In the late 1990s Shania Twain entered into mainstream country music
sporting a new edge. Her music wasn’t the typical twang and southern
accents people were used to. Her music transformed country music, and
began the now mainstream pop/country genre that is so popular today. Her
life, however, has been marred by poverty and tragedy. Shania Twain is
most definitely one of the greatest success stories in country music.
Shania Twain was born Eileen Regina Edwards in Windsor, Ontario, Canada
on August 28, 1965. A few years after her birth, her mother Sharon
divorced her father, Clarence. Sharon then took Shania and her two
sisters to a rural town named North Timmins in Northern Ontario. Soon
after her divorce, Sharon re-married a Native Canadian from the Ojibwa
tribe named Jerry Twain. Twain soon after adopted Sharon’s children. The
newlyweds then had two more children; sons Mark and Daryl. Shania truly
lacked a childhood. Her family was worst than poor. In the winter, when
there was no place to work and the family had no money, the Twains
would go on the reservation and hunt animals such as deer and partridge.
To make matter even more difficult, Sharon was often clinically
depressed. Shania continuously worried that her and her siblings would
be taken away from her family. She tried to hide the fact that the
family was poor. She would bring pieces of bread with mustard on them to
school so that it would appear as if she were eating sandwiches for
lunch. Although the family struggled, Sharon realized that her daughter
had a gift, and influenced her to follow her passion of being a singer.
By the age of three Shania was singing. By the time she was eight years
old, Shania was performing full country songs to her family. She was
also performing in retirement homes and bars. At ten, Shania began
writing her own music.
By the time she was in her early teens, Shania knew she wanted to be a
professional singer. She had dreams of living without having to worry
about money. Everyday after school, Shania worked at the McDonalds in
her town. She also helped her father plant trees with his reforestation
businesses. When she was sixteen she became a member of a band called
Longshot. It was at this time that she began skipping school in order to
compose songs. When she was twenty-one years old, Shania moved away to
Toronto. In the daytime she worked as a secretary; at night she
performed in local clubs and bars. At twenty-two years of age, her
career halted. She received a phone call that her parents had died in a
tragic car accident. Although her two younger brothers were in the
vehicle, they survived. Shania went back to Timmins and raised her two
brothers and sister Carrie Ann. She soon moved the family to Huntsville,
Ontario and began performing once again. She sang at the Deerhurst
resort.
It was at Deerhurst that Shania’s career began. A friend of hers, Mary
Bailey, had a meeting with a few men from Nashville. The men, after
hearing Shania perform, invited her back to the country capital to cut a
demo. Shania received a contract with Mercury Nashville. Although her
first cd did not do too well, she caught the attention of producer Mutt
Lange. Lange got in contact with Shania. The two met in June 1993. They
co-wrote songs and eventually fell in love. On December 28, 1993 Shania
married Mutt Lange.
Shania’s second album, The Woman In Me, shot her to stardom. The album
was produced and co-written by her husband. The album was like nothing
ever heard before. Gone were the twangy melodies and instruments that
used to define country music. In its place were pop melodies that flowed.
That year, The Woman In Me sold eleven million copies, and Shania Twain
won a Grammy for Best New Artist.
Shania’s next album was entitled Come On Over. Shania also has a new
image. No longer did she appear to be like the girl next door. She was
sporting belly baring wardrobes, and had a very sexual image. She
immediately received criticism from country fans. Shania ignored the
assault and basked in the success of Come On Over. The album, to this
date, is the biggest selling country album of all time; both male and
female. It is tied for number five on the best selling cd releases. It
is behind artists Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Michael Jackson, and Led
Zeppelin. Come On Over is tied with The Bodyguard soundtrack.
Recently, in 2003 after a turn away from stardom, Shania Twain released
Up! The album, although not as successful as her previous, still did
well. Up! Features music from around the world. There is a recording
from Indian musicians which was recorded in Mumbai, India. There is also
music from an Irish orchestra. The singles were: “I’m Gonna Getcha Good,!”
“In My car (I’ll Be the Driver),” and “I’m Jealous.” Shania also
performed at the 2003 Superbowl Halftime Show.
Today Shania maintains her low-key attitude. She is not interested in
being famous or having star power. She just wants people to hear her
music. Prior to releasing up, he and Lange re-located to the mountains
of Switzerland. During that time, Shania Twain had her first child.
Shania loves horses and dogs. Her ability to rise from poverty and
affect country music leaves her as a benchmark for her genre.
Bio written by: bandhunt |
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