Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203200008
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In a 20-year career that started when she was just 13, Tucker has gone from hit-making wonder kid to industry laughing-stock to respected Nashville veteran, winning 1991's Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association.
Tucker, 33, also has endured endless tabloid headlines, rumors about her unladylike image, drug and alcohol problems and unwed motherhood - twice.
She will perform tonight at the Salem Civic Center with Joe Diffie and Nuthin' Fancy. Here are some of her career highlights, or low points depending on how you look at it, that have helped dub Tucker the Texas Tornado:
1972 - At 13, Tucker releases "Delta Dawn," a song that makes the young new singer a sensation.
1974 - Nominated for CMA's Female Vocalist of the Year. Loses to Loretta Lynn. Also makes cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
1975 - First "Greatest Hits" issued. She is just 16. "Five years from now, I want to own the moon," she declares.
1976 - Drops out of high school.
1977 - Regularly playing Las Vegas now. Critics nickname her the female Elvis.
1978 - Moves to Los Angeles. Tries to become a pop/rock star. "TNT" album is released to blistering reviews. "I came from country, but I wanted the rest of those sons of bucks out there to love me, too," she has said since.
Later that year, the "new" Tucker debuts at the Grand Ole Opry, performing "Heartbreak Hotel" and Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" to a puzzled audience. Her rocker period lasts about a year.
1980 - Announces engagement to fellow country music star Glen Campbell. She is 21. He is 44. "I've never been attracted to men my own age," she says. The same year, they perform the national anthem together at the Republican National Convention. She also stars in CBS movie "The Georgia Peaches" with Dirk Benedict and Terri Nunn.
1981 - Police in Louisiana are called to quiet a loud, profane argument between Tucker and Campbell at a hotel. The couple eventually split without marrying.
1982 - Takes up with Andy Gibb, on the rebound from well-publicized split with TV star Victoria Principal. He is just one of many men Tucker is linked to romantically over the years. Others include actor Don Johnson, boxer Jerry Cooney and country singer Merle Haggard.
1983 - Hoping to jump-start a stalled career, she makes an appearance on TV's "Solid Gold." Then, she moves back to Nashville to stay.
1986 - Signs with Capitol Records after not recording for nearly three years. Hits "Love Me Like You Used To," "One Love at a Time," "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love" and "It Don't Come Easy" return her to the top of the country charts.
1988 - Checks into the Betty Ford Center to fight cocaine and alcohol addiction. "You send your a-- out on the road doing two gigs a night and after all that adoration go back to empty hotel rooms. Loneliness got me into it," she says afterward.
1989 - Gives birth to daughter, Presley Tanita, by actor Ben Reed. The couple never married. "I've never done anything the normal way. This is just one more example," she says.
1991 - Gives birth to son, Beau Grayson, also by actor Ben Reed. The same day, wins CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and receives a standing ovation from her peers at the awards show.
TANYA TUCKER in concert tonight at 7:30 at the Salem Civic Center. With special guests Joe Diffie and Nuthin' Fancy. $17.50. (800) 288-2122, 375-3004.
Keywords:
PROFILE
by CNB