LeVarBurton turns back time in latest role

The Associated Press

NORRIS, Tenn. Ñ LeVar Burton knows time travel.

After seven seasons exploring the final frontier as Lt. Geordi La Forge on ÒStar Trek: The Next Generation,Ó Burton has turned back the clock a few centuries for his latest role.

He plays a ministerÕs son and doctorÕs apprentice in the fact-based CBS series ÒChristy,Ó about a teacher who comes to the mountains of Tennessee in 1912.

Filming now at the Museum of Appalachia, Burton recalled his own past, first winning acclaim as the young slave Kunte Kinte in the miniseries ÒRoots.Ó The late ÒRootsÓ author Alex Haley once lived nearby.

ÒA day does not go by that someone doesnÕt talk about Alex, usually relating a personal experience with him,Ó Burton said. ÒIt gives me an opportunity to feel close to him.Ó

¥¥¥

NEW YORK Ñ Singer Amy Grant is happy sheÕs broken out of her gospel-music shell, but sheÕs not about to abandon it, either.

ÒIÕll always sing gospel songs in my concerts,Ó Grant told the Daily News in an interview published Monday. ÒTheyÕre too important to leave out.Ó

GrantÕs transition to pop is nearly complete. Her new album, ÒHouse of Love,Ó has several songs with religious references, but when she sings about Òhim,Ó she doesnÕt necessarily mean ÒHim.Ó

Grant, 34, started sing ing gospel at 15. Her hit ÒBaby, BabyÓ three years ago helped her new image.

ÒIÕm enjoying the gradual process, and right now, IÕm about where I want to be,Ó Grant told the News.

¥¥¥

CAMARILLO, Calif. Ñ Country musicÕs Randy Travis cradled his guitar and tapped his foot, but instead of singing about heartbreak, the theme was home loans.

Travis was filming a television commercial Sunday for The CIT Group, a home equity and loan company based in New Jersey. The singer was picked for the ads because of his wholesome image, said CIT executive Randi Brody.

Between takes, makeup artist Gwen Ankenbauer fiddled with TravisÕ hair and powdered his cheeks.

Read Next Article