Sherrie Gold performs "Fool in Love" at Indiana Live Casino on January 16, 2009 in Shelbyville, IN. The original song is by Tina Turner and Sherrie performs a great version of the song. She's gives a great, live show!

The Center Bar inside Indiana Live Casino has become a daily live entertainment destination that features the best variety of music — and Gold is no exception. She and her husband-guitarist have got the goods as they faithfully re-create familiar favorites across the musical spectrum.

What started out as a two-weekend gig when Gold needed a fill-in guitarist has bloomed into an 11-year-strong partnership that has taken Gold and Howard across North America. The two have played everywhere from Atlantic City to Alberta.

Instead of taking the easy way out by singing and playing over prerecorded karaoke CDs, Howard arranges and records all of the bass, keys, drums and background vocals himself.

“Dan programs everything,” Gold said. “We feel it has the best sound.” Additionally, they are able to avoid traveling with a larger band — it’s just Gold’s powerful pipes, Howard’s Fender Stratocaster guitar and an Apple computer that holds the nearly 300 tracks in the duo’s vast repertoire.

On their blues-inspired rock cover tunes, Gold’s vocals channel several influences, most notably Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge — and she more than does them justice, especially when belting out two of her favorite songs: Susan Tedeschi’s “Hurts So Bad” and “Rock Me Right.”

Though her singing style pays homage to those smoky-sounding influences, don’t be fooled. Gold nails all the high notes — and can also convey the pain of the blues to her audience in a very soulful way. Such a huge vocal range from such a tiny frame makes Gold even more impressive. Howard supports her strong vocals with his impressive blues-rock-riffs and even more impressive solos.

And this is no four-hour-per-night gig. Gold and Howard are always adding new music to their playlist, ensuring a different show every night — and the increased likelihood that they can fulfill a wide range of requests, something that Gold encourages.

“If you get the same song request from five or so people, you know you should learn it. Our favorites are other people’s favorites,” she said, noting that country tunes have been extremely popular during her Indiana Live Casino performances. “As soon as we start a country song, heads perk up.”

Some of Gold’s favorite country artists include Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline and George Jones, and she said she looks forward to sharing those — and any of her other nearly 300 songs — with Indiana Live Casino guests.

“The people here are really nice,” Gold said. “They’re very down-to-earth, friendly, genuine people. We’ve been welcomed with open arms by both the staff and the guests here.”

Indiana Live Casino features more than 1,900 high-tech slot machines and electronic table games and an eatery catered by renowned chef Wolfgang Puck. In early 2009, the casinos permanent 233,000-square-foot facility will open adjacent to Indiana Downs and feature nationally renowned restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Indiana Live Casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week year round. For more, visit www.indianalivecasino.com.