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La Costa
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LaCosta Tucker (born December 12, 1951) is an American country music artist who recorded in the 1970s and 1980s as La Costa. The sister of country singer Tanya Tucker, LaCosta charted several singles of her own in the 1970s on the Billboard country singles chart, including the number three hit "Get on My Love Train".
Biography
[edit]Born in Seminole, Texas,[1] Tucker moved around frequently, as her father Beau Tucker was a construction worker. Tucker had two siblings, Donald, and younger sister, Tanya Tucker. Beau felt LaCosta had the talent to be a star, and Tucker won her first talent contest at age four. Between entering beauty pageants and talent shows, she performed with Tanya in a band called the Country Westerners.[1] She graduated from Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona, and began working as a medical records technician as she sang in clubs and became Miss Country Music, Phoenix.
LaCosta met and married airline pilot Darrell Sorensen, who fathered her children and also managed her career. Around this time, Tanya was becoming a country music star.[1] LaCosta chose to move to Las Vegas, to be near her; in 1974, Beau Tucker helped LaCosta get a recording contract with Capitol Records.[1] Going only by the name LaCosta, she soon had a hit record with "I Wanta Get To You", which landed at number 25 on the country chart, followed by "Get on My Love Train" at number three, and "He Took Me for a Ride" at number 10.[2] She charted 10 more singles for Capitol and recorded five albums for the label. In 1982, she moved to Elektra Records,[1] and she charted with "Love Take It Easy on Me" under her full name of LaCosta Tucker.[2]
In 1989, LaCosta toured with Tanya, and by the 1990s, was serving as president of Tanya's fan club. She raised two children, and for a time, made gourmet candy for sale on her sister's website.
Many of LaCosta Tucker's recordings are out of print, but a 2000 release, Sisters: An Anthology, contains some of her hits packaged together with Tanya's material.[3]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country [4] | ||
| Get on My Love Train | 6 | |
| With All My Love |
|
33 |
| Lovin' Somebody |
|
31 |
| La Costa |
|
— |
| Changin' All the Time |
|
— |
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country [5] |
CAN Country | |||
| "I Wanta Get to You" | 1974 | 25 | — | Get on My Love Train |
| "Get on My Love Train" | 3 | 6 | ||
| "He Took Me for a Ride" | 1975 | 10 | 21 | |
| "This House Runs on Sunshine" | 19 | 15 | With All My Love | |
| "Western Man" | 11 | 10 | Non-album single | |
| "I Just Got a Feeling" | 1976 | 28 | — | With All My Love |
| "Lovin' Somebody on a Rainy Night" | 23 | 17 | Lovin' Somebody | |
| "What'll I Do" | 37 | 28 | ||
| "We're All Alone" | 1977 | 75 | — | Non-album single |
| "Jessie and the Light" | 100 | — | LaCosta | |
| "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" | 1978 | 79 | — | |
| "#1 with a Heartache" | 94 | — | ||
| "Changing All the Time" | 1980 | 68 | — | Changin' All the Time |
| "It Was Time" | — | — | ||
| "Love Take It Easy on Me" | 1982 | 48 | — | Non-album single |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 225. ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
- ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ Sisters: An Anthology, Amazon.com
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ [2] [dead link]
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
La Costa
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Early Life
Birth and Family Background
LaCosta Juanita Tucker was born on December 12, 1951, in Seminole, Texas, to a working-class family deeply rooted in the region's cultural traditions.[6][7] Her parents were Jesse "Beau" Tucker, a construction worker and water well driller whose job necessitated frequent relocations, and Alma Juanita Tucker, who supported the family's nomadic lifestyle.[7][8] Beau played a key role in fostering his children's interests, including early connections to local music scenes through his encouragement of their talents, while the family navigated economic challenges in rural Texas.[7] LaCosta was the middle child among three siblings, with an older brother, Don Tucker, and a younger sister, Tanya Tucker, born on October 10, 1958, also in Seminole.[7] The Tuckers moved often during her childhood, primarily within Texas towns like Denver City, as Beau pursued day-labor opportunities in the oilfields, before eventually settling in places like Douglas, Arizona.[7] This peripatetic upbringing exposed the family to diverse rural environments, where country music became a constant through local radio broadcasts and home entertainment.[7] In the Tucker household, music was a staple, with family members gathering around the radio to listen to country tunes and watching television programs like The Lawrence Welk Show, which helped instill an early appreciation for the genre among the children.[7] While LaCosta's own path in music would follow, her younger sister Tanya later emerged as a major star in country music, highlighting the family's latent artistic potential.[7]Early Musical Influences and Performances
