He may have left his heart in San Francisco, but Tony Bennett's voice will be left in the hearts and memories of those who see him Saturday, October 9 in downtown Reno's City Center Pavilion. Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Harrah's Reno and Silver Legacy are presenting the show, which begins at 8 p.m.

Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, the Queens, New York native grew up idolizing Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. At a mere ten years old, he was already attracting notice as a singer, performing beside Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia at the opening of the Triborough Bridge in 1936. As he reached his teen years, professional singing became his goal.

Forced to drop out of the High School of Industrial Arts to help support his family, he performed amateur shows until his 18th birthday when he was drafted into the army. During his two years in combat in WWII, Anthony Benedetto sang with military bands while serving throughout Europe.

After returning to the United States he began singing in nightclubs and in 1949 he got his big break. Comedian Bob Hope noticed him working in Greenwich Village in New York and as Bennett recalls, "he liked my act so much that after the show he came back to see me in my dressing room and said, 'Come on kid, you're going to come to the Paramount and sing with me.'"

Hope did not care too much for Bennett's then-stage name of Joe Bari and asked for the singer's real name. Bennett says, "I told him, 'My name is Anthony Dominick Benedetto.' and he said, 'We'll call you Tony Bennett.' And that's how it happened. A new Americanized name, the start of a wonderful career and a glorious adventure that has continued for fifty years."

Bennett initially found great success with a string of chart-toppers in the mid-1950s that included "Because of You," "Rags To Riches" and a remake of Hank Williams' "Cold, Cold Heart." In the early 1960s, he re-crafted his approach and became more of an adult-album seller. As the more lucrative rock market took over in the late 60s and early 70s, Bennett's sales cooled somewhat. He turned his attention to pop-rock and founded his own label, Improv, which allowed him to record the way he wanted.

Toward the end of the 1970s Bennett no longer needed hit records to sustain his career and instead played concerts worldwide. In 1986 he re-signed with Columbia Records, hired his son Danny as his manager and found new ways to appeal to the MTV generation without changing his basic style. Since 1992 he has released a string of tribute albums, including Perfectly Frank (to Frank Sinatra), Steppin' Out (to Fred Astaire) and On Holiday (to Billie Holiday). Capping the comeback was his 1994 performance on MTV Unplugged with guest stars Elvis Costello and K.D. Lang, which went platinum and won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Tony Bennett will be appearing at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 9 in the City Center Pavilion. Take the opportunity to experience one of the all-time great performers during one of Reno's all-time great events as the 11-time Grammy winner welcomes you with his brilliant smile and golden voice. Experience the globally renowned legend's breathtaking show during this one-night-only performance.

Tickets to see Tony Bennett are $60.50, $71.50 and $82.50 and can be purchased by phone at 1-888-288-1833; online at tickets.com or downtownreno.com and at Circus Circus' Main Cage, the Eldorado Showroom Box Office, Harrah's Box Office and Silver Legacy's Box Office.

In a unique collaboration called Downtown Reno, Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel, and Silver Legacy Resort Casino are working together to bring an unparalleled lineup of concerts, events and gaming promotions to Reno. With a common goal of positioning downtown Reno as the center of tourism in northern Nevada, the group is pleased to build on the success of recent concerts and events including performances by Michael Bolton, Jewel, LeAnn Rimes and Melissa Etheridge, live boxing events with ESPN2 and Showtime, and the thrilling $1 Million Stay, Play & Win promotion.