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SHANIA ROCKS WEMBLEY
Report by Peter Lovell
I'll get to the point fast, Shania is the biggest thing in my life , and has been for a good four years now. Living in the UK, we dont get the videos you lucky guys in the states get and we certainly dont get CMT or things like that. No, to see Shania one must watch VH1 or MTV all day everyday and rey to god that they got your request :)
So, when Shania announced the UK was to be included in her world tour back in 1998, I was incredibly happy! As soon as I could, I booked my ticket, but still I was some way from the front. The Wembley concert, as I am told by Way Ahead Ticket Brokers, sold out very fast following the success of That Dont Impress Me Much and this, I believe gave Shania a great breath of fresh air.
I left for London at 8 in the morning and the whole journey was filled with Come On Over and Woman In Me blairing out in the car. When I arrived in London I simply waitied in my car until the crouds started to appear. By 6pm, the liens were forming, I had managed to get myself very close to the front and. Whilst we waited for the doors to open, I talked to a number of fans around me, all said the same thing - "We simply dont see enough of Shania on TV over here!" Some fans were lucky enough to have US VCRs and copies of Shanias video, others were not - but none of that mattered when the doors opened, soon I would be seeing the woman of my dreams for four years!
The crouds packed into Wembley, rushed along by the staff there. I spent some £50 () on Shania merchandise before locating my seat 2 blocks back in the center of the floor. The stage was huge, surrounded by massive video screens and packed full of roadies.
By 8pm, Leahy were on stage, and what a show they were! I have never seen a set of more talented musicians, and they kept the croud alive for at least 45 minutes. Then there was silence, then at 9pm, the speakers boomed! The famous "Man I Feel Like A Woman" intro was heard, followed by "Are You Ready London?". Most of the croud were out of the arena in the bar and so a rather poor "Yeah!" was heard! However when the little intro was heard again and the words, "I said are you ready London!?" were shouted, the croud was full and the roar was the loudest I have ever heard! Then in a hail of fireworks and explosions, Shania appeared with her band, tight leather pants, a sexy tight pullover and looking as fabulous as I expected.
Without further ado, I jumped into the air and slapped my hands together - those around me were happy with just standing there, I certainly was not! This was to be my greatest night ever and I wanted to get into the music! I jumped and shouted at the top of my voice throughout the night, nearly passing out during "Im Outta here".
Shania had told us she was very nervous on coming to the UK, uncertain of what to expect from a nation that has turned a blind eye on country - however we had not turned from the Queen of Country, and Shania was filled with extra confidence when shouts came from the croud "We love you Shania!", "God bless you Shania", and my very own, "What took you so long to get here!?"
Shania played through every song on the Come On Over album (except for "If You Wanna Touch Her..", "I wont leave you lonely" and "Whatever you do..") and each song kept the croud gripped and excited. It was spectacular. The show was particularly rewarding for me, as during the slower songs (Youre Still The One, From This Moment On, God Bless The Child and Youve Got A Way) when the croud were seated, I stood on my chair, took off my T-shirt and waving it in the air shouted "Eileen!!" I caught her attention and she pointed and waved - it was just amazing!
Shania played through many numbers from Woman In Me - fearing the croud would not know her songs. She couldnt have been more wrong. The shear noise of the croud singing along to "Any Man Of Mine" and "Who's Bed have your boots been under?" slapped a huge smile on Shania's face! She will soon conquer England as she has conquered the rest of the world - its just a matter of time!
During the show Shania invited a couple of German girls on the stage, cracked some great jokes about their tatoos and kissed them before handing them a picture - I was so envious of them, but thats what you get when your on the front row :) She then brought Leahy back on stage and sang "Dont Be Stupid" followed by (my personnel favourite) "Im Outta Here" - special guests on the stage included the local Boys Brigade (Im Outta Here) and a local school choir (God Bless The Child).
The show seemed to go on for ever, although it only lasted 2 and a half hours - they were the greatest of my life! The croud went toally wild during "That Dont Impress Me Much". Having finished the song Shania disapeared in an explosion and reappeared on a lifted stage - being carried around the croud! I was a long way back, but that did not conern me. An elderly couple beside me shouted - "For Gods Sake go for it!" and I lept over my seat, past the security and to the center railing just as Shania approached. My T-shirt was off and me height served as a great advantage - Shania knelt down and shook my hand! It was fantastic. As she went past I knew Id never be content until I had topped this day (and I cant wait for her next tour) Shania went back on stage and finished with a superb - "Rock This Country".
She once again thanked the croud and the country for their support, and totally exhausted after a terific show, she vanished into the background. The lights were turned on and the leaving music played. It was all over, all over until 2001 when I will be dishing out wads of cash and getting myself a damn back stage pass :-)
As I left the arena, I looked around - everyone was smiling, everyone was sweating, everyone was panting - there was simply not enough oxygen in there, but we didnt care! Shania had been here, I had touched Shania, as had thousands of others that day! As a final note, I would just like to say, if ever you come to the point where you are debating whether or not you should go see Shania live - pull yourself together! There is no questioning the fact that Shania is the greatest diva out there, so she may not be able to reach the notes that Whitney H can - but Whitney cant write music! Shania has an AMAZING voice, an AMAZING figure and there is something about the way she is that evokes my greatest pleasures...go see Shania,
Shania rules!