LaCosta Tucker, born in 1951 in Seminole, Texas, displayed an early aptitude for music within a family environment that valued country sounds as a staple of daily life. Her father, Beau Tucker, recognized her potential and encouraged her pursuits, fostering a supportive backdrop for her initial explorations in performance. At the age of four, she won her first talent contest in a local Texas setting, marking the beginning of her competitive stage presence amid small-town events and pageants.[9] Throughout her childhood and into adolescence, Tucker continued entering talent shows and beauty pageants across Texas locales, honing her skills in front of local audiences and building a foundation of confidence through these grassroots opportunities. These experiences, often in community fairs and school-related gatherings, exposed her to the rhythms of live performance in rural settings. By her teenage years, as the family relocated to areas including Arizona, she expanded her involvement by performing in informal local groups, which helped solidify her passion for country music.[3] In the 1960s, Tucker joined her younger sister Tanya in a sibling act within the band Country Westerners, based in Phoenix, Arizona, where they entertained at regional venues and family-oriented events. This collaboration during their formative years emphasized harmonious family dynamics in music-making, with the sisters sharing stages in casual, community-driven settings that mirrored the era's country traditions. Their performances drew from the classic country repertoire prevalent in household listening and radio broadcasts, shaping Tucker's stylistic influences without formal training.[9][4] Approaching adulthood, Tucker's early endeavors culminated in a strategic move to the Las Vegas area in the early 1970s, motivated by her father's industry connections and the desire for expanded performance prospects near family. This relocation, alongside her husband and young children, positioned her closer to emerging opportunities in Nevada's entertainment scene while leveraging the supportive network Beau had cultivated through his promotional efforts for Tanya. These pre-professional steps underscored a trajectory built on persistent local exposure and familial encouragement.[9][7]Music Career
Signing with Capitol Records and Debut
La Costa signed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1974, with assistance from her father, Beau Tucker, who helped secure the deal. This opportunity marked her transition from local performances to a professional career in country music.[9] Her debut single, "I Wanna Get to You," released later that year, achieved moderate success by peaking at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remaining on the chart for 15 weeks. The track's radio airplay helped establish her presence in the genre, drawing attention to her vocal style reminiscent of her sister Tanya Tucker.[9] Following the single's release, La Costa issued her first album, Get On My Love Train, in October 1974, which climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.[10] The album featured a mix of country-pop tracks and showcased her songwriting contributions, solidifying her initial foothold with Capitol.[11] In the wake of her debut releases, La Costa embarked on early tours, opening for prominent country acts such as Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, which exposed her to larger audiences and honed her stage presence.[3] Concurrently, she gained visibility through radio promotions and appearances on local television programs, further building her profile in the mid-1970s country scene.[12]Major Hits and Album Releases
La Costa's breakthrough with Capitol Records continued into the mid-1970s, marked by a series of charting singles that solidified her presence on the country charts. Her 1974 single "Get on My Love Train" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, becoming one of her signature hits and serving as a launchpad from her debut album.[2] This was followed by "He Took Me for a Ride" in 1975, which peaked at No. 10, and "Western Man" later that year, achieving No. 11.[2] By 1980, La Costa had amassed 13 charting singles on the Billboard country charts during her Capitol tenure, with additional releases contributing to a total of 14 chart entries in her early career.[2][3] Her album releases during this period showcased a blend of upbeat country-pop and heartfelt ballads, often produced with the support of Nashville's renowned session musicians. The 1975 album With All My Love peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and featured tracks like "This House Runs on Sunshine" (No. 19 single); it was recorded with contributions from steel guitarist Weldon Myrick and other Nashville players.[13][10] The following year's Lovin' Somebody peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and highlighted singles such as "Lovin' Somebody on a Rainy Night" (No. 23) and "What'll I Do" (No. 37).[2][14] Produced in Nashville on March 19, 1976, it involved musicians including trumpet player Don Sheffield, trombonist Roger Bissell, and bassist Tom Smith.[13] The track listing comprised:| Side | Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 1 | Living in Love Ain't Easy | 3:26 |
