THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509280039
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Interview
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
WHITE SANDS, N.M. - testing ground for detonation of the first atomic bomb.
That was 1945. But there aren't any bombs 50 years later. In fact, when country singer George Ducas filmed in the gypsum sand dunes there, he scored a hit video for ``Kisses Don't Lie.''
It's one of country music's most exotic, sophisticated three minutes.
The easygoing singer will be at the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Saturday. Most of his offerings will be originals - perhaps more ballads than you normally hear at a country concert.
``I prefer ballads. Commercially, they're my bigger songs,'' said Ducas, during a phone interview from his Nashville home. ``Wait a minute.''
He was back a few moments later. ``Kissing my wife goodbye,'' he explained, referring to his loyal spouse who works for a rival record company.
Back to the ballads: ``I love that side of what I do, but I also love groove-oriented, bluesy things. A little of my harder side shows up, but more sparsely.''
Some of his musical heroes are the soft-voiced balladeers of the 1950s.
``I'm totally enamored of what country did then,'' Ducas said. ``A lot of the greatest music came out in the '50s, an exciting time.''
He is excited about the music business, which he describes as ``completely subjective. It deals with people's hearts and feelings.''
Ducas does the same. Check his hit list: ``Teardrops'' ``Lipstick Promises'' and the current favorite, ``Kisses Don't Lie.''
Ducas remembers the first song he wrote, at age 12.
``It was called `Women and Whiskey,' and I didn't know anything about either one,'' he said. ``Fortunately, I listened to Willie Nelson all the time and he seemed to know enough for both of us.''
He is still at it, currently penning the songs for his next CD.
``I'm about to enter that period,'' Ducas said, ``where I discover where I am.'' ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL GOMEZ
George Ducas' current favorite is ``Kisses Don't Lie.''
CONCERT FACTS
What: George Ducas at the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.
When: 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: 17th Street Stage.
How much: Free.
Fest facts: The festival's Boardwalk Celebration runs from 3 to
11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday from 12th to 30th streets along the boardwalk.
Call: 427-3580, Ext. 878, for general festival info. For info on
the country concerts, call 497-1310.
by CNB