Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts Announces First Residency with Yonkers’ Own Guss Hayes and the Guss Hayes Band

The Guss Hayes Band was the property’s first musical performance when Empire City Casino opened in 2006

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (“Empire City”) announced its first residency with local legend Guss Hayes and the Guss Hayes Band. The six-month engagement at the Northeast entertainment destination will begin Wednesday, March 4 and continue the first Wednesday of every month through August 2020.

The Guss Hayes Band will perform two shows in the Entertainment Lounge at noon and 2 p.m., and will feature the vocals of Hayes, accompanied by band members Philip Shimmel on drums, Jorgen Kjaer on keyboard, Paula Atherton on saxophone and flute, and Richard Pontrelli on guitar. The band was the property’s first group to perform when Empire City Casino opened in 2006 and has been a fan-favorite of the entertainment lineup.

“We are grateful to Empire City Casino for the opportunity to serve up some soulful sounds for Yonkers and its surrounding communities,” said Hayes. “To have another distinction of being the casino’s first musical residency is quite an honor.”

Hayes, a native of County Clare, Ireland, and a longtime Yonkers resident, is both Irish strong and Yonkers proud. He began his early career as a roof repairman, but quickly discovered his passion was performing under them. One day, while singing on the job, Hayes was approached by a homeowner about joining a band. A few months later, he started his own group comprised of talented vocalists, musicians and entertainers, which has performed across the United States, Ireland and Scotland. The Guss Hayes Band continues to delight crowds with songs from multiple genres and generations, seamlessly transitioning from Celtic classics to today’s Top 40.

The band’s residency is one of many additions to Empire City Casino following the acquisition of the property by MGM Resorts last year. Empire City recently integrated MGM Resorts’ world-class M life Rewards program, providing members an opportunity to earn exclusive access, valuable benefits, and incredible experiences at 20 MGM destinations nationwide. To sign-up for a free M life Rewards membership card, visit the M life Rewards desk at Empire City Casino.

Empire City Casino offers musical entertainment Tuesday through Sunday. All performances are complimentary and open to Empire City Casino guests. For more information on Empire City Casino’s entertainment offerings, visit www.empirecitycasino.com.

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