Shania Twain Co Uk - The UK Shania Site

Just the girl next door
By ANIKA VAN WYK -- Calgary Sun
CALGARY -- Shania Twain's Come On Over album has sold more than 34 million copies, making it the most successful solo female artist album of all time.

The Canadian country singer's fame is so widespread, she has even relocated to Switzerland with her husband (famous producer/writer Robert John (Mutt) Lange) and son, to try and live a "normal" life.

But despite that level of superstardom, the people closest to Twain say she remains a nice, down-to-earth Canadian gal.

"Talking to Shania is just as easy as talking to you," says Ron Sakamoto, president of Gold and Gold Productions, which has promoted all her Canadian concerts, including her stop at the Saddledome Thursday. "It's just like she's your next door neighbour."

Sakamoto, a 11-time Canadian Country Music Association promoter of the year, who is based in Lethbridge, tours the country with Twain.

"She's as nice today as she was the first time I met her in 1993.

"Nothing has gone to her head. And the only thing that has changed is that Shania now has to be a little more careful in the public because there are some not nice people out there."

Not only does the positive attitude make Sakamoto's job easier, he thinks it shines through in her career.

"I think that's why she's so successful. She and Mutt control their life and don't let things go to their heads."

The veteran promoter has experienced the out-of-control egos of stars who have let their fame get the better of them, but he sees none of that with the girl from Timmins, Ont.

The backstage demands of the stars such as J. Lo are legendary, but when it comes to Twain, she is the opposite.

"As a matter of fact, she's more frugal ... I think because of the way she was brought up. She doesn't like to waste things."

Sakamoto says Twain only asks for two bottles of water in her dressing room.

"(Other celebrities request two dozen) and you know they can't drink two dozen bottles of water."

Twain has attempted to make the hectic life of touring as simple as possible.

"There are 120 people on the road for this tour and it's like a big family."

Twain does have some real family touring with her including her sister and her two-year-old son Eja (pronounced Asia).

"She's spending time raising Eja ... she spent hours helping him learn to ride a tricycle.

"She is just being real with Eja because he doesn't know his mom is a superstar. He just walks around on stage with ear protection during soundchecks," says Sakamoto.

So does the toddler look like his hot mamma or his dad?

"He's blond so he's pretty Mutt. He's a real good looking boy."

Though Sakamoto remains professional and won't reveal any real secrets, he admits there's one thing about Twain, that may surprise fans: "She absolutely loves hockey ... oh, she skates!"

And what kind of promoter would Sakamoto be if he didn't talk about the show?

"Boy, people are going to see a great show. She makes sure she gives 150%.

"She plays, and plays, and plays. In that little body she has dynamite energy," he says of the show, which often goes past the two hour mark.