|
NEWS UPDATED:
April 2003
 To
discuss the latest Shania news, or Shania's music, stop by the
Shania Twain North American Online Fan Club
Message Board
 
0304.29-Shania-Cover
Girl
Shania Twain will be featured in the cover story of the
June issue of Maxim. She discusses
several topics, including her career, album and more. We've heard the
cover photo is "really sexy."
Maxim is just the latest magazine over the years to feature Shania on the
cover. She's been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone, People,
Redbook and T-V Guide. -- Donna Hughes
0304.29-Shania
talks about her new single
 Shania
looked forward to making the video because she admits there are many
things about the song that just feel right. "'Forever and for Always' just
feels good. It's one of my favorite songs. It's a true 'me' song.
It may not be a typical commercial Shania song that everyone is used to,
but there's more sides to me than just the cheeky, sassy female. I
mean, I like writing a good old folky love song and that's what this
is."
LISTEN TO
SHANIA TALK
0304.27-Forever
and For Always [CMT]
Shania premiered her NEW VIDEO,
"Forever and For Always", on CMT Most Wanted Live. Remember to
VOTE for the video and
KEEP
Requesting the single on RADIO!!!! Let's get
Shania to NUMBER ONE this time!!!!
WATCH THE VIDEO!!!!
 VIDEO
PREMIERE!!!!
0304.26-Dolly
Tribute Album [RollingStone]
As reported previously, Shania is taking part in a tribute
to Dolly Parton. Rolling Stone Magazine has posted a tracking of the disc,
which is due out in the fall
Track listing for Just
Because I'm a Woman:
"Coat of Many Colors,"
Shania Twain
"Dagger Through the Heart," Sinead O'Connor
"Light of a Clear Blue Morning," Allison Moorer
TBD, Emmylou Harris
"The Grass Is Blue," Norah Jones
"The Bargain Store," Paula Cole
"I Will Always Love You," Melissa Etheridge
"Do I Ever Cross Your Mind," Joan Osborne
"About Suzanne," Allison Krauss
"The Seeker," Shelby Lynne
"Jolene," Mindy Smith
"Little Sparrow," Kasey Chambers
"Just Because I'm a Woman," Dolly Parton
0304.24-Fan
Con and Shania visit update [STNAOFC]
 Hi
All
I don't get an opportunity to check on the various fan forums as much as
I'd like, but after taking a peek today, I thought I had better respond. I
think that the views and opinions of all Shania fans are extremely
important in helping us to offer a successful experience at the Shania
Twain Centre.
That being said, I have purposely tried to keep from posting in fan forums
because in the past I have come under criticism for posting information in
some, but not in others. What it basically comes down to is that I simply
don't have the time to keep on top of all the groups that exist.
I can only suggest that if issues of importance come up that involve us,
that someone from the forum contact us and we would be more than happy to
respond and provide the correct information.
That being said, I should point to my post of March 28th under the "Shania
likely to return home this summer ?" thread, where I thought I had made it
clear that the media reports of a visit being confirmed were false.
We do not have any indication at all that Shania is coming this summer
either before, during, or after the Fan Convention.
COULD a visit happen? Certainly. It could.; But
as of yet, we do not have confirmation of anything except Shania's
repeated message that she does want to come home to Timmins and that they
are working very hard on securing a date, but that it is still dependant
on the tour schedule.
From the start, we have viewed the Shania Twain Centre Worldwide Fan
Convention as an annual opportunity to bring fans from around the world
together in Shania's hometown. It is a chance to meet, interact and have
fun with your fellow fans and also a chance to find out about all of the
things that make Shania proud to call Timmins her hometown.
Because we are hoping to make this an annual event, we know that we cannot
count on a visit from Shania to make it a success.
A visit during a fan convention at some point would certainly be a special
treat, but not one that we could count on from year to year.
What will make this event truly special is the opportunity to cement
the friendships that you have developed online and to come and take part
in an event in what we think is a special community.
