Las Vegas Weekly

December 30, 2009 · 2:28 PM

Kris Allen has double duty in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve

By Don Chareunsy

Kris Allen.

Photo: Courtesy

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

There are myriad music options in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve, from The Black Eyed Peas at LAX to Christina Aguilera at Tao to Maroon 5 at the Palms to 50 Cent at Pure to Robin Thicke at the Bank to the John Mayer Trio at The Joint. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

American Idol winner and Conway, Arkansas’ hometown hero Kris Allen performs tonight at midnight(!) at the new B.B. King’s Blues Club in The Mirage, taking him into the first few hours of New Year’s Eve, then the 24-year-old hits the stage again for Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live! on Fox, joining Sean Kingston and his American Idol alumnus Allison Iraheta.

Kris spoke with me on the phone a few hours ago after being delayed at McCarran Airport amid the New Year’s Eve onslaught into Las Vegas.

Don Chareunsy: Have you been to Las Vegas before?

Kris Allen: I’ve never been to Las Vegas before, man. What a time to come, right? New Year’s Eve!

DC: Will you get a chance to see or do anything aside from perform during your first visit?

KA: I’m really excited about seeing Love. I’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil show before.

DC: Congratulations on your first album and hit single “Live Like We’re Dying.” What has been the highlight since winning American Idol back in May?

KA: Thanks, man. Thanks a lot. The tour after American Idol was really cool, going to some 50 cities with the other singers. It was a total blast to be on the bus together. We had a lot of fun.

DC: And the best city?

KA: My hometown. They had a very nice welcoming for me in my hometown.

DC: What was your favorite song to perform on the show?

KA: Probably “Ain’t No Sunshine.” I had a good time arranging the song, and it was really fun to perform.

DC: I read in your bio that you were a fan of Garth Brooks growing up listening to your dad’s records. You should check out his show at the Wynn. Who are your favorite artists today?

KA: Man, don’t tell me that, but I’m coming back to Las Vegas. I’ll get to see him. I like a lot of current artists. Switchfoot. The Fray. Maroon 5. I like John Mayer. I’m going to see Maroon 5 on New Year’s Eve.

DC: If there’s one thing you could add to your must-see list in Las Vegas, what would it be?

KA: To be honest, the Garth Brooks show. I saw an ad in the airport and said that I have to see that. He’s awesome.

DC: Are you excited about performing in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve? And tonight, too?

KA: Yeah, man, the show tonight at B.B. King’s Blues Club was booked a week ago. And then live TV. I’ve performed on live TV, but this is New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas!

DC: Your first big gig of the New Year on live TV. No pressure.

KA: Yeah, man, thanks, no pressure at all!

DC: What is your New Year’s resolution?

KA: Hmmm … focus more on music. I’m not really a New Year’s resolution kind of guy.

Kris will be at B.B. King’s Blues Club in The Mirage tonight at midnight. Admission is $30, and doors open at 11 p.m.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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