Ira's Everything Bagel

Just another Talk About Las Vegas with Ira Sites site

Welcome to Ira’s Everything Bagel, schmeared with intriguing people who talk about their passions, pursuits, and points of view.

Noshing With Debbie Wileman – August 11, 2022

This week, Ira spoke with Debbie Wileman, a vocalist specializing in Judy Garland and other legendary singers (as well as a singer in her own right), whose new album is “I’m Still Here.”The album features Debbie performing songs from Judy’s illustrious career and other tunes that she thinks the legendary singer would perform if she were here. In this Carnegie episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel, Debbie talks about her song-a-day videos (for 100 days) and instant success on Facebook; how she ended up in Hollywood recording an album at the former MGM studios (as well as the former Charlie Chaplin studios); her performance at Carnegie Hall; why she is a fan of Judy Garland; why she records her song in her car (you’ll never guess).

Noshing With Brandon K. Winford – August 4, 2022

This week, Ira spoke with Brandon K. Winford, author of John Hervey Wheeler, Black Banking, and the Economic Struggle for Civil Rights (The University Press of Kentucky). In this historical episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel, Brandon talks about Wheeler and his sisters coming of age in Jim Crow Atlanta, Georgia; his role as a black business activist; why he was a member of the establishment who worked behind the scenes; how he (Winford) unlocked the doors to the Wheeler archives; why he (Winford) was surprised by Wheeler’s intellectual curiosity; and what he meant for the new South prosperity of the 20th century.

Noshing With Bruce Vilanch – July 28, 2022

This week, Ira spoke with comedy writer, songwriter and actor Bruce Vilanch. In this eclectic (and hilarious) episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel, Bruce talks about his connection to the comedians of the Catskills; his move from the East Coast to Ohio and on to Hollywood; writing for the Academy Awards shows, Joan Rivers and Bette Midler; his relationship with his mother, who adopted him and just recently finding his birth mother; whether the deli will survive; raising funds for charity, including AIDS; why he loves writing and performing, but never wanted to be a producer; aging out in Hollywood; collaborative writing vs writing by yourself; and his new project (a musical), featuring an imaginary Dolly Parton (but with the real Dolly Parton music).

Noshing With Laura McBride – July 21, 2022

This week, Ira spoke with Laura McBride, author of We Are Called to Rise and In the Midnight Room. In this fanciful episode of Ira’s Everything Bagel, Laura talks about how her first novel was published as a result of extraordinary luck; growing up in a family that prized stories; why she likes to write as a practical person (because writing as a novelist has an impractical quality); how reading fiction can help maintain memory as you age; her process for writing a novel; the feeling of being on a creative roll; and the challenges for your family and friends when writing on a schedule and you are totally focused.