| A2 | 2 | Lovin' Somebody on a Rainy Night | 3:07 |
| A3 | 3 | Strong, Strong Wind | 3:00 |
| A4 | 4 | Your Love | 2:37 |
| A5 | 5 | When Love's Just a Contact Game | 2:46 |
| B1 | 6 | What'll I Do | 2:42 |
| B2 | 7 | Paper Airplane | 3:04 |
| B3 | 8 | Take Some of the Love | 2:49 |
| B4 | 9 | All Night Long | 2:53 |
| B5 | 10 | You Can Close Your Eyes | 2:22 |
Later Career and Label Changes
LaCosta Tucker's final album with Capitol Records, Changin' All the Time, was released in 1980 and featured the single "Changing All the Time," which peaked at No. 68 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[17][2] This release marked the end of her tenure with the label, during which she had produced five albums but saw diminishing commercial success compared to her earlier hits.[10] In 1982, Tucker transitioned to Elektra Records, releasing the single "Love Take It Easy on Me" under her full name, LaCosta Tucker, which reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and became her last significant chart entry.[3] This move represented an attempt to revitalize her solo career amid a shifting country music landscape, though no full album followed on the label.[11] Throughout the 1980s, Tucker maintained an active presence through extensive touring, including a notable run with her sister Tanya Tucker in 1989 that encompassed major venues as part of Tanya's high-profile concert schedule.[9] Following her final single release, her output as a lead artist decreased significantly after 1985, shifting focus toward supporting roles such as managing Tanya Tucker's fan club into the 1990s.[9] Many of Tucker's 1980s recordings remained out of print for two decades, limiting their accessibility until the 2000 compilation Sisters: An Anthology, which paired selections from her catalog with Tanya Tucker's hits on Renaissance Records.[17][18] This anthology provided a retrospective overview of her contributions, highlighting tracks from her Capitol and Elektra eras.[3]Personal Life
Marriage and Family
LaCosta Tucker married her college sweetheart, airline pilot Darrell Sorensen, in 1971, shortly before her sister Tanya Tucker's breakthrough success in country music began to reshape the family's trajectory.[3][9] The couple had two children: daughter Cali Tucker and son Zach Sorensen.[3] LaCosta and Darrell raised their family in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas, after relocating there around the mid-1970s to stay closer to Tanya amid her rising stardom, allowing LaCosta to balance emerging musical pursuits with domestic life.[9][3] As of 2025, LaCosta remains married to Darrell, with whom she shares a home life split between Nashville, Tennessee, and the Las Vegas area; she has prioritized family roles, including as a grandmother to Cali's daughter Adelin, while occasionally performing alongside her daughter.[3] This arrangement has enabled her to maintain close family ties without extensive touring demands.[9]Connections to Other Musicians
LaCosta Tucker's most prominent musical connections stem from her familial ties within the Tucker family, particularly her role as the older sister to country music icon Tanya Tucker. Born to parents Beau and Juanita Tucker, who recognized the musical talents of their children early on, LaCosta and Tanya grew up performing together in local contests and talent shows across Texas and the Southwest during their childhood. This parental encouragement fostered a shared passion for country music that propelled both sisters into professional careers, with the family's frequent moves for Beau's construction work providing opportunities to hone their skills in various regional scenes.[7][19] Their sibling collaboration extended into professional realms, beginning in the 1960s when LaCosta briefly performed with Tanya in a group called the Country Westerners. This early partnership evolved into a 1989 joint tour, where LaCosta supported Tanya's performances, blending their similar vocal styles on stage. By the 1990s, LaCosta further solidified her involvement by serving as president of Tanya's official fan club, managing fan engagement and promoting her sister's work during a pivotal period in Tanya's career.[4][9] LaCosta's ties to Tanya also manifested in recorded collaborations, most notably the 2000 compilation album Sisters: An Anthology, which pairs select tracks from both artists to highlight their intertwined contributions to country music. Beyond the family, LaCosta's network included guest appearances on television with contemporaries like Dolly Parton, such as on the syndicated show Dolly! in 1976 and 1977, where she appeared alongside artists including Emmylou Harris and Anne Murray, reflecting her integration into the broader country music circuit.[4][20]Legacy and Recent Work
