The Candyman is probably smiling. For on the same Harrah's stage Sammy Davis Jr. opened in 1987, an ultra-talented performer he influenced as a child invokes the legendary entertainer's spirit, delighting crowd after crowd with one of the city's best song-and-dance acts. On this day, Clint Holmes is wearing a Colgate smile, enthused about his station in life: hosting a television show (Vegas Live!), having a lovely wife and three great children, and six nights a week, paying homage on the stage christened by his idol.
What was it like to be the first black performer on the Strip to have a theater in his name.
It was an honor, ridiculous, really, when you think about it. Sammy opened this theater, and if it should have been named after anybody, it probably should have been him.
In your showbiz career, which spans music, stage and television, have you ever been told you weren't black enough?
Yes. Many times. In LA in the '80s, I'd audition for black roles. The role might call for a 32-year-old black lawyer. I'd audition and the casting folks would say, "You aren't black." They had a preconception of what black is. Later on, a record producer told me he couldn't pitch me as a black artist because I wasn't dark enough.
How pervasive was industry prejudice?
I don't think any black artist or performer didn't face it. Things started to change with Michael Jackson. He proved that black artists could be pop artists.
Though you identify yourself as black, did you feel obligated, as a child of mixed-race parentage, to make a choice?
Society says that if one of your parents is black, then you're black. For me, it was who I identified with. My father introduced me to Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy and other black musicians and that's how I identified myself. But I'm proud of my British heritage, too.
Did it take a lot of courage to create the autobiographical musical, Comfortable Shoes, about your trials growing up biracial?
It didn't. It was just me giving what I have to offer. After one show, [legendary singer] Nancy Wilson said she knew she would like the music, but didn't know she would love the show.
Your show at Harrah's is great, covering everything from scat to opera. Sammy was an obvious influence, but who else inspired you?
I learned about audience interaction and storytelling from Cos. [Bill Cosby's] like an uncle to me. I think I'm a blend of Sammy, Cos, Harry Belafonte and a lot of other influences.
What was your life as a kid like?
We lived in Farnham, about 25 miles outside Buffalo, New York. We were the only black family in a town of 500. There was lots of ostracism. I was called a half-breed and a n---er. Kids would ask, "What are you?" It was the first time I became aware of my race. It was tough because we didn't talk about race in our household. My father wasn't a communicator and my mom was in survival mode. The only black girl in town was my sister so I didn't have a girlfriend.
How did you deal with it?
Quietly. I learned to identify my strengths, which were singing and playing the trombone. I played sports, too, but I became known for my singing. By my junior year, I was a star. But a town of 500 people is no place to be somebody. My sister had a different reaction. She was volatile and got angry.
What were your toughest moments in Farnham?
At church one day, people were talking about a party the night before that, obviously, my parents were not invited to. So my mom decides to have a party and invite the church choir. No one shows up. It hurt my mom real bad.
In college?
My first girlfriend, who was Polynesian, wanted me to meet her parents. Her mom was furious. She asked why she was shacking up with a n---er.
In the Army?
White guys didn't known how to classify me. I remember literally having a conversation with a white guy about my heritage, then having the same conversation with a black guy. I always had to explain what I was. Black guys would say I was trying to pass [for white]. They'd say, "What's up brother, we know what you're up to." I didn't understand why they were so angry.
Who educated you about racial issues?
My wife, the first black girl I ever dated. She was from upper-middle- class Houston and understood their anger. She explained it to me. This was the time of the Black Power movement, so a lot of people were angry.
Since your father wasn't emotive, how did you approach the subject of race with your children?
My wife was the catalyst for this. She had an antenna for seeing racism. My kids are all varying shades of brown. We just made sure they had the same antenna.