Leann womack,
Loretta Lynn,
Dolly Parton,
George Jones,
Charlie Pride,
Ricky Scaggs,
Buck Owens,
Johnny Cash,
Merle Haggard,
Alan Jackson,
George Strait,
Conway Twitty.
Smooth, pure, country voice.
Not words someone would have uttered to Shirley Albert when she was growing up.
Shirley’s musical influences in her formative years would surprise many who know her today and who’ve listened to her music. She credits KISS and AC/DC among her early influences. While Shirley manages to belt out a harder edge sound on the rock infused Biker Chick on her current self-titled album, her musical influences today remain deep-rooted into country music with the likes of Lorrie Morgan, Reba McEntire, George Jones, Lee Ann Womack and Sara Evans.
Having spent most her teenage years in the area of Shediac, New Brunswick - a rural, seaside village known for its claim as the world’s lobster capital and its warm-water, sandy beaches - Shirley was surrounded by country and western music from a very early age when her father played fiddle in a band and where she would often accompany him on vocals.
Fresh from her opening gigs for Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Prairie Oyster, Shirley’s journey to country music stardom started, however, a few years ago. And it has been a world wind, roller coaster adventure indeed and ever since.
At 20, Shirley began working in local bars and her focus turned quickly to country music. And she has never looked back since. While she has often dreamt of the glitz and glamour of Nashville, Shirley has never forgotten her roots and her legion of faithful fans while often playing in bars and events all over the Maritimes. Her down-home, unpretentious, genuine and simple personality penetrates through the core of who she is, bares the essence of her voice and radiates in her performances on stage.
Her remarkable talent has been recognized on many occasions including first place at the 1996 Hot Country Talent Search in Moncton, New Brunswick and runner-up in the 1997 Maritime Broadcasting System’s Startrack in Saint John, New Brunswick. In 1998, Shirley was showcased at the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She also was in the regional finals in Project Discovery 2002.
However, it was in November of 2005 when the ball started rolling at full speed when Shirley traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to record her second album.
Before recording her self-titled album, Shirley recalls a time where song selection was important to her not only for commercial success, but also in order to be true to her art and to herself. “Before going down to Nashville, I was given a number of song choices from some reputable songwriters in the industry, but I wanted to take my time in selecting the right songs for this album. I wanted to be able to identify with some of the lyrics or felt it was important that my fans could easily associate with them. As soon as I heard a demo of Gentleman Jack, I fell in love with it immediately. This particular song really struck a chord with me. But I was advised that it wasn’t a radio-friendly song, therefore, I shouldn’t record it. But it was important for me to put the song on my album as I felt a strong connection to it and thought my fans would too. I was very headstrong and adamant that I would record it. And, the final product is incredible and amazing, and I hope that listeners will also fall in love with it.”
While she keeps Gentleman Jack waiting in the wings, her self-titled record has already spun three hits with wide-Canada appeal (Get Lost, Look What Love Does to Me, No Ordinary Monday) with a fourth one (When you Start Talking) currently burning up the airwaves on heavy-rotation from Moncton, New Brunswick to Edmonton, Alberta.
If that wasn’t enough, due to the strong, early buzz of her 2005 album, Shirley was selected from over 200 artists from across Canada to perform at the 2006 Canadian Country Music Awards’ New Artist Showcase. And recently, she was nominated in the Country Recording of the Year category at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards.
The self-titled album is filled with songs written by some of industry’s best, including Terri Clark, Gilles Godard, Tim Nichols, and Willie Mack. Whether it’s the car top down, driving along the highway Get Lost; the sultry, bad boy inspired ballad Wrong Water; the feel-good, love-sick up-tempo When you Start Talking; or the leave-it-all-behind for some fun-in-the-sun No Ordinary Monday, Shirley Albert’s self-titled album will make you dance, sway and swoon. But more importantly, she will make you sing along and put a smile to your face.
Shirley is determined to bring it one step higher every day. There will be a lot more of Shirley to come.
I think you get a amazing future in front of you with your music, because you have a amazing, beautiful and wonderful song voice and you have real good and amazing songs:):)
Haha ya thats what i said about the tour dates when we were booking. Can't wait to head back to Moncton good times!!! trip was way too short especially knowing that i missed your performances, next time will be a longer stay forsure had to keep the sponsors happy on this summer tour! busy is a massive understatement at least i will have all the energy drinks i want to keep me awake going from city to city! lol i will probably be hearing impaired with after the summer tour so when i am at the ccma's you will have to speak louder lololol
Hi Shirley, I had so much fun being on the tv show with you, I love the way you sing and move. Tu m'as fait tellement rire dans la loge t'es Super Drôle ! Moi aussi j'espère te rencontrer de nouveau. Johanne XX
PERFECT!!!! anything away from snow is a good thing i am gonna be heading out ur way i just had to push the date ahead a little due to the fact i am sick with a flu! don't you get sick cause when i head down you better be ready! hopefully all is well with my shirley! lol
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