Watch: Interview with Gregory Charles (part 1)
MONTREAL – He doesn’t look beast-ish, but, clearly, Gregory Charles is a beast.
He’s currently hosting a morning radio show, but, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Montreal Casino, Charles is pouring his considerable talent and energy into an interactive, bilingual music extravaganza called, Vintage. The show moves along at a rip-roaring pace, much like the entertainer’s life.
Along with this show and his morning radio hosting gig, Charles also works as a singer, musician, actor, dancer, entertainer, choirmaster and television personality.
Not only is he passionate about his casino show, he is a visionary; Charles is striving to make Vintage the most interactive musical show in the world.
As they arrive, audience members respond to a quick survey about their musical tastes and during the show, can use their smart phones and tablets to request songs from Charles and his musicians, who will adjust their performance on the fly.
Charles, who will be performing Vintage in Montreal all summer long, takes audience demographics into account as he performs. He has two screens on his piano and reads audience song requests and comments as the show unfolds. The screens tell him how many people have requested specific songs or specific eras of music.
He told Global News that over the last 15years, he and his band have performed more than 10,000 songs and he admits they have been stumped about only about 50 times.
Watch: Interview with Gregory Charles (part 2)
Once Vintage completes its run in Montreal, the energetic and perfectly bilingual entertainer will take the show on the road until 2017 with a mobile version to Quebec’s three other casinos.
You can bet that as his show moves through Quebec and into New York City, his father’s special punch will continue to be among refreshment choices offered to audience members.
His first variety show, Noir et Blanc, entertained more than 400,000 spectators across Quebec and the rest of Canada.
Charles, who early on was a Petit Chanteur du Mont Royal and represented Canada at an international piano contest in Paris, still holds the record for most consecutive shows at the Bell Centre.
He is now official spokesperson for Quebec casinos, a responsibility he takes very seriously.
His message, along with responsible gambling, is that Quebec casinos offer much more, including scrumptious meals and rich entertainment choices.
Vintage definitely tops that list.
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