“The Black Diamond Experience”
Neil Diamond Tribute performed by Theron Denson
Bootlegger Bistro Restaurant ~ April 11, 2009
By Susan Haller

There is a “strange enigma” within the music business, a “strange creation” that takes years of study to master and is "strangely popular" with the masses; it is the “strange art” of the “Tribute Artist”. Frankly, I am leery of this kind of concert, figuring that “If you ain’t got something new to say, or a new way to say it….why would I stray from the original artist?”

Fortunately, through meeting “Black Diamond”, (new Vegas import), many of my stuffy “all original” views got a nice little break. Theron Denson is a warm hearted, welcoming entertainer that had the good fortune to be fired from a “hotel front desk” job for too much singing to the customers. Desperation and “wanting to eat” brought out the Neil Diamond in him. Interesting twist? Theron is black…hence the clever “Black Diamond” moniker.

Bold enough to put out a craigslist ad looking for musicians, he produced a rocking band with 7 pieces and had his inaugural Vegas concert at the Bootlegger Bistro. What I realized first is that “impersonators” may be best heard through closed eyes, until you get into the concert itself. Theron has an unusually close sound to “the man” and has worked long and hard on inflection and vocal style. Apparently, people told him for years about the uncanny similarities, but it was not until “Jazz Singer” that he took up the challenge and brought it out for entertainment purposes.

The one guarantee about this type of experience is how many people in the audience will sing along with you. Each song gets “that’s my favorite” attached to it. Theron capitalized on the collective memory of the room by guiding us through the history of Neil Diamond. He had done his research and was relaxed and assured in teaching the rest of us the lesson. One thing for certain, he had no shortage of back up singers. As a sweet surprise, the crowd held Mary Wilson of the Supremes, a family member from The Pointer Sisters, and dear friends that flew in from Philadelphia.

The first night with any new band can be “kinda dicey”, but to their credit they were well directed by Timothy “TC” Chandler~ Pianist/Keyboardist out of East St. Louis, Illinois (himself a recent import to the neighborhood). James D’Arrigo ~ Horns from Philidelphia, Freddie Flores ~ background vocals, Phoenix AZ, Jason Meadows ~ solid groove on the bass, Julian Camaz ~Electric Guitar, Mexico, Dr. Scott “Mudbone” Jones ~ “All that and more” Percussionist and “Cool Chick Drummer” Tasha (also a member of BandShe ~ all girl rock band) both from New Jersey. Absent from the debut was Tom Denk from Cleveland OH, who will join the group on Acoustic Guitar. A band combination that proves beyond a doubt that this music is an international language that speaks through many talents.

There is something about the classic Diamond songs that hold genuine “play in your head” hook lines. “Forever in Blue Jeans”, “Crackling Rose” and “Kentucky Woman” were all incredibly executed and delightfully received. The poignant moment arose when Mr. Denson dedicated “Hello My Friend” to his beloved friend June Pointer, who passed away a few years ago. As the woman next to me was heard to say, “I cannot believe the effect this man has on people; he will be very popular… So Very Vegas\!” Neil Diamond is all about people in the audience singing and dancing along with the performance. True or tribute, it’s just the way it is.