Shania Twain

Shania Twain (shu-NYE-uh, born August 28, 1965) is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has been very successful in the country and pop music genres. She was the first female artist ever to have two consecutive albums be certified as Diamond, which entails shipments of over 10 million copies (not albums sold). Her fourth album, UP was also certified Diamond, however it only shipped 5.5 million copies, but since it's a double disc, and per the rules of the RIAA, it got a double certification.

Early years

Born Eilleen Regina Edwards in Windsor, Ontario to Sharon and Clarence Edwards, she grew up as Eilleen Twain in Timmins, Ontario after her parents separated when she was two and her mother married Jerry Twain.

Related Topics:
Windsor - Ontario - Timmins

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At the age of 13, Eilleen Twain was invited to perform on CBC television's Tommy Hunter Show. During high school in Timmins, she was the vocalist for a local band "Longshot" which covered Top 40 music. When her mother and adoptive father died in a car crash on November 1 1987, Eilleen took her two younger brothers, Mark and Darryl and sister Carrie-Ann to Huntsville, Ontario, where she supported the family by performing at a local resort (Deerhurst resort). In 1991, after an entertainment lawyer from Nashville heard her act, she was invited to record a demo tape.

Related Topics:
CBC - Tommy Hunter - Top 40 - November 1 - 1987 - Huntsville - Nashville

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In 1991, when she signed her first recording contract with Richard Frank of Mercury Nashville Records, she changed her name to Shania which is an Ojibwa word meaning "I'm on my way". Her step-father was a full-blooded Ojibwa. The city of Timmins later renamed a street for her and built the Shania Twain Museum (Shania Twain Centre).

Related Topics:
Mercury Nashville Records - Ojibwa

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