Sally Olson and Ned Mills

Carpenters Legacy Sparkles in Las Vegas

350 Shows in a Vegas Residency Happens with Talent, Faith and Persistence

By Debbie Hall / Photography courtesy of Carpenters Legacy

”The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra.

Sally Olson and Ned Mills, the driving force behind Carpenters Legacy, have brought their passion, shared belief in their entertainment path and unwavering dedication to life. Their journey, marked by hard work and perseverance, is a testament to their talent and the power of faith. On May 21, they celebrated a milestone of 100 shows for their residency at the V Theater, located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip inside the Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This was a significant achievement, considering their previous 250 shows during their residency at Alexis Park, bringing the total to 350 shows in a Vegas residency.

Along with performing in Las Vegas, they tour with their show and are currently working on their second album, which will be a treat for Carpenters fans. Carpenters Legacy was featured at the Carpenters 50th Anniversary Celebration held in Thousand Oaks, California (April 2019) and the Carpenters 55th Anniversary Celebration (April 2024) at the Downey Theatre in Downey, California (home of the Carpenters). Olson and Mills are the first-ever and only Karen and Richard Carpenter tribute artists to perform in the world-renowned “Legends in Concert” show. They survived the pandemic together and currently perform to enthusiastic audiences in Las Vegas and worldwide.

Olson’s portrayal of Karen Carpenter is truly unparalleled. She doesn’t just mimic her; she embodies her essence with authentic hairstyles, vintage costumes, gestures and a stunning voice. Her unique interpretation resonates with any Carpenters fan, making her performance a must-see for anyone who loves their music. Mills embodies Richard Carpenter with talent, musical styling, arrangements and infectious personality.

The road to Olson and Mills’ accomplishments and successes has not been without challenges. They have faced trials and tribulations, including working long hours, learning new skills and taking risks. But these challenges, which they have met with resilience and determination, have shaped their journey and made their success all the more inspiring. Their resilience to these challenges is a testament to their dedication and passion for their craft.

“I think every artist goes through that thing where their peers, family, relatives and friends question their career choice, but they ask with love. That reminds me of one night when Johnny Carson asked his audience two questions on “The Tonight Show.” He asked how many audience members believed doctors charge too much money and lawyers are corrupt. Most of the people applauded. He then asked how many wanted their children to become doctors and lawyers. They all laughed. That says it all,” adds Mills.

They have educated themselves on how to rent venues, promote themselves in new mediums such as social media and learn about the business aspect of the entertainment industry. They desire to understand all aspects of show business.

“It is still late nights for both of us, just doing all the behind-the-scenes work we do,” laughs Olson.

Their backstory has brought them to this stage of their lives and careers.

“I remember the first time I rented a concert hall. I nervously did it and didn’t know what I was doing. I was 29 years old and scared to death. I rented Thalian Hall in Wilmington, North Carolina, and did a show called “Piano Follies.” It sold out, and we did very well,” explained Mills.

“I grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In the 1990s, I played gigs all over the Carolinas.” After moving to Las Vegas, Mills performed and served as musical director for many corporate events at every major casino, including the MGM Grand, The Venetian and Mandalay Bay. He brought back his show, “Piano Follies,” a tribute to the music of Gershwin, Jerry Lee Lewis and Broadway tunes.

“I’ve always been an artist, visual and singing. My whole family is in dentistry, so in the early 2000s, after college and a post-baccalaureate studio art program, I started getting slightly nervous about how I would make a living as a visual artist,” said Olson. She worked as a dental hygienist for four years before returning to her passion, singing, in Burlington, Vermont.

Then fate took over with an introduction between Olson and Mills.

“For me, it’s been quite a long journey. I’m a decade into performing Carpenters Legacy. I started the early planning stages of this Carpenters tribute project during the summer of 2014, and it began as just a cabaret show that was going to be a one-time performance,” explains Olson.

“I didn’t know where it would go, and I enjoyed it, so I kept doing it. My interest and passion in this project brought me back to New York City at the Triad Theatre in April 2017, where I performed while studying at Circle in the Square Theatre School in 2010. A gentleman who attended my show introduced me to his childhood friend, Pam Sullivan, a former showgirl living in Las Vegas. She was very enthusiastic about what I was doing and said I should come to Las Vegas and audition for “Legends in Concert.” So, I made my first trip to Las Vegas in January 2018, and Pam introduced me to Ned at the Tap House,” explains Olson.

They connected and spoke about the Carpenters project. Olson wanted to find someone to portray Richard Carpenter and take it to the next level, and Mills was very interested. Olson would move to Las Vegas in April 2018, which was the beginning of their collaboration. They both admit they had no idea what challenges they would face. It was exciting for them, but also hard work to get a show from ground zero to a residency.

