Shania Twain rocks the Colonial Center on Wednesday.
Posted on Thu, Apr. 29, 2004
JEFFERY MINNISH/THE STATE

Singing, signing Twain was definitely ‘Up!’

Pop-country star doesn’t miss a beat as she belts out tunes while treating fans to autographs

By OTIS R. TAYLOR JR.

Staff Writer

That Shania Twain really is something else.

The pop-country singer brought her (seemingly) neverending “Up!” Tour to the Colonial Center Wednesday nightand she came ready to, um, sign autographs.

Yeah, Columbia likes it like that.

Dressed in black pants, a pink top with a sports bra underneath, and what looked liked boxer boots, Twain looked as if she were ready to work out.

Her hand got as much exercise as her voice. From the opener, “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” Twain was roaming the stage, touching every outstretched hand.

As she sang songs like “Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You),” “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?” and “Up!,” Twain signed calendars, hats, shirts and hands without losing concentration.

She autographed more ticket stubs and T-shirts during the concert than most entertainers do in a year.

Now, that’s impressive. Even more impressive is that Twain took donations for charity at the show.

The hits rained on the more than 10,000 fans in the arena. Twain sang “Forever and For Always,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “I’m Gonna Getcha Good.”

Three girls were invited onstage to sing harmony for “You’re Still the One.” Twain performed a four-song medley of older material, including “Come On Over,” that gave the audience just enough of the oldies but goodies.

It was a partisan Gamecock crowd. During band introductions, Twain’s drummer, who was wearing USC running back Demetris Summers’ No. 31 jersey, gave a shout-out to Clemson fans.

His words were met with deafening boos.

Twain turned the show into a sit-down affair, taking a seat about 15 rows up in section 102. Accompanied (literally) by a guitarist, she soulfully sang “The Woman in Me (Needs the Man in You).”

Before she could wrap the song up, a fan tapped her on the shoulder and put a pen in her face. Twain laughed and kept singing. If you’re wondering, of course she filled the autograph request.

Twain donned a Gamecock jersey with her name on the back for the encore and she rocked out to “Any Man of Mine” and “Rock This Country.”

Emerson Drive warmed up the crowd for Twain. Any band that can pull off U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” has to be OK.

Original songs like “Fall Into Me” and “Last One Standing” were good, too.

Reach Taylor at (803) 771-8362 or otaylor@thestate.com
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