SPECIAL TO THE PVT Tony Marques will play at the festival. Advertisement

Tony Marques is as close as Las Vegas most of the time, playing at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill at Harrah's.

The 36-year-old singer/songwriter never imagined himself as a country music artist, but the purchase of a karaoke machine in a store that allowed the buyers to record themselves singing changed the direction of his life.

The store owner was impressed with Marques' voice and asked him to join a few others in performing at private parties and corporate events.

Marques was 22 at the time, and floundering ... trying to decide what kind of career he wanted. It didn't take long for the young artist to gain confidence and a following. No longer doubting his path in life, Marques formed his own band and launched a career.

He's done well and developed an audience appreciation, earning the attention of the Las Vegas high class casinos. He has played venues at the Mirage, the Sahara, Gilley's and the Fremont Street Experience, and Harrah's just renewed his contract for 2008 as the house band at I Love this Bar.

It takes a lot of work to become a "star" and a household name, but Marques is diligent. He's made one self-titled CD and another one is in the works.

Some of the highlights for him have been working closely with a few of the top songwriters in Nashville. He's performed as the opening act for Rick Trevino, the late John Denver and Craig Morgan. He's scheduled to open for Sawyer Brown in December.

Marques has a busy schedule. Besides performing his regular shows at Harrah's, he's traveling back and forth to Nashville to work on his new CD, still performing private parties and celebrations in Las Vegas and making time to "give back to his community."

Having a little girl of his own gave rise to interest in charities like the Children's Miracle Network and the C.P. Squires (a benefit for homeless children).

Marques and his band will perform on the Fall Festival stage at 9 p.m., Saturday, and the concert is free.

For more information on Tony Marques and to hear some of his original music, go to www.tonymarques.com.