Shania Twain “developed stage fright” during the early years of her music career.
The 61-year-old singer has recalled performing late-night shows in smoky bars while still attending school, and Shania admits that it was a very difficult experience for her.
Shania told American Songwriter: “I developed stage fright because I was just uncomfortable.
“I was breathing in really heavy, thick smoke because everybody smoked in those days in those bars. And most people were intoxicated.
“The majority of the audience were men at that time of night. I would normally go on at midnight when the bar actually closed, so the environment was inappropriate for my age. Also, I was going to be tired the next morning for school.
“But the good side of it is that I realised that I was good at it. People were responding. They were applauding, and they were acknowledging that I was a standout. I realised, ‘OK, I guess I’m doing something right.’”
Shania enjoyed the experience even more when she began to include her own songs into the set lists.
She recalled: “I would bring my chord charts with me. I’d give them to the bands, and then I’d give them the key, and off we would go. It was quite fun.
“Sometimes, if the audience was tolerant, I would be able to maybe do three songs in a night of my own original music.”
Meanwhile, Shania previously explained that her outlook on life and her career has changed over time.
The Any Man of Mine hitmaker told Extra: “You start realising with more experience that you waste a lot of time worrying and fearing, and fear is just in your way.
“I think there’s something you learn eventually that some things are worth worrying about … So much fear is just not necessary. Fear of ageing. I’m not afraid of ageing. What a waste of my energy to worry about that and to fear that.”
Shania has also become more appreciative of her own success.
The singer said: “I’m taking it in now. All these years later.
“I’m absorbing more of the accolades than I did when I was receiving them.”