Ricky Van Shelton
Ricky Van Shelton ( born January 12, 1952 in Grit, Virginia) is an American country singer.
Childhood and youth
Ricky grew up in rural Virginia. While his father played music in a gospel quartet, he was interested mainly for British pop. His older brother played in a country band. He persuaded Ricky to enter as a singer and as he moved with 14 years in the country music.
After graduation he held odd jobs over water. At night he played in the local club scene. His girlfriend and later wife Bettye got a job in Nashville, and he joined without much hesitation. In the Music City, he focused exclusively on his musical activities. One day he met the specialized journalists Jerry Thomson know, whose wife was a work colleague of Bettye. Thomson, who would become his manager later, contacts gave him the record industry. In 1986, he signed a contract with Columbia Records.
Career
His first single, Wild Eyed Dream from the album of the same name was also placed in the top 10. Only a year later he made with Somebody Loved his first number - one hit. Back in 1988, followed by Life Turned Her That Way, the next top spot in the country charts. He had between 1987 and 1992 a total of 13 number - one hits. The musical range of the baritone ranged from gentle ballads to country-rock, early 1990s, he joined the New Traditionalist boom on.
In 1988, he won the CMA Horizon Award for best young musicians. A variety of other awards followed. In the same year he first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. With his albums, he was also extremely successful. Many reached gold or platinum status. Also be published in 1992 gospel album Do not Overlook Salvation sold well. He used written partly self- songs and frequently intervened back to classic.
Early 90s Van Shelton wrote several children's books, which he sold on his own publishing house. The sales of his records were by 1993 more and more, and he lost his Columbia contract. At this time he had a massive alcohol problems. In 1997, he succeeded to the self-financed album Making Plans a comeback. The content of his songs were religious, and he received several awards Christian institutions.