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STAR POWER

Once on her way, Shania Twain has arrived

August 2005
BJ's Journal
By Kathleen M. Reilly

Shania Twain's musical career can be summed up in one word: Phenomenal. At age 39, she reigns as the top-selling female artist in history, with more than 41 million albums sold in the U.S. alone.

Although the Canadian born songbird released an earlier album, it was her 1995 smash The Woman In Me produced by husband Robert John "Mutt" Lange, 56, that propelled Twain into the ranks of superstardom. Merging country with a saucy pop sound, it sold 12 million copies, becoming the best-selling album by a female country artist. Her 1997 release, Come On Over, produced one hit after another (such as "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!"), selling 20 million copies and becoming the biggest seller by a woman in any genre. Combining supermodel good looks with a hybrid pop/country sound, Twain turned the music world upside down.

Her 2002 project, UP!, exemplified her something-for-everyone personna: released in the U.S. as a two-CD set, one CD offered a country version of the songs and the other a pop mix of the same songs. Despite performing hiatuses and time off to become a mom, the hits have continued, culminating in her latest CD Shania Twain Greatest Hits. It includes 17 favorites and three new songs, including "Party For Two," a flirty duet with country artist Billy Currington.

Although Twains rise to stardom has the makings of a fairy tale, her real life story is more complicated. Born Eilleen Edwards in the small town of Windsor, Ontario, her parents divorced when she was two. Her mother Sharon, then married Twain's adoptive father, Jerry Twain, an Ojibwa indian. In several published stories, Shania Twain, the second eldest of five children, described poverty so severe that mustard sandwiches were standard lunch fare. Encouraged by her mother, Twain learned to play the guitar at an early age and spent her childhood singing and writing songs. As Twain once said, "She was convinced I was going to be a little performer." Following high school graduation, Twain moved to Toronto, working as a secretary and singing with various bands. But when she was 21, everything changed: her parents were killed in a head-on collision, and Twain was thrust into the role of surrogate parent/family breadwinner.

It wasn't until her siblings were adults and on their own that she had the freedom to once again focus on her music. She moved to Nashville and adopted the stage name Shania, an Ojibwa Indian word meaning, "I'm On My Way." In 1993, she released her first album. But it was when she began working with Lange, best known for his work with rock bands like Def Leppard, that her career orbited into the stratosphere. The Twain-Lange collaboration ushered in a frenzied period encompassing albums, tours and many awards, including a 1999 Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year nod and five Grammys. Finally the couple, who married six months after meeting, retreated to Switzerland, where they are raising there four year old son Eja (pronounced "Asia"). As singles from her new CD climb music charts, Twain shared some thoughts about her career and life with BJ's Journal.

For many people, the arrival of the back-to-season brings a sense of new beginnings. What does this time mean to you?

Shania: I've always loved the start of fall. It's even more fun now that I have my son and we get to share the excitement of him preparing to go back to school.

How do you balance your music/work/family?

Shania: Music was always a staple in my family life growing up, so it doesn't seem that different to incorporate the two today.

You lost your parents when you were 21, leaving you as caretaker for your younger siblings. How did this experience change you?

Shania: Facing loss at a young age forced me to grow up quickly, which made me more motivated to go after the things I really wanted out of life. It taught me to not take things for granted. I try to live every moment to the fullest and appreciate what I have.

What do you consider the turning point in your career?

Shania: The recording of The Woman In Me was a milestone for me. It was proof that I was actually getting to do my songs.

You and your husband have become music powerhouses. How are you able to work together so productively?

Shania: Mutt and I are so much alike when it comes to work mode. We both take it very seriously and love music so much that it's just a natural fit. He gives me inspiration when I'm writing. I do most of that and he does the producing and mixing. I don't think that working together is easy for all couples. There has to be a mutual respect. It's not easy to draw the line between work and family.

Surely you had fantasies of being a star when you were struggling. Did you ever conceive of stardom on this scale?

Shania: Actually, I never really did fantasize about being a star. I just liked to sing and perform. I hoped I could always continue to do that but I never thought it would become what it has. That has been an added blessing.

Do you still see yourself as a country singer?

Shania: Absolutely! I grew up singing country, but I like to try everything. I never set boundaries on a project.

Besides music and family, what other things are close to your heart? Do you have any special charities?

Shania: Hunger is an overlooked problem. More than 13 million American children face hunger each year. Many people don't understand how hard it is for children to concentrate in school when they haven't eaten properly. I've been partnering with Americas Second Harvest since 1997. They get food to those who need it most and prevent millions of pounds of food from going to waste. Second Harvest's Kids Cafe Program prepares balanced meals, and it's a place where kids can go to do other things, like play basketball or get help with homework. I love working with the program because I know where these kids are coming from.

Tell us about your current projects?

Shania: My Greatest Hits album is out right now. I also recently concluded a special partnership with Febreze to raise money for America's Second Harvest. As part of the partnership, Procter & Gamble, the maker of Febreze, donated $100,000 to America's Second Harvest to support the fight against hunger.

You've achieved so many of your dreams. What challenges you now?

Shania: Every day is a challenge. I continue to write all my music, and then some. I also enjoy doing charity work, helping others out. The world is not perfect, so there will always be challenges there.

What does the future hold?

Shania: I never stop working so there are always new ideas musically. I am just enjoying being healthy and happy and spending time with my family.

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