Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2. How does Shania Twain's background distinguish her among most country artists?
She was born in Canada, his father was Jerry Twain and she had background of poor
family. Her influences were mainly from Tammy, Waylon and the Mamas.
3. How did Twain's marriage to producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange affect her
songwriting/recording style?
She met Robert John "Mutt" in Nashville in 1993 and married six months later. This
marriage had great impact on her songwriting/recording style as her husband was rock music and
her songs after marriage reflect rock music elements in her songs. In sum, in her songs it looks
like she wants to scream and she wants to show aggressiveness. Her songs also highlighted
women empowerment.
Her image was radical and liberal in front of people on stage and she was considered
conservative when she was off stage.
5. How did her hit song "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" (1997) influence country's sound and
style?
Her hit song "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" (1997) influence country's sound and style as in this
song guitar distortion was involve, drum beat was not country beat and it was heavy drum
rhythm. In sum, it was rock song and musically it was not a country song. This song inspired
many young girls because it talks about women empowerment.
6. How is Faith Hill's background ironic given her career as a model, television/movie
actor, and as a recording artist?
Faith Hill born in Jackson, MS to an unwed mother, she worked at fan fair, in bluebird café and
released her debut in 1993. She also worked in media as actress as well as as a model such as she
has worked in touched by an angel series and the step ford wife in 2004.
7. What role did her marriage to Tim McGraw play in her career and compositional
output?
She married to Tim McGraw in 1996 and his career really took off after he married to Faith Hill
and they worked together after post 9/11 period. Faith Hill also made successes after her
marriage with Tim McGraw.
8. In class we will watch the video to one of Hill's #1 hit songs, entitled “Breathe” (1999).
What does she contribute to commercial country in both sound and image?
This song was pop balled rather than country. She was considered as Supermodel and in her song
“Breathe” she looked elegant and her style approach was different as compare to other female
singers especially Shania Twain.
9. Who were the original Dixie Chicks, and what musical style did they perform?
Dixie Chicks was originally bluegrass and country-western band in 1989 comprises four girls
such as Martie Erwin, Emily Erwin (sisters), Laura Lynch and Robin Macy.
10. When did lead vocalist Natalie Maines join the group?
(b) How did she complement the Dixie Chicks in both sound and temperament?
Diamond certification to two albums in short period of time and third album “home” got 10
Grammy awards and many other awards. In this way she complements the Dixie Chicks in both
sound and temperament.
A controversial statement made by Natalie Maines at London concern against the president of
USA George W. Bush made her career dark and many fans of Dixie Chicks felt bad after her
controversial statement.
12. In class we will listen to the title track of their landmark album, Wide Open
Spaces (1998). What message does the song have for young people, and young women in
particular?
This song gave the message of Independence, breaking out of traditions and women
empowerment to the young girls and also suggests people to chase their dreams. In sum, this
song has great impact on young girls.
13. What traditional style do the Dixie Chicks exemplify in their 2002 hit song “White
Trash Wedding?”