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INTERVIEW WITH BRENT BARKUS
Talking to Brent Barcus
1. Have you ever fallen on stage? If so, what were you doing and how did Shania and the audience react? thankz! see ya! (Tara)
BB - Well Tara it was great because we had this running game to see who would fall by the end of the tour-everybody fell except Roddy! i tripped one night over the stage but luckily it was kind of dark onstage so only a few laughed.
2.Everyone is wondering how Shania's marriage is doing because she is on tour so long. How is this with your marriage? Isn't it very difficult to be apart for so long? (Olivia)
BB - It does take a toll on relationships-we did however get some good breaks-Shania's marriage is great!
3. What was it like living with Shania for 18 months? (Thanks Jamie)
BB - Hi Jamie-well we didn't really live with her for that long only for rehearsals for 4 months-it was great because we got to know everybody so well and bonded like a family.
4.What did you most enjoy about your tour with Shania? (tim)
BB - Tim i'd have to say the musicianship and the great crowds nightly.
5. Whats it like backstage before a shania show? Do you get nervous? (jayne)
BB - Once you're in a groove of doing shows it's like going to a great job that you love-but the first few nights are scary!
6. What are your plans now the touring is over? (jayne)
BB - Well Jayne i'm currently shopping for a record deal with my wife Miley-we have a CD we're selling on the internet called "Miley and the B.B. Barcus Show." We call the music summertime convertible music-i hope all of you check out our website-www.mileyandbb.com
7.At birmingham in England, there was a very funny moment when one of the band members made a loud burping noise after shania drank some water, was that you? (jayne)
BB - No way that was Randall humor!!
8.Will there be another Tour or was this tour it?? (jennnifer)
BB - Jennifer there will definitely be another tour-probably in 2001.
9. Will you and the other band members be on Shania's next tour? (Tim/Jennifer)
BB - Will have to wait and see about all of us coming back. We all love working for Shania and it would be great working for her in the future!
10. What were the UK tour dates like in comparison with the US and Canadian dates? (jamie)
BB - They were great-there was great enthusiasm-they aren't as familiar with "the woman in me" record so we did mostly "Come on Over" material.
11. What was the highlight of the shania tour for you? (jayne)
BB - Jayne there were so many awesome things-i'd say doing the CBS special or the Grammy's!
12. What was your most embarrassing moment? (jayne)
BB - One night i was wearing a pair of black plastic pants and during "I'm Outta Here" they split down my right pants leg-all the way!! so all you could see was my bare leg!! i had to get my guitar tech to wrap my leg in duct tape to finish the show! Very Embarrassing.
13. What was the best tv show you performed on? (jayne)
BB - i had a blast at Divas-also the Grammy's 14. what was your favourite place visited on tour? (jayne)
BB - Dublin Ireland was so beautiful-that was the last show!
15. What is your own solo album like? what kind of music.
BB - Are album is very pop-it has elements of Motown music-it's very high energy with a fun attitude that we think all ages would enjoy-I hope you guys check us out and thanks for your questions. Please contact me at www.mileyandbb.com Peace!
INTERVIEW WITH B B BARKUS
On Tue, 17 Aug 1999 and Wed, 18 Aug 1999 Ron C.E.O. sat down and did an Internet interview with Shania's Guitarist Brent Barcus. The below interview is exclusive to the Shania Twain International Online Fan Club, and must not be reproduced in part or whole without the express written permission of Ron CEO. or Miley and BB.
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Name: Brent "B.B." Barcus
Age: 28
Background: Started playing guitar in 6th grade.
Most Memorable Moment: Getting married
Musical Influences: All pop music, Hendrix, Mutt Lange, Peter Mayer
Instruments: Guitar, Vocals, Mando, Lap Steel
Type of Guitars Played: Fenders, Gibsons, anything that sounds great!
Favorite Show You Have Played: Grammys.
Favourite Live Venue: The Gorge, Madison Square Garden.
Favorite Location on Tour: Ireland
Greatest Musical Achievement: Grammys, Recording CD with wife Miley.
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1. What is it like to tour with Shania, and what are you doing right now?
Touring with Shania has been an awesome experience. We've all become great friends and it's truly a family on the road. Right now I'm writing and recording new miley and B.B. material for a future record.
2. Do you have any interesting statistics on the tour that will astound our visitors, and give people an idea of just how hard it can be on tour?.
I know we played to over a million people which blows me away! Touring can be very difficult. The time away from loved ones and the daily grind of a new city and hotel food!
3. Explain your interest in the Brady Bunch Series?
Well, it was my favorite show when I was a kid and my friends and I play a game trying to bring up an episode that we haven't seen.
4. Why Ireland? What made it special?
I think it was the beautiful landscape and a great last show-amazing!
5. Grammy's was your favorite show. Care to add a little more to that? I was informed it was pretty hectic backstage.
It was very hectic as is all of those shows-but it's the show I dreamed of as a kid I would play on. Sting and Madonna on the front row..
6. How many different Guitars do you require when on tour with Shania?
It depends on the songs but whatever it takes to get the job done, I'd say 8 or 9.
7. Where do you see your career going in 5 years? What are your goals?
I would love to continue working with Mutt and Shania and do miley and B.B. records for a major label! Do a tour of our own putting together the whole thing. Writing, producing, singing.
8. From your position on stage, how far back into the audience can you see? (By Row)
I can see a lot if the lighting is good. Sometimes only about 10 rows.
Hey guys thanks for the interest in our career. We would love for you to check out our music at The Miley and B.B. Homepage. Peace, B.B.
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