I am sorry for posting such a long reply but I realize that this subject
is very important to everyone and I want to make sure that the right
message is getting out. We have all seen the consequences of the wrong
message getting out, particularly when the media pick up on it.
Thanks
Will
For more information on the fan convention, check out
the STC
site.
I for one, am looking forward to my third trip to the STC!
0304.24-The
Tour [Net
Music]:
According to Sheila Green, Shania's tour is set to start in
North America, in September. Shania begins rehearsals with the "Fabulous
Falls" in June.
0304.24-Shania:
Is she real or digital? [Blur]
For her video,
"I'm Gonna Getcha Good", Shania entered the world of computers.
The whole world of the video was created on computer, and for certain
shots, like the stunts, and the cycle chase, Shania was even made into a
digital model.
CGI Shania:
Another challenging aspect of the project was the
building and production of a digital double of Shania Twain. The digital
character was used in wide and medium shots involving complex stunts as
well as one sequence where the digital double
 appears
in near close up. In order to make the animation appear real, Blur
animators mapped a real image of Twain’s face onto the digital character’s
head.
How many shots?
When the animators set to work in creating the CG
scenes, less than three weeks remained in the production schedule. Even
with 27 artists assigned to the project, delivering 110 shots, 70 of which
were all or mostly CG, was a challenge. “It is the largest number of
artists that we have ever had working on one project,” said Blur Studio
producer Al Shier. “The logistics of organizing the work was crucial; it
was also imperative to maintain consistency in the animation, particularly
in terms of lighting and the look of the shots.”
Check out their
site.
0304.24-Shania
to Perform at ACM Awards [ACM]:
According to the press release, Shania will be performing her new single,
"Forever and For Always". Shania has received 4ACM Awards in the past, and
is currently nominated for "Best Female Vocal".
From the press release:
With her latest release, “Up,” Shania Twain, is on her
way to becoming the first artist ever with three consecutive 10
million-selling albums. The record
setting new album sold a staggering 874,000 in its debut week and held at
number 1 on the charts for five consecutive weeks. This album followed the
success of “Come On Over,” which was the most successful female solo
artist album of all-time with world-wide sales of over 34 million and the
release of “The Woman In Me,” another 10 million plus seller. Twain has
been accorded endless awards and honors since breaking into the country
music scene in 1995. She has won five Grammy Awards, named Entertainer of
the Year in 1999 and 2000 by the Academy of Country Music and Country
Music Association; and captured 22 BMI songwriting awards.
The show airs May 21st, 8pm on CBS
0304.22-Calling
all Shania Fans [CMT]
Have
a story you would like to share about meeting Shania, or tell
everyone how you are her number one fan? Well CMT is developing a new
show. They are looking for fans to share their experiences, share that
memorable meeting of their idol. Go to the link above, or contact CMT via
email.
0304.19-Shania's
Experiment: [Herald
Tribune]:
 Shania
says she has nothing to prove this time around, and her 3 disc approach to
"Up!" is not a marketing gimmick. Now, she said, she's gone "way
beyond" her own personal goals in the industry, and she'll feel extremely
fortunate "whatever happens from here."....This is a whole, homegrown
idea," she said. "If anything the label was saying to me, 'How are we
gonna market this?' Cause it was just such a crazy idea having all these
different styles of music and everything.
"I just wanted to give more. I wanted to give more choice. I wanted to
portray all the different sides of me. It's all very true to what am. I
enjoyed experimenting. I'm not interested in the gimmick of the whole
number game." Read the
article.
0304.18-Forever
and For Always "Mystical":
Shania: Yeah, we did film it in New Zealand. I was
already out there in Australia doing promos so we decided to hop over to
the movie land of The Lord of the Rings (they laugh) to see if we could
capture some of that magic into the video. So yeah, everyone will be
getting to see a bit of New Zealand in the video.
