SHANIA TWAIN….ON HER WAY BACK “UP” THE CHARTS
As I started watching, like a car accident I couldn’t help myself, Shania Twain’s new TV show on OWN called, “Why Not?”, I couldn’t help wonder “why her” and “why now?? What unfolded seemed to be quite evident, as the show documented her battles with “losing her ability to sing” and the personal tragedies that led up to that. The show then led us on a multi-episode tour of involving the efforts that she was undertaking to “find her voice”. These efforts included, skydiving, mountain climbing, personal counseling, meeting with others who had shared similar experiences and so on. Each presented her with an opportunity to take on her fears “head on” in an effort to prove to herself that she could overcome them.
It also involved numerous encounters with other stars such as producer David Foster, Gladys Knight and Lionel Richie, who also were there to provide encouragement and inspiration, while at the same time providing her with some musical challenges that forced her to take on “the voice issue” directly. The show was very informative, insightful and well-produced, as you might expect from Oprah’s production team. If you love Shania Twain….as I do…..you would find this very interesting and very entertaining.
But as I said earlier, the show itself seemed to be setting the stage for something bigger. Throughout the show, we were treated to watching Shania go through the songwriting process (for the first time in many years without former producer, co-writer and husband, Mutt Lange). The song called, “Today is Your Day” was meant to be somewhat of a “note to self” for Shania, which she could use to push herself forward and getting herself on the road to recovery.
It was no coincidence then, that the official release of Shania’s first single “Today Is Your Day” on iTunes happened the day after the final epsiode of “Why Not” was aired, this past Sunday night, which also included a “worldwide debut of the song”. I was also not surprised to learn, not long after the final episode as well, that Shania officially announced her return to “live performance” by accepting the invitation to preform 60 shows in the next two years at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas beginning December of 2012. Now that is pretty exciting news!! She is following the footsteps of Garth Brooks who is also doing special “selected date shows” at the Wynn in Las Vegas.
As someone who has always been a huge Shania fan, this writer is thrilled that she is back. The voice, the looks and the star power that was and is Shania Twain has been greatly missed!!!
Here’s hoping, for Shania Twain fans all over the world, that with regards to this superstar performer, “What happens in Vegas…” does not stay in Vegas!!!
Bob Palumbo