Yesterday, as part of the Vegas Internet Mafia Family Picnic, I had the global launch event for Grandissimo at The D Las Vegas.
After sharing some artisanal nut butter (a carefully-curated tasting flight of cashew, almond, and walnut), I got up and spoke to the filled-to-capacity D Showroom crowd. I talked a little about the genesis of the book and the process of publishing it. It’s the kind of thing I could talk about for an hour and still have more to say, but I kept it to about five minutes. I then read two excerpts from the book and took questions before stepping off stage and heading to my booth to sign books.
It was great signing books and giving out Walls 360 repositionable wall art (I had Grandissimo and Roll the Bones stickers and mini-posters).
The best part of the event for me was when two people close to Jay got up to say a few words. Don Kelley of the Swinging Lads, who played for Sarno in the Cabana days, talked a little about his former boss. Then Freddie Sarno, Jay’s son, shared some very kind words about the family’s appreciation for my writing the book.
So the book is officially out now—you can pick up a copy just about anywhere online, and I’ve got a few more events scheduled. If you couldn’t make this one, I’d love to see you at one of them.
A full spread—most of these are in the hands of readers now.
Me with Jay’s daughter Heidi, her husband (next to her), his son Freddie, and his girlfriend.