Shania Twain will kick off halftime show at Grey Cup
Canadian country music superstar Shania Twain will kick off the halftime show at the 90th Grey Cup in Edmonton Nov. 24.
After months of negotiations, the 37-year-old has agreed to perform two songs from her new album Up! – whatever the weather.
“It’s fantastic for the CFL and it’s fantastic for Edmonton,” said an elated Bill Gardiner, chairman of Grey Cup 2002. “We’re confident it’s going to be a sellout.”
The big game will have a distinctly country feel, with Alberta country stars Emerson Drive headlining the pre-game show. And just before the game kicks off, Edmonton’s Adam Gregory will sing the national anthem.
Twain, who’s sold over 40 million albums worldwide, will open the halftime show, singing her hit single I’m Gonna Getcha Good and a second, as yet unnamed song from Up!
“It’s a huge boost for the CFL – it’s almost too good to be true,” said Dianne Greenough, chair of the halftime show.
“We’ve approach- ed a number of people over the years, although we all agreed we would not use anyone but a Canadian. Getting someone to sing outside in possibly -20 C has been our biggest challenge.
“Many people feel it’s not good for their voice but the weather hasn’t been an issue with Shania.”
Gardiner said the CFL opened negotiations with Twain’s record company, Universal Music Canada, months ago. “We started talking to her about a package deal which would include three days, which she was unable to make. This came back through the CFL and they approached us.”
Gardiner said he has an entertainment budget of $175,000 – but only a small part will go towards Twain’s fee. The cost will be shared by the Grey Cup, the CFL and Universal.
“If we did know (Twain’s fee) we wouldn’t tell you but I really don’t know,” said Hugh Campbell, president and CEO of the Edmonton Eskimos. “I happen to really enjoy country music so I’m really excited. These are all big names to me and Shania Twain is as big as they get.”
Twain, who was raised in Timmins, Ont., and now lives in Switzerland, recently took a break from music with her husband-producer Robert Lange after giving birth to son, Eja.
“I can’t think of a more exciting homecoming for Shania than performing at this year’s Grey Cup,” said Universal Music Canada president and CEO Randy Lennox.
The Grey Cup final is already heading towards being a sellout but Eskimos spokesman Dave Jamieson said the Shania Twain announcement will further speed sales. Jamieson said more than 50,000 of the 55,000 tickets available are gone.
When the city last hosted the final in 1997 it was played before a capacity crowd of 60,000. Alterations to Commonwealth Stadium since have cut the number of seats by 5,000.
A new “Wild n’ Woolly” logo has been unveiled for Grey Cup 2002, featuring an old ball wrapped in a green scarf. Organizers say the design aims to capture the history of the sport and the enthusiasm of spectators.
The halftime and pre-game shows will also feature performances by more than 1,000 local children and volunteers.
Categories