A few weeks ago I wrote....

Sweet Louie a Friend Indeed

It seems as if it was just yesterday that I spoke to Marvin “Sweet Louie” Smith. And now he’s passed on, and his spirit lives on. I met Sweet Louie 17 years ago when he was entertaining at the Sands Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip with his singing partner, Sonny Charles.

They were known as the singing duo called the Checkmates. They were both there for me regardless of whether it was an interview for television or a benefit. Both Louie and Sonny cared about the community, especially kids. I can’t help but remember Sweet Louie’s last speech to a group of young kids at National Night Out. He poured his heart out to those kids. He stressed education and working towards a goal, not the gang lifestyle.

I was looking through my celebrity interviews and was reminded of the Checkmates interview I had done for the 50th Anniversary of the Tropicana. I hope you enjoy it.