At 59, Shania Twain is one of the most gorgeous musicians
Her passion for music was unwavering: “My deepest passion was music and it helped. There were moments when I thought, ‘I hate this.’ But I loved the music and so I survived,” she recounted in her biography.
Performing in rural bars and retirement homes honed her stage skills and allowed her to explore her talent, paving the way for larger opportunities.
At 13, Shania appeared on the “Tommy Hunter Show,” a renowned country music variety show, showcasing her singing prowess. By her late teens, she had joined her first band, Longshot, and moved to Toronto at 21, striving for a breakthrough.
Her talent shone through, captivating audiences, including country singer Mary Bailey, who later became her manager. Bailey observed Shania’s exceptional voice and believed she was destined for stardom.
Tragedy struck in 1987 when Shania’s parents died in a car crash. At this pivotal point, she put her career aside to care for her younger siblings, demonstrating incredible strength and maturity for her age.
Family Tragedy and Resilience
Returning to Timmins, Shania took on the role of caregiver for her siblings, aged 13, 14, and 18. Despite the overwhelming loss, she remained determined to provide stability and support, later moving with them to Huntsville, Ontario.
Shania found solace and a livelihood as a singer and dancer at the Deerhurst Resort. Reflecting on those times, she said, “I was just going to give up music… My family comes first. I have to take care of them.”
Path to Stardom
While at Deerhurst, Shania’s skills as an entertainer flourished. A demo tape she created caught the attention of Mercury Nashville Records, leading to her 1993 self-titled debut album. Though it didn’t achieve immediate commercial success, it received critical acclaim.
Music producer Mutt Lange was deeply impressed by her voice, reaching out to collaborate. Their professional partnership blossomed into romance, culminating in marriage in 1993. Together, they crafted hit albums, including “The Woman in Me” and “Come On Over,” propelling Shania to stardom.