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Before Taylor Swift, there was Shania Twain.

This week on Once Around the Country, Gary breaks down the real story behind one of the most successful and most underrated careers in music history. Shania Twain grew up as Eileen Edwards in Windsor and Timmins, Ontario, raising money for her family by singing in bars from age 8. She lost both of her parents in a car accident at 21 and stepped in to raise her younger siblings while working six nights a week at a resort. From there, she became Shania Twain and built a career that redefined what a country artist could be, from the record-breaking sales of The Woman in Me and Come On Over to a Super Bowl halftime show and a heartbreak so public it played out like a soap opera.

This episode covers her childhood, her early years playing bars for tips, the loss of her parents, her marriage to producer Mutt Lange, the explosion of Come On Over, her Lyme disease diagnosis and vocal struggles, and how she rebuilt her voice and her career on her own terms.

In This Episode:

• Shania Twain's childhood in Windsor and Timmins, Ontario
• Growing up with food scarcity and family hardship
• Singing in bars at age eight to help support her family
• The loss of her parents and raising her siblings
• How Eileen Edwards became Shania Twain
• Meeting producer Robert "Mutt" Lange
• The Woman in Me and Come On Over album success
• Shania Twain's record-breaking album sales
• Her Super Bowl halftime performance
• Her divorce from Mutt Lange and the story behind it
• Her Lyme disease diagnosis and vocal cord dysfunction
• Why Shania Twain deserves more credit as a music industry pioneer

This episode is sponsored by:

Sterling Oak Cabinetry

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Shania Twain is one of the most successful and influential country music crossover artists of all time. Born Eileen Edwards in Ontario, Canada, she began performing as a child and overcame a difficult upbringing before building a career that would take her from small-town bars to the biggest stages in the world. With hits like “Any Man of Mine,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “From This Moment On,” along with the massive success of The Woman in Me and Come On Over, Shania helped redefine what a country music superstar could be. Her story also includes personal heartbreak, the loss of her singing voice and an extraordinary determination to keep performing and creating.

Tags: Tags; Shania Twain, Shania Twain biography, Shania Twain story, Shania Twain career, Shania Twain Come On Over, Shania Twain The Woman in Me, Shania Twain country music, Shania Twain greatest hits, Shania Twain 1990s, Shania Twain biggest star, country music legends, country music history, 90s music, 90s country music, Taylor Swift Shania Twain, women in country music, country music crossover, Shania Twain resilience,

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What was it like to build a career in radio when every conversation had the power to bring people together?

This week on Here's What We Know, we welcome veteran broadcaster George Lindsey, whose remarkable career began at just 15 years old behind a radio microphone.

George shares unforgettable stories from decades in broadcasting, remembers the legendary entertainers he met, and reflects on how radio created friendships that lasted a lifetime. He also opens up about his passion for charity auctions, explaining why helping communities has become one of the most rewarding chapters of his career.

Join us as we explore the lasting value of curiosity, meaningful conversations, and the simple joy of connecting with people. Listen now.

In This Episode:

• How George Lindsey got his start in radio as a teenager
• What made the golden age of radio so memorable
• Stories about legendary musicians, entertainers, and life behind the microphone
• Why building genuine relationships mattered more than ratings
• How charity auctions became an unexpected calling
• Lessons about service, gratitude, and staying curious throughout life
• Why authentic conversations continue to matter in every generation

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Reed Animal Hospital

Bio:

George Lindsey spent decades behind the microphone as an award-winning radio personality, delivering ratings, results, and memorable moments. Four years ago, after graduating from auction school and earning his auctioneer's license, he traded the studio for the stage, where he now energizes audiences as a professional emcee and benefit auctioneer.

Alongside his wife, George also leads unforgettable small-group journeys across Europe's most iconic destinations, helping empty nesters, solo travelers, and reluctant adventurers experience the trip of a lifetime.

Whether he's driving excitement at a fundraising auction, guiding travelers through Europe, or sharing stories that connect people, George's passion is creating experiences that matter.

Website: https://www.lindsey-adventures.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-lindsey-auctioneer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgelindseyofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.lindsey/

Tags: Golden Age of Radio, Radio History, Classic Radio, Broadcasting, Radio Personality, George Lindsey, Gary Scott Thomas, Here's What We Know Podcast, Storytelling, Great Storytelling, Human Connection, Meaningful Conversations, Life Lessons, Career in Radio, Behind the Microphone, Radio Industry, Radio Memories, Communication Skills, Media Careers, Podcast Interview, Broadcast Journalism, Entertainment Industry, Charity Auctions, Community Service, Building Relationships, Personal Growth, Inspiring Stories, Nostalgic Stories, Legendary Entertainers, Music Industry Stories, Radio Legends, Authentic Conversations, Podcast About Radio, History of Radio Broadcasting, Lessons from Broadcasting, Storytelling Podcast, Interview with George Lindsey, Best Radio Stories

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Long before Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson got credit for starting outlaw country, Johnny Cash was already living it.

This episode of Once Around the Country traces how a poor farm boy from Arkansas, born with only initials for a name, became the man behind one of the most legendary live albums ever recorded.

The episode covers Johnny's growing outlaw reputation, his arrests, his drug use, and the empathy he developed for the men he met behind bars. That empathy led to a dream he chased for over a decade: recording a live album inside Folsom State Prison. Record executives thought it was a terrible idea. Johnny thought it might save his career.

On January 13, 1968, Johnny Cash walked into Folsom State Prison alongside June Carter, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, and his backing band the Tennessee Three. He recorded a concert that revived his career and became one of Rolling Stone's top 500 albums of all time.

In This Episode:

• Why Johnny Cash wasn't actually born "Johnny"
• The tragedy that shaped his childhood
• How Sun Records changed his career
• The surprising reason he always wore black
• Johnny Cash's arrests and drug struggles
• Why Folsom Prison became his greatest performance
• How Merle Haggard's life changed after seeing Johnny perform
• Why At Folsom Prison still ranks among the greatest live albums ever made

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Reed Animal Hospital

Bio:

Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash, February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and musician. Known as "The Man in Black," he blended country, rockabilly, rock and roll, folk, and gospel. He sold over 90 million records, earned 13 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

Tags: Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, Folsom Prison Blues, Country Music History, Outlaw Country, Classic Country, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, June Carter, Sun Records, Sam Phillips, Tennessee Two, Music History, American Music, Country Legends, Live Albums, Once Around the Country, Gary Scott Thomas, Here's What We Know, Storytelling, Biography, Historical Podcast, Society and Culture, Music Podcast

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
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Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!