0304.18-Shania
tidbits: [Mercury]:
 Mercury
reports Shania will be a guest on "Regis and Kelly", check their site for
further details. Shania will also grace the cover of MAXIM Magazine in
MAY. Shania has also been confirmed as one of the performers on this years
ACM awards. [May 21st 8pm on CBS] Shania will perform her new
single "Forever and For Always". Lastly, Shania will be the subject of the
June 2nd episode of "Intimate Portrait", on Lifetime.
0304.18-Today Show Concert Series:
Shania will be performing on the Today Show Summer
concert series. Shania is
scheduled to appear on August 1st. No tickets
needed. Concerts take place at the Today Show studios in Rockefeller Plaza
in New York City.
0304.15-Today
Show Concert Series:
It was announced today on "THE
TODAY SHOW" that Shania will be one of the participants in their
Summer Concert Series. No date has been announced at this time. Watch for
schedule soon!!
0304.15-Shania
gushes....[Countrystars]
CountryStars reports..... Shania was clearly one of the
artists who fell into the category of those who loved Willie and she
gushed about being part of a Willie Nelson tribute during the filming of
her two songs. Apparently it was the first time they were on stage
together.
Catch the show
Memorial Day Weekend on the USA Network
0304.15-"I
can drive a motorcycle, swamp buggy and a snowmobile": [BBC]:
To listen to part one of the interview: click on
"Experience Liquid" and then "Watch Latest Show". Go to the site
tomorrow on 4/15/03 to listen to part two. Shania talks about
soccer, her new tour bus, how to catch rabbits, and how Eja is doing. To
read a transcript, go here (STNAOFC)
0304.15-Shania
to sing with Dolly Parton: [CountryStars]:
Shania
finally met her idol Dolly Parton, back in November at the premiere party
for Up! Shania is now going to sing with her. Country Stars is reporting
that Shania will be a part of the Dolly Parton Tribute album which will be
released this fall. Shania chose "Coat of Many Colors".
0304.15-Shania's
Gonna Getcha [Sky
News]
 Shania
has announced her first concert in the UK. It will be her only Live
Concert in Europe this year. Sky News reports:
Chart star Shania Twain is to play her first British gig
for four years with an outdoor spectacular
The singer will be in London's Hyde Park for a
one-off concert - her only European date of the year - on Saturday July
12.
Twain has become one of the world's biggest selling acts following the
success of her Come On Over album.
Her latest, Up, has sold more than 8m copies globally and spawned hits
such as I'm Gonna Getcha Good and Ka-Ching.
The Canadian star performed in Hyde Park briefly when she was part of a
charity Party in the Park show in 1999.
Tickets go on sale at 8am on Tuesday. Available for
Pre-sale now
0304.14-Shania
stops to take a bite out of the "Big Apple":
On April 8th and 9th, Shania flew into New York to visit
the women of "The View", although most fans in the USA missed it due
to
 coverage
of current events, you can check out a few captures from the show
here.
Shania discussed, her
career, and her life at home with Mutt and Eja. Look out for re-runs of
the show. Shania also stopped by the Nickelodeon Studios to show off her
video "Up!" Shania took calls and requests. The event Shania was
really here in New York for was to perform at Willie Nelson's Birthday
Tribute. The show will be broadcast on the USA network Memorial Day
weekend. Shania performed her new single "Forever and For Always",
and she then performed "Blue Eyes Cryin' In The Rain", with Willie Nelson.
Shania commented...As a child, Twain performed the song during
her club sets. "It's one of my favorite songs," Twain said .
"I absolutely love 'Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.' I sang it when I was a
child. It was part of my club repertoire, so that's really it. It was the
song I chose as a child to sing in my set when I was a club singer as a
kid."
Twain said that she opted to travel to New York for the special concert
because it was the first chance she'd been offered to sing with the
legendary Nelson. "Well, it was the first opportunity I'd really had to
sing with him, and so I took it," Twain said.
0304.14-I
love it when a plan comes together [LAUNCH]:
Shania has revealed that she is planning her new tour to
support her latest album "Up!".
Twain says that at this point, she's fairly confident that
she will be entertaining U.S. fans by October, with a projected tour start
date the previous month. "I'll start touring at the end of September, and
I'll be more than likely starting either in Canada or in the States, but
I'll be in the States by October for sure this year," Twain said. "That's
the plan."
