Country music star racks up the honours

“Just a Native cowboy living his dream” is how Shane Yellowbird sees himself as he continues to ride the wave of accomplishment in the country music industry.

Yellowbird, who is a member of the Samson Cree Nation in Hobbema, recently received four nominations for the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, presented in Winnipeg on Nov. 5. He took home the hot ticket award in the Male Entertainer of the Year category, as well as Country Album of the Year  for “It’s About Time” and Best Single of the Year for “Barefeet On The Blacktop.”

Yellowbird missed the awards show last year, due to a hectic touring schedule, so he was more than happy to be in attendance in Winnipeg this year for the awards’ presentation. He says it’s always a surprise to be handed the hardware.

“I never get my hopes up... That’s why I never have a speech in my pocket or thank you’s, because that’s a jinx to me. It has to be from the heart,” Yellowbird said of his acceptance speeches.

At a young age, Yellowbird believed he would either follow the pro rodeo circuit or play pro hockey. Much of his child and teen years were spent playing for teams in the neighboring towns of Ponoka and Wetaskewin.

Yellowbird struggled with a strong stammer when he was young. He belted out tunes every chance he could as a way to fix his impediment. A change of career plans was sudden for the champ karaoke singer. His vocals were noticed in 2002 and, as he says, the rest is history.

“This just kind of happened right after college and just took off…people just think it’s that time on stage, but it’s a full time job like 24/7..I’m on a plane like over 200 times a year. I’m away from home like 300 days a year…I haven’t been home for eight months” said Yellowbird.
Constantly busy with writing his next big hit, doing music videos, photo shoots, and charity and media work, it’s no wonder his time with family back home is spent on hunting trips with cousins, or attending dinners, powwows, round dances and sweat lodges every chance that he gets.

“Absolutely everyone understands exactly what I’m doing,” he said, regarding the rough time that his lifestyle could have on his family.

The fans continue to play the biggest role in keeping Yellowbird committed to his work, motivating him to get past the business of the music industry that sometimes can be tough.

“I do it for the fans…Every night people screaming and knowing my music and stuff like that. They are behind me in everything I do.  It’s amazing.”

Yellowbird has learned to find his place within the Canadian country music scene, proving his uniqueness as a Native artist.

“Getting started I had people tell me that it’s going to be harder because (I’m) Native right, but I never let people get to me by telling me stuff like that…I have my own thing going on. In order to make it you have to be unique and I have what a lot of other (country) artists up here (in Canada) don’t. Nobody else really has that opportunity… Because I’m Native I’m booked a lot more, even in the U.S.”

November was a big month for the country star as he also picked up the award for Best Country Recording at the Native American Music Awards in New York on Nov. 12.

November 18 marked the first year anniversary for his invitation to sing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, an honor that he says is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, he has received. Another big honor for Yellowbird was the 2007 Canadian Country Music Rising Star of the Year Award.

In the coming few weeks, Yellowbird will be working on a new music video, and in the New Year he will be releasing his third album from Nashville, as well as touring Australia, France and Brazil. He hopes to expand his fan base at the International level.

Yellowbird’s publicist, Tori Harris, said that CBC will be hosting a one-hour special featuring Yellowbird and a few other artists in the New Year as well.

All Photos: Bert Crowfoot