Submitted Photo Terry Fator performs with his puppets Elton John and David Bowie.

Las Vegas headliner and America’s Got talent winner Terry Fator is bringing ventriloquism, comedy, singing and impressions to Minot for Norsk Hostfest this month.

From the time Fator was young he knew he could sing.

“My first memory is singing for a group of adults. I loved making them laugh,” Fator said.

Then, he found a book in his school’s library on ventriloquism.

“It intrigued me. Ever since I found that book, I set sights on becoming a professional ventriloquist. I never deviated from it,” Fator said.

Fator has spent more than 50 years honing his craft and perfecting the illusion.

“Good ventriloquists are magicians. We make inanimate objects come to life. We can make voices come from puppets, other rooms and objects; we create magic,” Fator said. “When you can make a puppet seem like a living character, and the material is funny, it becomes whimsical. It makes us all children again. I love that I can do that.”

Fator guides his audiences into a fantasy world, causing them to lose track of everything else.

“That’s why I don’t do politics because everybody is always fighting over something, and my job is to make you disregard politics and just enjoy a laugh. Forget all the nonsense and be a kid again,” Fator said.

Singing impressions are the focal point of what Fator does, but he does it through characters and puppets.

After deciding which character is best to sing the chosen song, he writes a comedy routine centered around it.

“Music is paramount to my act and what I do because it binds us together, regardless of what age you are. It’s the glue that holds my act together. Mixing that with humor and ventriloquism, it’s unlike anything else you’re ever going to see,” Fator said.

Fator will be bringing along his entire crew of puppets that many know, including his turtle Winston, who is “by far the most famous and most beloved of all my characters,” Fator said.

An Elvis impersonator puppet, along with “Vickie the cougar,” also will be accompanying him.

“Vicki is a huge fan favorite. She is based on a lot of the ladies I’ve met in Hollywood who look more silicone than flesh. It’s funny because whenever people bring kids to the show, and I ask them, ‘Who’s your favorite puppet?’ they all say, “Vicki,” Fator said.

Although it is to be Fator’s first time performing his ventriloquism act at Norsk Hostfest, he has visited and performed in Minot many times with his band.

“It’s one of my favorite places in the country to come to. I have never been with my wife, Angie, so I can’t wait to show her the incredible area,” Fator said.

Fator will be performing on Friday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Vikings.