0304.14-
"What's Up?" [CMT]:
For the past few months Shania fans have been wondering why
"Up!" has
 not
been certified for sales of at least 2 million albums, since her album
broke that barrier in the first two weeks it went on sale. Well, Shania
set the record straight at the
CMT Flameworthy Awards.
Although you could receive two credits for selling a copy
of Up!, which is a double-album, I heard you are choosing to be only
credited for one. Is there truth to that?
Yes, there is truth to that because I just don’t think it’s justified.
It’s a technical thing. I technically can claim two, but it’s not … true.
I mean, it’s technically true, but it wouldn’t be true. That would be some
kind of trickery or something. I’m not interested in that. I don’t want to
be accused of doing anything like that. I wouldn’t even want that. … No
gimmicks.
Even the packaging of this album is not a gimmick, the color thing. This
is a whole homegrown idea. If anything, the label was saying to me, “How
are we going to market this?” Because it was such a crazy idea, having all
these different styles of music. I just wanted to give more. I wanted to
give more choice. I wanted to portray all the different sides of me. I’m
not trying to be anything I’m not. It’s all very true to what I am. I
enjoyed experimenting, but I’m not interested in the gimmick of the whole
number game.
0304.14-What
a Concept! [CMT]
 Congratulations
Shania!!! Shania took home the CMT Concept Video of the Year
Award, at the
2003 CMT Flameworthy Awards. Shania also performed her new single
"Forever and For Always", in a surprise duet with Alison Kraus and Union
Station providing the
accompaniment. After the show, Shania said of
the acoustic performance...
"It probably does
the song more justice than anything else we've done," Shania says of the
performance. "There's more sides to me than the cheeky, sassy female," she
adds.
0304.14-So,
how did Shania do as host?[ChartAttack]
 Shania
brought in the highest ratings for the Juno Awards, setting a new record.
2.2 million people tuned into see Shania.
Congratulations Shania on an outstanding job!! Shania's
hosting duties didn't go without a hitch. When Shania went to accept the
"Fan Choice" award, she lost her way. Shania described it as her most
"embarrassing moment", when she finally got to the presenters she
commented "What a dork." Shania then thanked all her fans.
Here is Shania's take on what happend:
"It wasn’t really a night that I was focusing on winning
— which was obvious," Twain said laughing. "I didn’t even know where to go
to get that one award — what a total doorknob thing to do. I just wanted
to show off my dress! That’ll go up as one of my most embarrassing
moments, now that I think of it. I do appreciate the awards, but I wanted
more to enjoy the whole experience on the other side." Shania
also had one of the best jokes of the evening...
 Shania
also provided two of the night's funniest moments, which is impressive
from a host whose dresses nearly outnumbered the jokes she told. The first
came when she was talking to Alanis Morissette in the audience and nearly
pressed her million-dollar butt into the Swollen Members' faces.
"I wouldn't dare sit on a Swollen Member," she replied, sending nervous
parents at home scrambling to find a G-rated explanation as to why they
were laughing at that one.
"I wouldn't dare sit on a Swollen Member," she replied, sending nervous
parents at home scrambling to find a G-rated explanation as to why they
were laughing at that one.
How did she decide on the "goofy dresses"?
Shania says...
"The ‘Up!’ video features a Montreal Canadiens jersey
and my sister said ‘You know, you’re going to have to even that out
somehow to the rest of Canada. Why don’t you wear other shirts throughout
the show?’" Shania said, while clad in a glittery asymmetrical Edmonton
Oilers gown. "And I thought, why not just do it as an outfit for each team
and it actually turned out that I was coming out to match the exact number
of teams we had [six]."
0304.14-How
did she change so fast? [Toronto
Star]
 During
the broadcast Shania changed into 6 different outfits. Each outfit
represented the hockey teams in Canada. So, how did she mange to get in
and out and back into another out fit so quickly? Well, how is
this....
