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Vikki Carr      

Vikki Carr (born July 19, 1941 in El Paso, Texas as Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona) is an American singer who has sung in a variety of music genres, including jazz, pop and country, but has enjoyed her greatest success singing in Spanish.

Vikki Carr’s career was officially launched in the early sixties when she was signed to a contract with Liberty Records. She recorded “He’s A Rebel,” which first became a hit in Australia.

1966: Tour Vietnam with friend Danny Kaye.

1967: Album “It Must Be Him” nominated for three Grammy Awards in the categories of “Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance,” “Best Vocal Performance Female” and “Album of the Year.” Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II. Critically acclaimed performance in “South

Pacific,” Starlight theater, Kansas City.

1968: Outstanding Entertainer of the Year, Los Angeles. Performance at London Palladium set precedent for sellout concerts in Germany, Spain, France, England, Australia, Holland and Japan. Tapes six “Vikki Carr Specials” for London Weekend TV.

1969: Hit “With Pen In Hand” nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of “Best Contemporary Vocal Performance Female.” Performed in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” John Kenley Players, Ohio.

1970: Signed with Columbia Records. American Dairy Association offered $10,000 to Carr’s favorite charity in return for her endorsement. In return, Carr used the money to establish the “Vikki Carr Scholarship Foundation.” Named “Woman of the Year” by the L.A. Times.

1971: Vikki Carr Scholarship Foundation established in California for Mexican-Americans pursuing a Higher education. Performs benefit concert to support Holy Cross High School in San Antonio, Texas. Concert appearances provide support for 22 years.

1972: Released first Spanish-language album, “Vikki Carr en Espanol.” Named “Entertainer of the Year” by the American Guild of Variety Artists. First foreign artist to be named “Entertainer of the Year” in Mexico.

1973: Honorary Chairperson for two consecutive years, for The American Lung Association Christmas Seals Campaign. Received Doctorate in Fine Arts from St. Edwards University. Received Doctorate in Law from San Diego University.

1976: Triumphant return to London Palladium.

1977: Tours Japan

1979: Receives Toast Master International Humanitarian Award.

1980: Signed with CBS Mexico (now Sony) and concentrated her efforts on Spanish Language recordings, which garnered Gold and Platinum records for such Hits as “Total,” “Disculpame” and “Mala Suerte.”

1981: Presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Received the Nosotros Golden Eagle Award as Humanitarian Woman of the Year.

1982: Received A.C.E. Award for “Best Female Singer – Disculpame”

1983: Broke house records at the Westport Playhouse in St. Louis for “I’m Getting My Act Together” and “Taking It On The Road.”

1985: Won first Grammy Award for “Best Mexican-American Performance for her first mariachi recording, “Simplemente Mujer.”

1986: Named “Hispanic Woman of the Year; by the Los Angeles Hispanic Women’s Council.

1987: Popular hit “It Must Be Him” featured prominently in the Academy Award Winning movie “Moonstruck.”

1988: Received Nosotros Golden Eagle Award for “Outstanding Performer.”

1989: Released Sony Album, “Esos Hombres,” went Gold and Platinum in Mexico, Chile, Puerto Rico and the United States. Received second A.C.E. Award. Received “Visiting Singer of the Year” from Aplausos ’89, Aruba.

1989: Featured singer at Nixon Library dedication where she sang for Presidents George Bush, Ronald Regan, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon. Received the “Founder of Hope Award” from the City of Hope, Los Angeles. Received Career Achievement Award from the Association of Hispanic Critics.

Received the YMCA Silver Achievement Award. Performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Broke record for Sunday performance of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at the Houston Astrodome.

1990: Received Key Girl Scouts of America Award.

1992: Won Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album for “Cossas del Amor.” Received Premio Ronda for “Best Female Album,” Venezuela.

1993: Nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Latin Pop Album” for “Brindo A La Vida, Al Bolero, A Ti.”

1994: Performed in Concert of the Americas for the Presidential Summit hosted by Bill Clinton.

1995: Won Grammy Award for “Best Mexican-American Performance, Vocal or Instrumental” for “Recuerdo a Javier Solis.”

1996: Received the Hispanic Heritage Award, Washington, D.C.

1998: Received Imagen Foundation’s first “Humanitarian Award” for outstanding contributions to the Hispanic Community.

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