Sure can do, try:
1 - start ED and click on Help > User Guide
2 - click on T
3 - look at the stuff about text in a path
Alternatively:
(a) type the text
(b) draw a rectangle that closes matches the text area
(c) apply a Fill to the rectangle
(d) juggle filled rectangle under text object in the Layers panel
Whatever of the above you try the filled object (eg rectangle) does not need to be flat color. It can have a gradient fill.