The
Ottawa Citizen reported before the show.... Here's an image to warm
the cockles of the Corel Center's ice-grooming crew during a late-night
shift after some February home game: Shania Twain in her skivvies -- in
the Zamboni room. Sometime between now and Sunday night, a crew will
cover the melt-water drain in the
 Corel
Center's Zamboni stall. It will then knock together walls and install a
plush carpet, luxurious furniture, two dozen white tulips and several
changes of seductive costuming specifically designed for the svelte frame
of the host of the 2003 Juno awards.
The Zamboni's parking space, you see, is conveniently located just behind
the abstract set now being pieced together for the two-hour awards
broadcast; Twain needs to make those costume changes and get back on stage
quickly, explains the show's executive producer John Brunton. Well,
this is how she actually pulled it off....On Saturday, after a
run-through
 of
the show using similar, less expensive garments Bouwer realized the time
allotted for some of Twain's changes would be tighter than he thought.
"You are doing up buckled shoes, putting jewelry in pierced ears, and
dealing with the whole contraption that holds the mike against her back,"
Bouwer laments.
So the day before the show he replaced two zippers with Velcro. "Invisible
zippers are notorious for
breaking if you do them up quickly," he sighs. "You have to gently coax
the zipper up through the beads."
Bouwer greased the remaining zippers with tailor's chalk and strategically
cut away some sequins increasing chances that things would go smoothly.
Even still, he stood nervously backstage with a raft of threaded needles
so that, "if a zipper broke, I could whipstitch her into the outfit."
Twain is donating the outfits to the National Hockey
League with the intention of having them auctioned off for charity.
0304.14-Juno
Update: "Shania Gets Booed" [ChartAttack]:
It takes a lot to make the audience at an awards show
 shout,
"Get off the stage!" and resoundingly boo the host. But, then again, this
is Shania Twain.
See, Twain made a grievous faux pas. She wore a giant
Toronto Maple Leafs logo on her chest in enemy territory. And so the Junos
were hockey, er, music night in Canada.
The Juno hostess wore six different dresses during
yesterday's two-hours-and-change show, each emblazoned with a different
Canadian hockey team logo.
The Ottawa crowd went nuts for the red, white and black Senators gown, but
erupted with righteous indignation when Shania crept onstage in a sparkly
turtle-necked Leafs getup. At the Corel Centre, them's fighting words.
It made Michael Moore's reception at last month's Oscars
seem downright ecstatic. Methinks some of the more beer-drenched fans were
ready to jersey her, although not in the way most men think around Shania.
Click on pictures to see more scans.
0304.14-"I
want to instill in Eja, honesty and humility" [Herald Sun March 15,
2003]:
Typical Shania interview, however, here are some
interesting details..
About Mutt:
"When we met in person, I thought he was the warmest, sweetest man".
The impact it had on me, was I knew he would be in my life forever
not even because it was love at first sight, because I didn't even think
that. For some reason, deep down, I knew he was the one." How did their
professional relationship turn to romance? "Because it was meant to be"
Twain answers. "And totally unlikely because we were from two completely
different worlds". "But it was such a powerful thing because we met and
married within 6 months. We were just so sure. There wasn't even a
question in our minds"
Mutt and Eja:
"At this point in my life, the space is just there, and he (Eja) came
into our life, and nothing has had to change". Almost nothing.
Lange, one of the most noted producers in rock, is now the comsumate house
husband, tirelessly doting over Eja while Twain plays pop star. In
Melbourne this week, Lange was in the entourage, strictly behind the
scenes, fiercely guarding his and Eja's privacy. "Mutt is a great dad,
very helpful in many ways. I cook, he cleans, and we are just a good team.
He's great with the baby, and he's been there from the very first day.
Hands on, all the way". Twain says her eyes sparkling............"Mutt
exists, we have wedding photos, and he is in them." Twain says. "It's
almost as if this whole privacy thing is working against him, because he
is famous for not wanting to be famous. Very ironic".
