Country or Pop?

Today in Music History: April 16, 1999

In the spotlight: Shania Twain

Shania Twain (born Eilleen Regina Edwards, August 28, 1965)
is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. 

1999 . . . Shania Twain became the first woman to be named as songwriter/artist of the year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Sometimes referred to as "The Queen of Country Pop" Shania is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time, having sold over 80 million albums and is ranked 10th best-selling artist of the Nielsen SoundScan era. She was also ranked 72nd on Billboard's "Artists of the decade" (2000–10).

For a kid who grew up singing in rundown bars, Shania Twain is the epitome of the expression "You've come a long way, baby!" She came from a poverty-stricken family and began singing at bars at the age of eight to try to make ends meet. Twain often earned twenty dollars between midnight and one in the morning performing for remaining customers after the bar had finished serving. 

Although she expressed a dislike for singing in those bars, Twain believes that this was her own kind of performing arts school on the road. She has said of the ordeal, "My deepest passion was music and it helped. There were moments when I thought 'I hate this'. I hated going into bars and being with drunks. But I loved the music and so I survived. Twain wrote her first songs at the age of ten, Is Love a Rose and Just Like the Storybooks which were fairy tales in rhyme. She states that the art of creating, of actually writing songs, "was very different from performing them and became progressively important".
Source: en.wikipedia.org

Shania Twain is an exception to the 'rule' and has therefore been the target of both acclaim and criticism. Twain's success is largely attributed to her deliberate crossover - from country star to pop sensation. She exploded onto the country music scene and won the hearts of America. Now, she is no longer singled out as a Nashville sound. Her music goes beyond Nashville as her fans cross the boundary from country to pop.

Shania Twain began as a country music artist. Does she still think of herself as country all the way or does she lean more toward being a pop star?

"I would definitely be considered a pop artist," says Shania. "My roots are country, that's for sure … As long as Dolly Parton always likes my music, then I think I'm safe."

Where is Shania Twain today? 

After staying out of the spotlight for almost a decade, Shania Twain has dominated Las Vegas this year. With hit after hit on both pop and country charts, she has now brought that magic to the massive stage of the Caesars Palace Colosseum. Twain's show comes with seven major costume changes and a lavish hotel suite she calls home.

Shania Twain has been a horse lover and owner for the longest time. She has always wanted to combine her music with horses in a spectacular production and it is finally happening! Shania Twain's new stage show in Las Vegas is all about horses! Watch the video HERE! 

Enjoy the music of Shania Twain!

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Shania Twain

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