Mr. Las Vegas returns

Ocala.com - Ocala, FL, USA - Wayne Newton proved lounge singers can dance. In an era of changing entertainment values and musical trends, the Silver Springs-bound Newton, 65, not only survives but prospers.

Modern audiences know him from his recent stint on "Dancing With the Stars," but Newton is a throwback to another generation of entertainers.

"He's a showman, the kind of entertainer who makes you feel good," said Bill Barr, morning personality on Ocala radio station WMFQ 92.9 FM. "He's part of a dying breed - a Las Vegas lounge singer who plays the big time."

In a way, Newton's gone from corny to cool.

His television and movie credits range from guest shots with Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball to more recent appearances in "Ocean's 11" and "Ally McBeal."

On stage, Newton's audience loves it when he camps it up and has an old-fashioned good time. Like Elvis and Sinatra, Newton is a cultural touchstone for a generation that came of age in a simpler time.

Aside from those nostalgic longings, he's a consummate old-school entertainer. There's something comforting about watching Newton turn a vast, outdoor venue such as Silver Springs - where he'll play Saturday - into his own private lounge.

"He just keeps going," Barr said. "He works the crowd; he tells his stories and sings his songs. He makes you feel good."

Newton's a classic survivor.

He wasn't much of a dancer, yet he survived for weeks on "Dancing With the Stars," a competition that pairs celebrities with professional dancers and pits them against other celebs. The only things that kept him going were his popularity with the audience and his loyal fans, not to mention his dance partner, Cheryl Burke.