"Mutt and I live very low profile lives., we don't seek the spotlight,
unless it's something to do directly with my music."
"As a family, we don't look for photo opportunities, and have not allowed
ourselves to be part of the tabloid soap scene. That spares us a lot of
unnecessary exposure."
Raising Eja:
"I want to instill in Eja, honesty and humility" Twain says "I want him
to stay down to earth, and stay real".
"Those things are so important to me because you never know what is going
to happen in this world. You never know if you're going to have money from
one day to the next. You have to be prepared to live in the real world.
"I don't want to raise him thinking he's protected from the rest of the
world. That would not be right."
More on Eja........
Eja has 6 toys to his name.
"All his toys, every toy Eja owns can fit in a small duffle bag.", she
says.
"Most kids have a room full, or their closets are filled with toys." But
Eja has got his little bag, and those are his toys inside, and that's it".
"He is already, just by his nature, living a life that is not outrageous.
I buy all his clothes at wherever. It does not matter to me where they're
from. I don't care what store I go to for his clothes. This will continue.
This will be the pattern of our lives...."My little boy is not going to
live in Gucci and have boxes filled with toys at his disposal every day.
It's just not our lifestyle.
0304.07-Shania
"Thank You Fans!!": [CTV]:
 Making
the second-most number of trips up to the stage to pick up Junos was
country superstar Shania Twain. She won three times -- artist of the year,
fan choice and best country recording. "You are
why I make music ... thank, you, fans!" Twain told the audience
Twain was also host of the Juno telecast, a huge star presence in packed
program.
She spent much of the evening proving why she's such a fan favourite --
using her multiple costume changes to show off a series of flamboyant
outfits with lots of glitter, that also managed to incorporate the logos
of Canada's NHL teams.
The awards show took place in front of 15,000 fans at Ottawa's Corel
Centre, where she took her loudest cheers for her Senators' shirt -- and
she braced for boos when she changed later into the Toronto Maple Leafs'
jersey.
"I am very proud of all of our Canadian teams... and very proud to
represent them all," Twain said.
Check out Shania accepting the award..."What
a Dork!"
0304.07-Congratulations
Shania!!!: [STNAOFC]:
 Shania
received the following Juno Awards:
Fan Choice
Artist of the Year
Country Recording of the Year
Congratulations Shania!!!!!!
0304.06-"I'm
an optimistic person....." [CTV.CA]
This is a report from the 11
o'clock news....
 Shania
obviously is having a good time back in Canada. She gushed Maple Leaf
pride. "This is the first time I think I've got to spend several days in
one place in Canada in many, many years," Shania told the room of
journalists about her experience hosting and helping to put together this
year’s Junos
"I'm just working with a bunch of Canadians and there's a really cool
feeling about that."
Now, Canada's got some big stars, like Celine, Bryan Adams, Alanis, Rush,
Sum 41, and Avril. But there's never been anyone one like Shania.
Do the math.
Her last album, COME ON OVER, sold over 35 million copies worldwide. That
makes it the sixth best seller of all time.
UP!, her latest album, sold over 874,000 copies in its first week of
release in North America, propelling it to the number one best seller spot
for 2002.
But there are those who resent Shania's success. You know the type, those
who just have to pull down people whose ambitions and dreams are large. To
them, it's luck, her husband, producer Mutt Lange, who’s helmed
multi-platinum, records by the likes of AC/DC and Def Leppard as well as
Shania herself. The real cheap shots are those that say it's all due to
her looks that she's the best selling female and country artist of all
time.
Well, the people who follow the industry for a living aren't buying that.
Geoff Mayfield is in charge of the charts at Billboard Magazine, the
industry’s Bible, in LA. And like TV detective Joe Friday, he just wants
the facts when it comes to Shania.
"It's not necessarily fair to shortchange her because she happens to be
good looking. You can't deny the success she's had. The best-selling
record of the past 12 years." Mayfield thinks one of the reasons Shania
has had such success is that she "reaches across musical genres."
Shania herself says she's just got a very straightforward approach to
doing things.
