A new king

Singer-songwriter Frankie Moreno is a Las Vegas favorite: He's been voted “Best Strip Headliner” and “Best All-Around Performer” by locals—no mean feat in a city that boasts residencies from the likes of Elton John and Britney Spears.

Moreno's a child prodigy who did time in a pre-American Idol world on Star Search. The Santa Cruz native's been recording albums since he was a teen, and his music is a hybrid of classic '50s and '60s rock, pop and country, but with a modern polish.

Moreno is something of an unknown off the Vegas Strip—this despite being crowned the “second coming of the King” (as in Elvis Presley) by one music critic, and despite a best-selling collaboration with violinist Joshua Bell. That's set to change, however, with a new record, an upcoming tour and his very own TV special, Frankie Moreno in Concert.

The 30-minute show airs at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, as part of a pledge drive for the local PBS affiliate, KVIE. And, in an effort to sweeten the fundraising deal, Moreno will appear live on-air to give audiences a tease of his charismatic style and vintage-modern sound.

The special is also part of PBS' new music series, Music Gone Public: Curated Concerts for Public Television. For additional show times and channel information, visit www.kvie.org.