Country songstress goes from free concert to Strip headliner

Monday, Nov. 13, 2000 | 4:37 a.m.

What a difference a song makes.

Three years ago, Lee Ann Womack played a free concert at a locals joint during the National Finals Rodeo. Instead of playing to cowboys this year, the petite, blond Texan will be deliver a command performance during the Concert for the Nobel Peace Prize, which takes place Dec. 11 in Oslo, Norway.

Over the weekend, would-be concertgoers were turned away from her three-night, sold-out performances in Wayne Newton's showroom at the Stardust hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Womack says her transition from unknown to Strip headliner is representative of her career that has skyrocketed since the release of her No. 1 Billboard inspirational ballad "I Hope You Dance." The song won awards for best single and song at last month's Country Music Association awards.

"I think it represents where I am in my career right now," she said. "Seeing my name up there (on the marquee), it's been an amazing year and one I bet I'll hardly believe when I look back on it."

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