"I'm an optimistic person. I'm a can do person. Where there's a will
there's a way. That's just the way I am. I'm pretty determined in
everything I do."
"It goes back to the story everybody knows about losing her parents and
helping to raise her own family," notes Mad Dog. "And working at a resort
and working really hard to get to Nashville and then working really hard
to become the sort of icon that she is today. I don't think she knows
anything but really hard work."
If there was one point Shania seemed to really get across at her press
conference, it was to tell everyone that she, as host, performer and
nominee, has no intention of being a slave to the script.
"There'll be a lot of ad-libbing," she stressed. "We had a lot of fun
working on the script. We've had a lot of laughs, and a lot of it may just
be very spontaneous.
If Shania's lucky, it's only that her luck improves the harder she works.
And for Shania, that mix of focus and spontaneity she has might be the
real secret of her success.
0304.05-"I'm
gonna getcha" [CTV.CA]:
Congratulations SHANIA!!!!!!
Best country song went to Shania Twain for
I'm Gonna Getcha Good, her comeback
single after taking a two-year sabbatical to have a child.
"I really appreciate this . . . I'm very happy to be where I am,''
said Twain, wearing a red ball cap emblazoned with the word Canada, as she
accepted her trophy.
0304.05-"I'm
gonna have fun...": [Canada.com]:
 Shania
took questions from the press at the Juno Press Conference today. [Shania hosts the Award
show tomorrow night]. Shania talked about the show, her upcoming tour, and
the war in Iraq.
Being back home in Canada:
"When you travel the world so much, and all you ever do
is touch base with your home, sometimes you really just feel like you
gotta do a major catchup," she told a throng of reporters at a news
conference Saturday. "I feel like I'm getting the chance to do that now.
This is the first time I think I've spent several days in one place in
Canada in many, many years. I was due for this." ... "It's great to
be back in Canada. I've been welcomed by some beautiful snow . . . I'm
loving it," she said earlier Saturday at a news conference as snow plows
cleared streets outside after an overnight storm.
On being chased by photographers and the fans:
"It's a part of my life and I've just accepted that,"
said Twain, looking casual in an off-the-shoulder, cropped T-shirt and
snug blue jeans, which showed off her famous toned midriff. "I see it as
temporary. There's something really good about the fact that they're
fickle because when I'm not interesting anymore, they'll go away."
About the show:
"We've had a lot of fun working on the script, had a lot
of laughs. A
lot of it has been really spontaneous and that's how the show will be,"
she said smiling. "I'm thrilled to do it." Despite showing up for
rehearsals, Twain said she didn't practice the entire show's script too
often so as not to formalize her role, which includes performing two
songs, Up! and Forever And For Always. "I'd rather make a few
mistakes during the show than get so familiar with what I'm supposed to
say that I'm not natural." Twain, whose home town is Timmins, Ont.,
has had her
 share
of grandiose TV appearances over the past year, having performed at the
Country Music Awards, the Grey Cup and the Super Bowl. Of course,
she realizes playing host at an awards show differs from singing a few
tunes. "This is the first time I've ever done something like this, been
responsible for talking so much. You just have to hope you don't make a
fool of yourself," she said grinning. "But I'm going to have fun with
it."
The War in Iraq:
"When you have a captive audience, that's captive for
the reason of seeing you entertain them and then you force your view on
them, I would feel I'm abusing my position . . . but for the sake of
democracy it should be open for whatever anybody wanted to say."
The Tour and Timmins:
"The last time it did. I don't see why it wouldn't
again," she said referring to the opening of the last tour in Sudbury,
Ont. "We haven't even got the first week booked yet."
0304.03-Shania
to set tone for the Junos [CTV]
He said fans can expect Twain's opening performance to
set the tone for the show.
"The audience is going to be thrilled with her enthusiasm. She's really
excited to be participating in this year's show," he said, keeping
tight-lipped about actual details.
Some of the things planned for the show are Twain's personal ideas
cultivated over numerous long phone calls from all over the world
including Japan and New Zealand where she was promoting her newest album,
Brunton said.
