Since 1991 thumb|right|300px|Carlos Vives Upon his return to Colombia in 1991, he was offered a TV role that would change his life forever. He was cast in the leading role of a fantasy series based on the life of vallenato composer Rafael Escalona unsurprisingly titled Escalona. He sang the composer's songs in the series, and that's when he retooled his career towards vallenato,Vallenato.com, . gaining national success with the release of the Telenovela's two soundtrack albums, Escalona: Un Canto a la Vida and Escalona: Vol. 2.
sincE 1991 ThUmB|rIGht|300PX|cARlos vIVes upoN his return to cOloMbiA in 1991, he was oFfErEd a tv role thAt wOuLd cHAnGE hiS lifE fOreveR. HE was cAsT iN The lEadInG rOlE of a Fantasy sErIes baSed on tHe liFe of valLenaTO composeR Rafael escalOna unsurprIsINgly TitLed esCaLona. he sang the Composer's SONGS in thE serieS, aNd that'S WHen he REtooled his caReEr TowaRdS ValleNatO,VallenaTo.com, . gainIng natIonAl SuCcesS wiTh the Release Of The TelEnoVEla'S TWo soUnDtRACk aLBUmS, eScaLONa: uN cAnTo a la Vida aNd Escalona: VOl. 2.