Talking With Steve Connolly – March 31, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Steve Connolly, the powerhouse behind “Spirit of the King,” the ultimate Elvis tribute show at Notoriety Live every Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 7 p.m. In this engaging conversation, Steve shares his eclectic journey—from playing bass guitar in high school and attending art school to restoring 700 statues and 123 churches. Initially set on becoming a curator, his path took an unexpected turn when a professor encouraged him to embrace both art and music. Steve talks about sneaking into bars with a fake I.D. at just 15 to play music, learning guitar, taking voice lessons, and how an open mic night changed his life forever—setting him on the road to embodying Elvis. He recalls the thrill of stepping in front of an audience, shedding inhibitions, and truly thriving in the spotlight. He recounts how “Legends in Concert” producer John Stuart and Will Collins helped bring him to Vegas, cementing his place as a dedicated student of Elvis. And how a critical letter pushed him to dive deeper into researching the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, refining his performance to a new level of authenticity. The key moment for Steve: before a particularly challenging performance (in front of a goth crowd), he asked for the spirit of Elvis to enter him—a ritual that has since become a pre-show prayer. Beyond the stage, Steve talks about his deeply personal commitment to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and how his family tragedy formed that commitment. Tune in for an episode filled with passion, music, and the magic of Vegas entertainment! (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)