The White Falcon - 28.10.1988, Page 6

Celebrity show
Nicolette Larson
sings for base
by J02 Scott Johnson
The patrol squadron hanger darkens as bright
lights flash upon the equipment-strewn stage. A
perky, petite brunette bounds onto the platform,
greets the anxious crowd and goes straight into a
song.
An hour later, after an energy-packed
performance and an encore, this woman smiles,
waves to the applauding audience and exits the
stage with another show successfully done.
This was the scene last Friday night, when
country/pop music star Nicolette Larson performed
at the patrol squadron hanger as part of an United
Service Organizations (USO) celebrity tour.
Kef 1 avik was the first stop on her tour of remote
military sites which will include Greenland, Cuba,
Honduras and Panama.
Larson will not just be traveling with her band
and technicians, but with a film crew from “The
Nashville Network" (TNN). The TNN crew will be
documenting Larson's tour for release on their
cable network.
Putting together a USO celebrity show is not
easy. It is the job of USO executive producer, Kevin
J. McCarthy, to make it all happen.
“One of the hard parts is finding an artist who is
able to take time from their busy schedule,"
McCarthy said. “In Nicolette's case, we told her
that we had two areas open to her, either the North
Atlantic or the Caribbean. She said, ’why not do
both!"
“I thought it was a good thing to do," Larson said.
“I've never worked with an all military audience
before. I enjoyed it and I think that people in
remote places, like Iceland, are more receptive.’
Many people think that celebrities live a life of
ease and luxury, but according to Valerie Carter,
Larson's background singer and longtime friend,
the opposite is true.
“Sure, there are many nice material things which
come with stardom," Carter said, “but people don't
see the other side of the coin. It takes a lot of hard
work and long hours to become successful.
“In the music business, I think it takes about 10
percent talent and 90 percent drive to be
successful. Of course, luck plays a big part too."
Larson for many years sang background vocals
for many music stars, like Neil Young, before
becoming a celebrity herself with her hit song
“Lotta Love."
"It was a shock becoming famous," Larson said,
“you really have to adjust. It's nice to have
success, but you can't let it get to you. You have to
roll with it.
Nicolette Larson tries on a pair of wool
slippers during a shopping tour to Reykjavik.
(Photos by J02 Scott Johnson)
Larson sings a song during her USO celebrity concert held at Hanger
831 last Friday night. Larson is doing a series of shows at remote
military locations.
Larson tries to catch a little sleep before
catching a flight to her next show in Greenland.
"One of the most important things is not to
elieve your own publicity. If you do that, you'll
eceive yourself. *
While here, Larson signed autograph's at the
SO and made an appearance at the USO's Lip Sync
ontest held at the elementary school.
It wasn't all work and no play for Larson and her
crew. During their stay, they enjoyed sightseeing
and shopping in Reykjavik. Many of her crew also
went for a relaxing dip in the Blue Lagoon.
But, the relaxation didn't last for long, as it was
time to pack their suitcases and equipment for the
next stop on their tour, Thule Air Base, Greenland.
Even though Larson and her crew didn't get to
spend much time here, they enjoyed their visit.
“I had a great time here," Larson said. "The
people were very helpful and we were treated
really well."
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The White Falcon
October 28, 1988
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