One of their first shows was at the CasaBlanca Resort, Casino, Golf & Spa in Mesquite, Nevada. However, after touring with the show, they focused on getting a residency in Las Vegas. Carpenters Legacy was booked into smaller venues, including Stoney’s Rockin’ Country and then The Mint. Shortly after their two-week stint at The Mint, the duo landed a residency at Alexis Park for 13 months and then moved to the V Theater in October 2023.

Carpenters Legacy is a recreation of live performances of the Carpenters celebrating the music and legacy of the famed brother-sister duo. They bring back the classics, “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Yesterday Once More” and “Superstar,” Karen’s drum solo, Richard’s classical piano feature, and comedy interspersed throughout the show.

They released their first album, “Carpenters Legacy: 1976,” which featured all their greatest hits as well as a Latin version of “Superstar” sung by Olson in Spanish and some bonus tracks.

“We’re in the finishing stages of our Christmas album, including the Carpenters’ greatest holiday hits, like “Merry Christmas, Darling,” “The Christmas Song” and “Sleigh Ride.” I composed an original Christmas song from the perspective of Karen and Richard producing music and added five and six-part jazz vocal harmonies to it,” said Mills. “It is entitled, ‘Christmas Time With You,’ and we’re really proud of it. Sally did a great job singing the lead vocal, and it’s very much in the spirit of the Carpenters.”

The album will feature strings, harp glissandos and a piano solo for “Oh Holy Night.” Once released, it will be available on CD and digital download on all the major streaming platforms, including Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music.

Olson works at her computer until the early morning, working on graphic design, answering emails and handling social media. Mills writes arrangements and negotiates contracts.

“We’ve had to educate ourselves to the point that we could write a book on how not to promote a show because we’ve made just about every mistake there is,” said Mills.

Mills credits his parents, who always encouraged him and were the driving force behind his career. At the end of the show, a photo montage of each of their families is displayed, and Mills always points to heaven to say hi to his parents.

Carpenters Legacy performs at the V Theater in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip inside the Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Showtime is 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday (dark Friday to Sunday). For tickets, visit www.vtheater.com.

Follow them on social media on Facebook @carpenterslegacy
Instagram @carpenterslegacylv
X @carpenterslv
TikTok @carpenterslegacy
YouTube @sallyolsoncarpenterslegacy

Sally Olson as Karen Carpenter
Artistic Director and Lead Vocals

Sally was born in Rutland, Vermont. She graduated cum laude from Middlebury College with a bachelor’s degree in both studio art and French. Additionally, she attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Florence Academy of Art in Italy and the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City. She has been involved in acting and singing since childhood and has participated in various local and regional commercials, films, theater and live music events. She starred in “Emily’s Bridge” for Heritage Automotive Group commercial, written and produced by Mt. Mansfield Media. The commercial won an award for “Television Agency Produced Most Creative Commercial” of 2011 by the Vermont Association of Broadcasters. She was also featured in the award-winning short film “Widow,” directed by Michael Fisher, which received acclaim at both the Green Mountain Film Festival and the White River Indie Film Festival in 2010. In addition, she appeared on the CBS television series “Hack” (Season 2, episode 15, “Extreme Commerce”), directed by Chad Lowe and starring David Morse and Andre Braugher in 2004.

For more than nine years, the Vermont native has immersed herself in all things Carpenters. From 2009 to 2018, she was the managing director of a voice studio in South Burlington, Vermont. Carpenters Legacy debuted in January 2015. In April 2017, she made her New York City debut at the famed Triad Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Ned Mills as Richard Carpenter
Musical Director, Arranger, Pianist, Lead and Backup Vocals

A versatile pianist, singer and entertainer, Ned Mills was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and began playing piano at four. He’s entertained audiences in more than 20 countries and on three continents. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in music cum laude in jazz arranging at North Texas State University, he moved back to his native North Carolina and performed regularly throughout the Southeast. He has opened for many national acts, including Bobby McFerrin, Don Rickles, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow.

He has served as musical conductor and arranger for the Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show, the Ink Spots and the Shirelles. His arrangements have been performed by the Dallas Jazz Orchestra and Miss North Carolina Pageant, as well as in Pizazz starring Debby Boone. He has also performed as a pianist for the Rockettes and in “Legends in Concert.” In 2003, Ned performed “Rhapsody in Blue” at the Liberace Museum on Liberace’s famous mirrored piano. His film and TV credits include appearances in “Matlock,” “Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story” and the George Lucas film “Radioland Murders.” He was the piano coach for Halle Berry and Eric Thal in Oprah Winfrey’s production of “The Wedding.”