HELLO. I AM so pleased to join the online segment of our wonderful community and, each month, share a bit of my Las Vegas with you. But, first, I'd like to tell you a bit about myself.

My brother Frankie and I used to perform (I was five; he was 11) in our hometown, Buffalo, New York. Our older brother Joe toured with a rock band. Frankie and I played nursing homes, talent contests—anywhere we could—and we had so much fun. He played just the banjo until, when he was 13, he went to see The Godfather and he came home and sat down at the piano and played the theme from the movie. And he hasn't stopped.

After his band broke up, Joe was going to go to Florida to sell smoke alarms. But Paul McGuire—now an ESPN color commentator; then on the Buffalo Bills—was opening a piano bar and he asked Frankie to play. Frankie said he would if Joe could come. They put together a Billy Joel medley and busted chops in the audience. Soon the line was out the door.

I'd come in on weekends and do something. Then we did the Playboy circuit. Our act was kind of edgy—we did Tom Jones, Elvis and it really worked. Then in Detroit eight years ago we met the person who contracted us to come to Vegas.

So, six years ago we played the Hilton in Las Vegas. I was overwhelmed and so excited to be here. The only downside then was having to leave my daughter Deanna home on and off for six months or so. That was tough.

When we were offered our show at the Rio we were thrilled. My husband and I house-hunted for everyone and pretty soon we were all living here—Frank and Joe, our mother Mary—who everyone knows as "Mama Scinta"—and our oldest brother Tony who is a retired Buffalo homicide detective and today handles our merchandise.

So here we are, very lucky to be together in this amazing city.

And that's the thing—we've been able to live a full family life—complete with our dogs, Duggie the cockapoo and Fancy a miniature pinscher—and do what we love.

People often ask what it's like to raise a child here. I believe that as long as the child has a strong family foundation you can live anywhere and Las Vegas is not too different. Sure, there's the stigma of "Sin City," but that kind of thing has opened a meaningful dialogue with my daughter that I may never have had if we lived elsewhere.

Our daughter Deanna is the light of my life. She's a high school junior, a talented, wonderful person, my sanctity and my strength. She teaches me so many things about living life to the fullest. I'm a worrier and she's grounded, but carefree.

My Las Vegas gives me the best of all worlds. I'm onstage six nights a week, which I adore. I do what I love and I live what I love. It is a beautiful circle.   


Photos copyright and courtsey of www.scintas.com