The spontaneity that Billy offers his fans. None of his audience interactions are rehearsed which attributes to his realness. Billy wants each of his shows to be unique to his specific audience. The sky truly is the limit when you’re in Billy’s company. But fear not, because as Billy said, he treats you like his family and friends. Billy said it perfectly: “It’s like I’m a throwing an event at my home and I’m the host. It’s no different when I’m on stage performing than when I’m with my family and friends in the living room of my home.”

Along with surprises, you will receive a quality delivery which is Billy’s sound. Billy’s performance may include a live orchestra or live produced tracks recorded in-studio with a live orchestra. He has a custom-made Bose sound system which includes no sound drop off and virtual surround sound. To Billy, “A performer is only as good as what the audience can see and hear.” Billy adds, “Whether I have no musicians or one hundred it will be the same show.”

It doesn’t matter who you are or what your musical preferences consist of, Billy will make you happy. In fact, his demographic is “the planet earth” as he said. Billy has something for everyone. “My show is open to all and goes beyond any barriers. There are no racial barriers, age barriers, language barriers. No matter what type of music someone likes, they will love my show. It’s open to everybody. I’m not competing with anyone. I have my own niche – a tremendous amount of energy in my show. People will laugh, cry and dance – it is a timeless interactive experience.”

We know his shows are unpredictable, which leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. At Billy’s show, you won’t know what to expect next, but you will anticipate more of it because it’s really just a sweet treat with many layers. “A lot of things are going to surprise people. Billy will not be standing over a microphone when he delivers his musical package of sounds including Rat Pack, Motown, Doo-Wop, Rock ‘N’ Roll, Country, and Swing. He will be all over the stage, and maybe where you are, too! “It all has a beautiful flow to it,” uttered Billy.” You will enjoy your experience and don’t forget to enjoy the cherry on top, too. Cherry on top you may ask?

Yes, a sweet, sweet cherry to top it all off…

The personal touches. Every party needs a personal touch. “My sister, my mom, and my dad have all recently passed since the first show. They won’t physically be in the audience but we will feel their spirit, their heart, and their being. I’m going to do a tribute to my mom, dad, and sister that will include 10-foot screens and Billy’s mom’s favorite song – “The Dance” by Garth Brooks.

Unfortunately, both of Billy’s parents passed away from pancreatic cancer. When each one was sick, Billy stopped his career to move home and give them 24-hour care. Billy’s name may have lit up the marquee in Vegas, but his heart will land him right back home to Cleveland when his loved ones need him. Billy loves the bright lights of the entertainment capital that he deems is a culture in and of its own and one that everyone should experience at least once in their life, but his roots are in Cleveland and so is that big ol’ heart of his, big enough to light up anywhere including all of his performances at benefits and fundraisers for Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes, Autism Speaks, Wounded Warriors, and many more. He’s more than a Vegas showman, he’s a community man, a family man, an everyday happy-go-lucky man.

Billy on chasing your dreams…

Billy was more than happy to give those out there a little bit of hope. He points out that it is okay to fail, in fact we need to embrace the failure, learn from the experience, and come back stronger. Additionally, he wants you to have no regrets, to try everything your heart is set on. Billy tried, he tried hard. He didn’t give up. If you need proof that dreams do come true, the former pro baseball player could leave his hometown for those bright and we know how bright they are, lights of Vegas, then you can, too.

Take it from Billy himself…

“Everyone has dreams. Some people keep them to themselves and never tell anyone. Some people keep it as a dream versus having no idea that their dream could become reality. If people had the mindset that dreams could become reality, what’s the worst that could happen? Sometimes, we try our best and we just can’t accomplish it. But that’s okay because you’ll never have to wonder if you should have, could have or would have. Instead of staying down, we learn and experience from those failures and that’s what keeps us going.”

Billy on his legacy…

It’s all about the love. “I love life, I love people, I love family and friends; that’s what life is all about. No matter how good we are, you can never do it alone or by yourself.”

Billy quoted a famous singer who graced the world with his talents prior to him, Dean Martin.

“That’s why Dean Martin said, Everybody Loves Somebody and, That Somebody Is You”!

Love you ask?

“That’s part of life; that’s key. That’s what keeps the world going. Whether it’s someone reading this article, or experiencing my performance, I want them to leave with joy – to feel that wonder – that’s the goal.”