Country Music has always had some beautiful women as part of
its’ format. As a child, my crushes included McEntire, Loveless, Mandrell
(either one), Sylvia (no last name needed!), and artists such as those. Dolly
Parton would have to rank high on that list, as well. And, I’m not alone. I am
sure that fans of the format thought Loretta, Tammy, or even Kitty hung the
moon in their time.
By 1993, video was becoming just as important as the record
in launching of an artist. If there was ever an artist that defined the video
era in Country Music, it was Shania Twain. In the cold winter months of that
year, Mercury shipped her first single to radio. Titled “What Made You Say
That,” the single barely dented the singles chart. However, the video became a
favorite on CMT – and also netted her a fan named Robert John Lange, aka Mutt.
The iconic rock and roll producer was taken – as many of us were – by the
singer’s talent and beauty, and came down to Nashville to see Twain perform at
Fan Fair that June.
The two quickly became an item and were married the next
year. We all know how that turned out, but the professional partnership was a
hit from the start. Though the singer didn’t achieve any hits from her
self-titled debut album, she and Lange went to work on the follow-up. The first
single, “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under,” was released in the spring of
1995. It was a slow climb, but the song picked up a little more steam each week
and ascended into the top ten – setting the stage for an explosion unlike any
ever seen in the format. Her next single, “Any Man of Mine,” turned out to be a
hit heard ‘round the world, and she was off to the races. What makes the
singles so fascinating was the fact that while there were some rock elements in
them, Lange also made sure there was just enough Country there to lessen the
argument that radio might have to her being “too Pop.”
The album The Woman In
Me quickly turned heads and ears as well. It was the right sound at the
right time. Twain quickly became the format’s “It” girl. The songs were the
right mix of Loretta Lynn sass and Rock rhythms. And, yes….there were videos….whether
it was the red dress in “Whose Bed,” the blue jeans in “Any Man of Mine,” or
the leather look in “You Win My Love,” Twain stole hearts with the subtlety of
an atomic bomb. To say she introduced sex appeal to Country Music might be a
stretch, but she definitely took things to a new level.
The Woman
In Me was very influential in my career as a broadcaster, as well.
I was hooked – I mean HOOKED by the “Any Man Of Mine” video to a point that I
must have thought if I played it often enough, Shania was going to come
waltzing down East College Street right into the WDKN Studios. So, I played it…and
played it….and played it…every day within the first half-hour of my shift.
Dickson, we had a problem. And, without a PD / MD who scheduled music for me, I
realized I needed to do things a little different. So, I started playlisting
myself – and eventually the entire day (That is, except for Ken Loggains, who
has probably forgot more about radio than I ever knew), so anyone who worked on
the air staff who grumbled about my playlists during the week, don’t blame me….Blame
Shania!
Twenty years later, The
Woman In Me sounds more and more traditional country with each passing
days. The fiddles, the Yoakam-esque harmonies, and the rhythms have definitely
endured to this day…..as well as those videos!
The Woman
In Me will be the featured album of the week on Wednesday, July 15
on “Crazy Chucky’s Classic Country Corner” from 1-3pm on WNKX Kix 96.7 in
Centerville as part of “The House That Built Me” series. The show is brought to
you by Tennessee Properties.
