Shania Twain is a big name in country music. She recently had to take some time off from singing to deal with a vocal cord issue. During that time, she also realized that her husband was cheating on her with her friend and assistant. She was heartbroken.
She used her feelings to write many of the songs for her 2017 album, “Now.”
Shania was also asked to be a panelist on USA’s new competition reality show “Real Country.” She recently talked with Country Living about the changes in her life and her new position as a panelist on the new Nashville-based show.
When asked what she learned by taking some time off from her music career, she explained that she had learned a lot about herself.
She said:
“There’s been a regression in diversity in the country music genre. We have less women, we have less of everything, and it’s almost like I went away and the progress that I may have contributed to the genre went away with me. So, I’m back!
“I’ve been in the industry 45 years, and I think by now I know what the audience wants, so I’m here to please the audience, not please the industry. I want to get out there and do music that connects with people, and the more the merrier. I think we’re due for some change in this industry, and we need some stronger headliners.”
She also explained how she is used to starting over.
Shania’s parents died in a car accident when she was just 22 years old. Her career had just started, but she had to take a break, so she could raise her younger siblings.
She talked about the early days of her career, saying:
“I think when you’re first starting out, your conviction and your determination has to be on hyper-mode because you are going to face a lot of obstacles. For me, I didn’t have anything to go back to. I didn’t have any choice but to make it, and that was to my advantage in some ways. I don’t wish that on anyone, because it is a really challenging thing to go through in your early twenties, but I didn’t have anything to go back to.
“My parents were gone, I had no family support, most of my siblings were younger and dependent on me still, I had no money and no base. I had nothing. So, there was just no choice but to make it. There’s a conviction that you really need. So, all I’m saying is find whatever it is that drives you, hold onto it, and pedal to the metal.”
Shania has dealt with a lot lately, but she is ready for a new start.
She is excited to be able to help other young singers become better and chase their dreams. She talked about what she hopes to see as a panelist on the show. She said:
“I want to make a difference, and I want to encourage different. I’m here as an advocate and a cheerleader of artists that have the courage to be themselves, and to be unique, and to not be out to please the industry and the industry’s parameters. I’m looking for the highest standard of quality, which doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the most extraordinary vocalist.
“We have so many legends that are not known for their vocal prowess or their vocal range, so I’m looking more for stylists and great communicators, and people who have conviction behind their style and haven’t wavered, who have not started copying someone else to try to be accepted.”
Still, Shania refuses to be called a mentor on the show.
She wants everyone to know that these artists aren’t in need of a mentor at the point in their careers where they come on the show. She said:
“I was attracted to the idea of not drawing it all out in a mentorship process. I do enjoy mentoring, but this particular concept is more about finding artists that have already found themselves, that have already been through the process and stayed true to who they are. I’m here to say ‘Bravo, congratulations for coming this far, finding yourself, staying true to yourself, you deserve a chance to be recognized for that.’”
While Shania may have dealt with some setbacks, she isn’t finished with the music industry.
She still has plenty to do. With the release of her newest album and her new spot on the show, she is proving that she can keep up with all the young country stars out there.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
