VINNIE PAUL, PAUL SHORTINO, IRA BLACK Record New Opening Song For CARROT TOP

Vinnie Paul Abbott (PANTERA, HEALLYEAH),Paul Shortino (QUIET RIOT, ROUGH CUTT),Ira Black (VICIOUS RUMORS, LIZZY BORDEN, HEATHEN, METAL CHURCH) and Tyler Burgess (bassist for SHORTINO band) have recorded a cover version of the classic song "Send In The Clowns", to be used as the new opening for comedian Carrot Top's stage show at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada. The music for the track — which was popularized by Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand and written by Stephen Soundheim — was laid down at Hit Track Studio in Las Vegas.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, Carrot Top "heard this song randomly (how else?) when surfing his car stereo a few months ago while stopped at a traffic light on Spring Mountain Road and Jones Boulevard. He thought of the moment in his show where he refers to himself as a 'mean clown' and imagined that song in the hands of some of his heavy-metal buddies. He first asked Shortino to take part, and the project quickly came together as Shortino summoned Black, Paul and 18-year-old session player Tyler Burgess on bass."

"Send In The Clowns" was reportedly recorded with a modern twist; it starts out traditionally and then explodes into a balls-out rocker."

Commented Dan O'Leary, Carrot Top's tour manager, "Vinnie Paul surprised everyone when he arrived with a posse of clowns. They were all decked out from head to toe in full clown outfits and elaborate masks, including Vinnie himself."

A video for the song — which should be ready in three to four weeks — is also in the works.

Check out photos from the recording session from Wire Image. More pictures can be found at the Las Vegas Sun.