Shania Twain: The Queen of Crossover Music

Words by Michael Bruce.

Shania Twain had the Saratoga Springs audience in an electrified frenzy. Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosted this legendary performer, and she delivered a star-powered show. Shania walks out on stage as beautiful as ever, and the crowd goes wild. She is indeed a legend, and a pioneer in the so-called “country music” genre. I say so-called because what we consider country these days is this gigantic roof of pop and rock sounds. Why things can’t be considered pop/rock anymore is a mystery. It falls under the term country. In my opinion, that’s silly, but that’s a whole other article. Let’s focus on the crossover music legend – Shania Twain.

If you’re old enough to remember like me, Shania Twain and ex-husband producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange redefined country music. They kept violins, and some country guitar twang, but added big drums, bigger guitars, big riffs, big melodic hooks, and big studio production. It was like hard rock band Def Leppard crashed into Nashville, and walking out from the ashes was Shania Twain. Her beautiful looks and voice behind these great songs made her an international superstar. They took the country sound and made it more pop/rock. This super clever production and songwriting made it appealing to a much larger audience. Young and old were tuning in as it swept through the masses on all different kinds of radio stations. How would you love to have hit songs on different kinds of radio stations? Well, that’s why I call her the “Queen of Crossover”. Everyone was playing Shania Twain. They also made slightly different renditions of the songs to fit the radio station formats. It was brilliant songs and brilliant marketing. I remember Nashville being jealous that these outsiders came swooping in, stealing the show. What they should have done was say, THANK YOU. Her success and music crossover appeal opened the doors for so many others to do the same. Country music, as they call it these days, all stems from the work of Shania Twain and Mutt Lange.

Many of you don’t know that 22 years ago, during the Up! Tour, I played a drum for her onstage at what was then the Pepsi Arena. 36 drummers auditioned for 12 spots to be at each section of the round stage in Albany, NY. I was one of the 12 that got picked to bang on what is known as a marching snare drum. We performed during her hit song, “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here”. It was an incredible day hanging out with Shania and her band.

Shania and her long locks came out on stage to the opening song “Rock This Country!”. There were little kids to senior citizens in the audience, and everyone was in Shania’s hands from the first second. They loved her, and they loved the songs. It was great positive fun energy. Shania ripped through her hit arsenal. “Don’t Be Stupid,” “You Win My Love,” “Waking Up Dreaming,” “Up!,” “I’m Gonna Getcha,” “Giddy Up,” “From This Moment,” “Honey I’m Home,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “Party For Two,” “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here,” and of course, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” The crowd was so into all these tunes, but in particular the women. Don’t forget, Shania Twain was always a powerful, in-charge kind of gal. She was someone that young girls and women could look up to. In my opinion, Shania was always saying, “Hey, I can be a woman, enjoy the fun of being a woman, be as sexy as I want to be, but not be run over by anyone or anything.” A song like “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” is like the female national anthem. That song will stand the test of time and make Shania unforgettable.

It was a cool, huge screen/light display behind Shania that made for some eye-catching visuals during the songs. Her band consisted of Elijah Wood on drums, Lindsay Ell on guitar, Chandra Meibalane on violin (and keys), and Brent Barcus on guitar. My only negative to this show (Sorry, Shania, I do love you) was that bass and some backing vocals were pre-recorded tracks. I ask you … why? Your budget EASILY can afford to have total live sound with the right personnel. All of the people you saw on stage, including Shania herself,f did a fantastic job! However, c’mon … give me the wonderful chemistry of the FULL live band. She did have some nice moments with the people up front in the audience. She took selfies with fans, sang “Happy Birthday” to a little girl, let people sing on her microphone, and even sang pieces of “From This Moment” to a married couple.

It was a beautiful evening at SPAC, and I’m very glad I went. Shania Twain has proven to be true music royalty.

More from Michael Bruce …