"For a star of that magnitude to want to host the Junos is a sign of where
the Junos are at right now," he said.
Last year's hosts, The Barenaked Ladies, effortlessly kept the show
humming with humorous skits and songs specially written for the event.
Be sure to tune in and watch Shania on April 6th at 8pm
0304.03-Cowgirls
wrestle reins from boys of country
A talented lyricist, Wright also helped topple men's
dominance in Nashville writing circles. "Women started to buy records by
women because the story in the songs changed when women started writing
their own songs," says Jim Brown, referring to tunes like Martina
McBride's 1994 cover of Gretchen Peter's Independence Day, about an abused
woman's long-overdue dispatching of her husband.
When men wrote all the songs, continues Brown, cheatin' and hurtin' and
drinkin' were the themes. Now it's music for the 'burbs: "Country fans
don't go to bars anymore. Positive family values are now a strong part of
country music and females sing about family values. Read the
article
0304.03-Shania,
the shape shifter: [National
Post]:
But there is a significant qualitative difference in the
way each uses her sexuality: Twain projects a wholesome, sanatized
flirtiness, whereas Madonna oozes libido. Madonna uses her amorphous
sexuality as a form of creative expression -- a driving force through
which she innovates and provokes controversy and, consequently, sets
trends. Twain, conversely, seems to have sexuality projected on to her;
she uses her natural conventional beauty to appropriate the guises of
various generic dream women for the pleasure of her fans (whether it be a
prom queen, a dominatrix or a down-home country girl). Read the
article.
0304.03-For
some, she just ain't country: [National
Post]:
The National Post continues its series on Shania Twain.
Twain's
 commitment
to songwriting has meant she rarely works with the cabal of Nashville
songwriters that provide hit songs to more "traditional" artists. Indeed,
Randy Travis' most recent album features the work of 18 different writers.
The liner notes for Up! credit only two songwriters, the singer and her
husband, Jeff "Mutt" Lange. Within this matrimonial collaboration, it is
Twain who provides the song's lyrics, a fact Clarke says truly
distinguishes her from the pop music pack.
"As much as her music is rhythmically driven, it's also lyrically driven.
She's a true songwriter, whereas a lot of pop music doesn't offer much in
terms of lyrics," says Clarke. He adds that both Twain's lyrics and her
life embrace key country music values. "She put her family first. She
doesn't put her son Eja in front of the media, and tries to have as normal
a life as possible." Read the rest of the
article.
0304.01-Up!,
Shania's truest expression: [Launch]
Twain
said her truest sense of herself as a vocalist comes when she is singing
alone with a guitar. Twain's husband and producer, Mutt Lange, has tried
to help the singer reproduce that true sound in the studio, which
sometimes causes him frustration, according to Twain. "I wasn't as natural
and expressive as I am just singing one-on-one or acoustically, so of
course Mutt, being my co-writer and with great frustration from our last
two efforts--he's always tried to bring that out in me--I think has
finally managed to do that, at least so much better than ever before."
To read the article go
here
0304.01-"It
all started with a crop top: [National
Post]
The National Post continues its week long series on
Shania.....
 Shania
Twain once told an interviewer that, after giving birth to her son, Eja,
she wondered if, given her subsequent "jelly belly," she would ever be
able to bare her midriff again. Well, lucky for her, and for her fans,
Twain was blessed with good genes. Not only can you once again bounce
nickels off her abdomen but, she added in the same interview, she has not
a single stretch mark. ...The video, in which she frolics on the
beach in a black lycra crop top and matching hip-hugging bell-bottoms,
attracted a great deal of attention -- not for the mediocre ditty it was
promoting, but because conservative industry folks in Nashville had never
seen a young, female country singer flaunt her sexuality so recklessly.
(Now, in the era of L'il Kim and "X-tina" Aguilera, the controversy over
Twain's rather innocuous and sanitized sexuality seems hard to imagine,
but a controversy it was.)
To read the rest of the article go
here |
