Carlos Vives

by Drago Bonacich
Before he graduated from Jorge Tadeo Lozanos University with a publicist degree, singer/songwriter Carlos Vives joined different bands and participated in several plays. In 1982, the artist got a role in the Colombian TV series Tiempo Sin Huella, starting his successful acting career, later extending his professional skills to the Puerto Rican television. After forming a band called La Provincia, the singer and guitarist began performing a local style known as Vallenato, successfully touring his native country and South America. In 1994, Carlos Vives La Gota Fria, became his first smash, climbing on the most important music charts around Latin America. In 1996, under the slogan of Unete A Los Locales (Join the Local Ones), the talented musician created his own label, called Gaira, to promote and give an incentive to local artists.