In 2015 I interviewed Russell, Ontario native and award-winning country singer/songwriter Tara Shannon about her comeback after an extended break for her family.
Shannon had made international headlines for her single, Butterfly Child in honor of friend and neighbor Jonathan Pitre.
He was admired world wide for his courageous fight with the rare disease epidermolysis bullosa, a condition which causes the skin to constantly blister and tear at the touch much like a butterfly wing and which ultimately claimed his life in April at age 17.
In 2017 the down to-earth Shannon, mother of five boys and two girls spoke to your agent about her album, Unfinished, which has become a success, and of her healthy lifestyle.
We caught up again recently and in a Q&A she talked about her transition to Adult contemporary music and how she continues to live healthy.
Q: Tell us about your new single: Someone Who Understands (Remix).
A: It was actually written by my producer, Hayley McLean who was inspired by how we can feel so utterly alone in times of suffering, but recognizing that we are never truly alone.
The original version is a ballad with beautiful overlapping harmonies and I love it.
I had the idea of a remix last year and then I met Cody Coyote, an incredibly talented hip hop artist here in Ottawa and asked if he would be open to collaborating.
When he heard the song he was inspired right away. So we jumped right into it!
Now that I have a song with hip hop in it, my street cred in my house has been raised significantly.
My kids love it!
Q: Is it challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle? What is your favorite dish?
A: I’ve really learned to listen to my body. Balancing what my mind, body and soul needs with rest, meditation, food and herbal medicines.
Yoga and walking are my go to physical activities when my body can handle it. Meditation is the most powerful of all of these tools.
My favorite dish is ANYTHING my husband makes. He is an absolutely incredible cook! He makes the best mussels in the world with a butter and white wine sauce that is to die for. It’s a cottage favorite.
Another is this amazing dill pickle dip – I have included our special recipe below.
Q: How do you find a work / life balance, having a successful music career, being co-owner of a business while making time for your large family?
A: I always want to answer this question with wine! I had to learn to balance the hard way, especially when my health started to suffer.
I had to put my own needs first, which is counterintuitive for women and especially mothers. Once I did that everything fell into place. I still work at it everyday.
I love to work and would consider myself a workaholic, so I really have to pay attention and make sure I do myself care pieces before I start to work.
When I had three babies in diapers and my husband and I were building our group of companies, it was much more challenging.
Having the kids is one thing, but then they became hockey players and some at highly competitive levels and that was a whole other level of challenge!
But I am so grateful for my big beautiful life – I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Q: What was the feedback like from your song Butterfly Child?
A: Jonathan was an amazing soul and I had the privilege of calling him friend.
We spent a lot of one on one time together and I am so grateful for those memories and the gift of that friendship.
I got to know him more closely through The Butterfly Child song campaign back in 2015 and the response to the song then was overwhelming with national and international support.
With his passing, many are going back to the song for comfort, including me. Just to hear his voice again.
The one sound I miss is his laughter. It was infectious.
Q: What is next for you?
A: I am looking forward to key shows this year at Ottawa Bluesfest and the National Arts Centre as well as a tour of the Maritimes.
I’m working on some new music and recording another album in early 2019.
I’m also putting together a show centered around (my album) Finding Your Unfinished, inspiring others to pay attention to what feels unfinished in life, what is calling out to you or nagging you or simply just won’t leave you alone.
The unfinished is connected to your life path and what you are meant to do here.
There is healing down that road.
I am looking forward to developing that show and sharing it with as many audiences as possible.
The New Single “Someone Who Understands” is Available on I Tunes
RECIPE – DILL PICKLE DIP
Ingredients – 1 pint of sour cream, 8 dill pickles (chopped), ¼ cup pickle juice,
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Directions – Place all ingredients in bowl and stir thoroughly. Refrigerate for one hour before serving.
Twitter: @christineruns
