Travis, Carter carry on tradition

Penny Levin

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1997 | 5:22 a.m.

COUNTRY SUPERSTAR RANDY TRAVIS and fast-rising singer Deana Carter will be performing in the showroom at the Las Vegas Hilton during the National Finals Rodeo.

Travis, one of country music's most re-nowned and loved stars will showcase his talents Dec. 11-13 at 10 p.m. in the Hilton Theater.

Carter headlines in the theater Dec. 8-9, beginning at 10 p.m.

Travis believes timing is everything, and his inner clock is obviously ticking well since he has almost 50 of entertainment's top awards to his credit.

The lanky country star became an overnight success when he was named Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music in 1985.

Travis has the ability to remain a star in the contemporary sense and, at the same time, continues to have a unique, old-fashioned bond with his audience.

Writing and singing have been part of Travis' life since he started playing VFW halls with his brother Ricky at age 10.

A not so happy home life spurred Travis to run away repeatedly. Fate intervened in the form of a woman who owned a nightclub in Charlotte, N.C. She heard him sing at a talent contest and managed to get Travis released into her custody after springing him from jail.

She put him to work in her club, slinging burgers, hanging drywall and singing when he got the chance.

The rest is country music history.

Travis' newest album "Full Circle" demonstrates the singer's knack for great timing.

The trademark classic country disc is being released at a time when "classic" and "country" are considered "cool" and "hip." Many artists and industry insiders credit Travis with first bringing this association together, exposing the country music genre to the masses and paving the way for other artists.

As for Carter, the newcomer likens her career to that of an Aesop's Fable.

"The diagram of my life holds true to the story of the tortoise and the hare. I've seen so many people be so successful ahead of me that I thought I'd never see the finish line. I honestly believe I am the turtle finally making it across," she said.

Carter is the daughter of Fred Carter Jr., one of Nashville's most sought-after session guitarists during the late 1950s through the late '70s.

Because of her father, Carter grew up in studios watching musicians at work.

"There was always music in our house. At family reunions, you either found a harmony part or washed dishes, so I chose the harmony part."

Carter's big hits include "Strawberry Win," "I've Loved Enough to Know," "Count Me In and "Before We Ever Heard Goodbye."

She co-wrote six of the 11 songs on her latest album "Did I Shave My Legs for This?" According to the singer, each of the songs is taken from something that happened in her life.

Country music lovers will have double the opportunity to enjoy an evening of entertainment with the booking of both western stalwarts.

Performance Information

Where: Las Vegas Hilton

When: Dec. 8-9, 11-13

Information: 732-5755