Influence in Country Music
La Costa Tucker's musical style in the 1970s blended traditional country elements with pop sensibilities, evident in her melodic, upbeat singles that incorporated smooth production and crossover appeal. This fusion, often described as "pop-meets-country," allowed her to deliver songs with a strong soulful streak while maintaining authentic country storytelling, helping to bridge the gap between Nashville's core sound and broader commercial audiences.[17] Her approach paved the way for subsequent female artists navigating similar genre boundaries during the era's evolving landscape.[21] During her tenure with Capitol Records from 1974 to 1980, Tucker achieved significant chart impact with 14 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, including top-10 hits like "Get on My Love Train" (No. 3) and "He Took Me for a Ride" (No. 10). As part of Capitol's robust country roster, she contributed to the label's emphasis on emerging female talent amid a period of rising prominence for women in the genre, with her consistent mid-level successes underscoring the viability of solo female acts beyond superstars.[17][9] Tucker's lasting recognition includes her inclusion in the 2000 compilation Sisters: An Anthology, a joint release with sister Tanya Tucker that collected nine of her key 1970s hits, highlighting her enduring appeal. Among fans, she is appreciated for her under-the-radar tracks that captured heartfelt narratives, fostering a dedicated following that values her contributions to the genre's emotional depth.[17][18] Born in Seminole, Texas, Tucker exemplified the resilient spirit of Texas country women, drawing from regional roots to inform her performances and family-oriented themes. Her collaboration with sibling Tanya in early acts like the Country Westerners influenced later family-based ensembles in country music, emphasizing kinship and shared stages as a model for artistic solidarity.[9] Critically, her 1976 album Lovin' Somebody received praise for showcasing her vocal prowess, with reviewers noting her "nice and true-country" voice that conveyed emotional range and soulful delivery across diverse tracks.[17] This reception affirmed her technical skill and stylistic versatility within the 1970s country scene.Post-1980s Activities and New Releases
Following her active recording period in the 1970s and 1980s, LaCosta Tucker entered a phase of semi-retirement in the 2000s, shifting her focus toward family life and preserving her musical legacy. She split her time between Nashville and Las Vegas, prioritizing her roles as a mother to daughter Cali Tucker and son Zach, and as a grandmother to granddaughter Adelin. During this period, she contributed to archiving efforts by participating in the 2000 compilation album Sisters: An Anthology, which featured her major hits alongside those of her sister Tanya Tucker, making select recordings more accessible to fans. Her original five Capitol Records albums also became available through secondary markets like eBay, while platforms such as YouTube hosted fan-uploaded videos and performances to maintain engagement with her catalog.[3] In the 2010s and 2020s, Tucker made occasional live appearances, often centered on family collaborations that highlighted her enduring vocal style. A notable instance occurred when she joined her daughter Cali onstage for a duet of her 1977 No. 3 hit "Get On My Love Train," blending generational influences during Cali's performances. These selective outings emphasized personal milestones over extensive touring, aligning with her semi-retired lifestyle while fostering connections with newer audiences through her daughter's rising career. Tucker has expressed interest in future joint projects, including potential recordings and tours with Cali, to explore fresh interpretations of country traditions.[3] Tucker's return to new music came in 2025 with the release of her single "Woman Behind the Wheel" on October 10, via DistroKid; originally recorded in the 1990s but unreleased until then, the track celebrates themes of female independence, resilience, and the quiet strength of women who "drive life forward." Co-written by Cathy Majeski, Stephony E. Smith, and Sunny Russ, the track draws inspiration from everyday heroines, positioning it as an anthem for unsung contributors in families and communities. The song quickly gained traction, amassing over 100,000 streams on Spotify in its first week and earning praise for its heartfelt narrative and Tucker's timeless delivery.