THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601120046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
IT'S A FIRST for the World of Wheels Custom Auto Show at the Virginia Beach Pavilion - bringing in a country star.
It's a first for Ricky Van Shelton.
``I've never done this before,'' said the Grit, Va.,native during a phone interview from his Nashville home. ``I meet and greet after my shows, but just signing autographs is new to me.''
Shelton will have pen in hand today from 1 to 4 p.m., and again from 7 to 9 p.m.
For the most part, he is taking the winter off.
``I'll be doing a lot of Opry shows, but I'm off the road until May,'' Shelton said. ``Traveling gets old. I enjoy the music, but not all the travel.''
His fans certainly enjoy the music the award-winning performer makes. Twice, they voted him the TNN Music City News Country Awards Entertainer of the Year.
``Ricky Van Shelton has a voice so suited to two very distinct styles - the energetic early rockabilly/-rock 'n' roll and traditional country ballads,'' said Steve Buckingham, a former Columbia Records vice president.
``When I was about 5 years old,'' Shelton said, ``I told my mama I wanted to sing and draw pictures.''
He has achieved fame as an author/illustrator of best-selling children's books, ``Tales From a Duck Named Quacker'' and ``Quacker Meets Mrs. Moo.'' A new book about the famed fowl will come out later this year.
A book that is getting adult attention covers some former family problems and solutions. ``She Stays,'' a biographical look at Shelton family life, was penned by the singer's wife, Bettye.
She prefers life away from the limelight, but has been making the TV-newspaper rounds promoting her message, which Shelton said is: ``Don't give up on your relationship because of problems. A marriage is more than problems and should not be taken lightly.''
Shelton's '92 gospel album, ``Don't Overlook Salvation,'' went gold. Another gospel recording is in the planning stages, as is a country album he hopes will be released later this year.
Hopefully, he will have another record on the charts, but that is difficult for the artist because he is not a Nashville political animal, nor is he bashful about speaking out.
``A consultant contacts, say, 50 radio stations and tells 'em what to play and what not to play,'' Shelton said. ``If that one guy doesn't like a record, he can break you. It's not right for one person to have that power.
``Artists are not at fault. They're at the mercy of these guys. Record labels created them, went along with them. Now, they live with it,'' he said. ``Labels are out to make a dollar any way they can.
``The consultant is dictating what you hear. Millions of opinions are not being shared,'' Shelton said. ``It's getting real old. I know slews of people not listening to country radio because so much sounds alike because of the consultants. They'll be the cause of a major dive in country music in a few years.''
Shelton abhors that part of the business, but loves the music, especially when he performs at the Grand Ole Opry.
``I've been there many times. It's a real pleasure and an honor to be a member with all the greats of country,'' he said. ``It's special.''
Shelton's family is special to him, too. Bettye's brother, Rick Witt, his wife, Pamela, and their five children live in Suffolk.
``Two of the boys, Jessie and Caleb, said they want to be in a video,'' he said. ``If one comes up where I can use the kids, I will.'' MEMO: JUST THE FACTS
What: Ricky Van Shelton signing autographs at the World of Wheels
Custom Auto Show.
Where: Virginia Beach Pavilion.
When: todayfrom 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
How much: Tickets are $8, adults; $4, ages 6 to 12. Free to age 5 and
younger. Available at most Twin B Auto Stores and Pavilion box office.
Call: 428-8000
The Show: World of Wheels Custom Auto Show is open today from 10 a.m.
to 11 p.m. and Sunday until 8 p.m. by CNB