"I'm on my way"

Background:

A country music phenomenon, Shania Twain, together with her producer and husband Robert John "Mutt" Lange, made an extraordinary commercial promo of her second album, The Woman In Me. The record became multi-platinum, hitting the top 5 pop charts and sold more than 9 million copies in the United States alone.

Shania, who managed to obtain six No.1 hits on Billboard magazine's country singles chart, says that a live performance is the most satisfying part of being a singer because she can relax more with her fans during a concert.

Once known as Eileen Twain, Shania was urged to change her name. Because of her loyalty to her family's origin, she chose her Ojibwa name, Shania (pronounced shu-NYE-uh), but kept Twain as her last name. Shania has a museum created in her honor in hometown Timmin, Ontario.

Shania means "I'm on my way" in the Ojibwa language.

From Surrogate to Real

Childhood and Family:

Although born into a home with few financial comforts, Shania was surrounded by music. Shania Twain was born on August 28, 1965, in Windsor Ontario, to Clarence Edwards and Sharon Twain. After her parent's separation Shania lived with her mother who later married Jerry Twain.

Shania, which means, "I'm on my way" in Native American language, earned great support from her parents encouraging her to share her writing and singing talents with the public. The Twains took their 8 years old daughter to every public venue starting from churches and community events to after hour clubs. With her parents' support Shania sang on local radio and television stations. She financially helped her parents by taking part-time jobs during her summer vacations.

After finishing high school, Shania went to Toronto in order to pursue further dreams of singing and writing. When she was 21 years of age both of her parents died in a car accident. This situation forced Shania to be a surrogate mother to her younger siblings. Returning from Toronto she worked at a resort in Deerhurst, singing and dancing.

Shania earned enough money to buy a house for her surrogate family.

On December 28, 1993, Shania Twain married music producer, Robert John Mutt Lange. The couple welcomed their son Eja (pronounced "Asia") to the world on August 12, 2001. They currently live in Switzerland, balancing their domestic life and careers.

Unlimited Country

Career:

As her siblings settled down and were able to live on their own, Shania became independent once again. She published a demo tape of her songs and set up a showcase concert in Canada. Not long after that concert a representative of Mercury Records in Nashville signed Shania on as one of their artists.

In 1993 she released her debut album, Shania Twain. Her debut album was not a major hit. However, it launched two minor hit singles, "What Made You Say That" and "Dance With the One That Brought You" which did well in the US. Furthermore, European Country Music Television named her "The Rising Video Star of the Year" as her album gained success in Europe.

With her husband's help Shania prepared all materials that formed "The Woman In Me" album which was released in the spring of 1995. Unlike the first album, the second album was a success, selling close to 18 million copies, a number no other female country artist had managed. The album not only broke records but produced seven hit singles as well. Those singles include "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under," "Any Man of Mine," "(If You're Not In It for Love) I'm Outta Here" and "No One Needs to Know."

In 1997, the album Come On Over was released. Shania spent two years touring the world to support the album. By the end of 1999, 36 million copies of the album had been sold. It became the best-selling album by a female solo artist and the best-selling country album of all-time.

Due to her success, Shania appeared on VH1's Divas Live as one of the divas, together with other great names such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Gloria Estefan. The album of the live performance was released in 1998.

"I don't have any anxiety about the success of this record. My goal isn't to outsell Come on Over. I just really want to know what people think of it. I'm excited to get the feedback." Shania Twain

Awards:

• Double Diamond: Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 2004
• BMI: Country Song of the Year, Forever And For Always, 2004
• CMT: Flame Worthy Female Video of the Year, 2004
• Juno, Canada: Country Recording of the Year, 2004
• Billboard Music: Country Album Artist of the, Year 2003
• Billboard Music: Country Album of the Year, UP! 2003
• Billboard Music: Top Country Artist of the Year, 2003
• CCMA: Album of the Year, UP! 2003
• CCMA: Female Artist of the Year, 2003
• CCMA: Top Selling Album, UP! 2003
• CCMA: Video of the Year, I'm Gonna Getcha Good! 2003