[22][5][23][24] Fan engagement has been bolstered through the family-oriented website calitucker.com, which includes a dedicated section on Tucker's career with links to her Spotify profile and Instagram (@lacostatuckerofficial) for updates and archival content. In 2025, she participated in radio interviews, such as a joint appearance with Cali on OzCountryMusicRadio.com, where she reflected on her career trajectory and the motivations behind her recent release. These media outlets have highlighted her transition from chart-topping artist to supportive matriarch, underscoring the personal growth that informs her contemporary work. No specific album or memoir projects have been announced for 2025–2026, though her collaborative plans with Cali suggest ongoing creative involvement.[3][25]Discography
Studio Albums
La Costa released five original studio albums on Capitol Records between 1974 and 1980, marking her primary output as a recording artist during that period. These albums showcased her country sound, often blending traditional elements with contemporary production, and were recorded primarily in Nashville studios, though later efforts shifted to California. None received RIAA certifications, and original pressings are now out of print, with limited availability through reissues or digital compilations.[13] Get On My Love Train was her debut album, released in November 1974 (Capitol ST-11345). Produced by Norro Wilson, it was recorded in New York City in February 1974 and Nashville in July-August 1974. The album peaked at No. 6 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and featured the hit single "Get on My Love Train," which reached No. 3 on the Hot Country Singles chart. Track listing:- Get On My Love Train
- Take Control
- He Took Me For A Ride
- Rings And Circles
- I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song
- I Wanta Get To You
- That's What Your Love Has Done
- Country Girl
- I Can Feel Love Growing
- Sugarman [13][10][26]
- Rescue Me
- Learning How To Love You
- This House Runs On Sunshine
- Good Love Don't Come Easy
- River Queen
- Let's Talk It Over
- I Just Got A Feeling
- Ain't It Good
- The Best Of My Love
- Too Soon To Tell [13][10]
- Living In Love Ain't Easy
- Lovin' Somebody On A Rainy Night
- Strong, Strong Wind
- Your Love
- When Love's Just A Contact Game
- What'll I Do
- Paper Airplane
- Take Some Of The Love
- All Night Long
- You Can Close Your Eyes [13][27]
- Jessie And The Light
- Hung Up In Your Eyes
- Honky Tonk Woman
- I Still Love You
- Showboat Gambler
- Even Cowgirls Get The Blues
- Stop In Nevada
- Play Me
- No.1 With A Heartache
- Take Your Love Away [13]
- Changin' All The Time
- For No Reason At All
- One Heartache
- Houston
- You Can't Hold On Forever
- If You Think You Know How To Love Me
- It Was Time
- Since I Fell For You
- We Don't Make Love Anymore
- Shades Of Blue [13]
Singles and Compilations
LaCosta charted 14 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart from 1974 to 1982, primarily released through Capitol Records until her final single on Elektra.[2] These tracks, often backed by traditional country arrangements, highlighted her vocal style akin to her sister Tanya Tucker's, with peaks ranging from No. 3 to No. 100. Chart positions reflect the highest placement on the weekly Hot Country Songs tally, which aggregates airplay and sales data.[2] Below is a comprehensive list of her charted singles, including peak positions, release years, labels, and known B-sides where documented.| Year | Single | Peak Position | Label (Catalog) | B-Side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | "I Wanna Get to You" | 25 | Capitol (3856) | Not specified |
| 1974 | "Get on My Love Train" | 3 | Capitol (3945) | Not specified |
| 1975 | "He Took Me for a Ride" | 10 | Capitol (4022) | "Sugarman"[28] |
| 1975 | "This House Runs on Sunshine" | 19 | Capitol (4082) | Not specified |
| 1975 | "Western Man" | 11 | Capitol (4139) | Not specified |
| 1976 | "I Just Got a Feeling" | 28 | Capitol (4209) | Instrumental version (promo) |
| 1976 | "Lovin' Somebody on a Rainy Night" | 23 | Capitol (4264) | Not specified |
| 1976 | "What'll I Do" | 37 | Capitol (4327) | Not specified |
| 1977 | "We're All Alone" | 75 | Capitol (4414) | "I Second That Emotion"[29] |
| 1977 | "Jessie and the Light" | 100 | Capitol (4495) | Not specified |
| 1978 | "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" | 79 | Capitol (4541) | Not specified |
| 1978 | "#1 with a Heartache" | 94 | Capitol (4577) | Not specified |
| 1980 | "Changing All the Time" | 68 | Capitol (4830) | Not specified |
| 1982 | "Love Take It Easy on Me" | 48 | Elektra (47414) | "The Best Is Yet to Come"[30] |