Shane Yellowbird (July 7, 1979April 25, 2022) was a Canadian country music singer-songwriter from Maskwacis, Alberta. A Cree, in 2007, he was named the Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year at the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards, Chevy Trucks' Rising Star of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards and his song "Pickup Truck" was one of the year's ten most played country songs.
Early life Yellowbird was born in Hobbema, Alberta, on 7 July 1979. He attended Ponoka Composite High School. He suffered a severe stuttering problem as a child, for which he attended a speech therapist who suggested he sing his sentences. This method proved successful in treating him, and led to an interest in music.
Career Yellowbird was signed by O'Reilly International in 2003. Three years later, he released his debut album titled Life Is Calling My Name.Yellowbird Releases Debut Album The album includes the singles "Beautiful Concept," "They're All About You," "Pickup Truck" and "I Remember the Music." In November 2006, Yellowbird won three awards at the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards ceremony, including Best New Artist, Single of the Year ("Beautiful Concept") and Best Video ("Beautiful Concept").Yellowbird Ropes 3 APCMA Awards
Yellowbird opened for Emerson Drive on their cross-Canada tour,Shane Yellowbird to Tour with Emerson Drive and was chosen to represent his native Canada by performing at the Fourth Annual Global Artist Party at the CMA Music Festival in June 2007.Yellowbird to Perform at CMA Music Festival in June Yellowbird was named the Chevy Trucks Rising Star of the Year at the 2007 Canadian Country Music Awards.
"Pickup Truck," Yellowbird's third single, also became his first Top 5 song on the Canadian Country Singles chart in the summer of 2007. The song also peaked at No. 64 on the all-genre Canadian Hot 100, while the video topped the CMT Chevy Top 20 in July. It was one of the ten most played country music songs of the year in Canada.R&R Top Canada Country Songs Yellowbird opened the 2007 Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards, starring with Lorne Cardinal and Gabrielle Miller of Corner Gas.Shane Yellowbird to Open the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards with the "Corner Gas" crew Later that evening, he was named the Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year.Shane Yellowbird Grabs "Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year" and More at the 2007 APCMA's He also won awards for Best Country CD (Life Is Calling My Name) and Best Music Video ("Pickup Truck"). Yellowbird later won three trophies at the 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, including Best Male Artist, Best Country Album and Best Album of the Year (Life Is Calling My Name).Shane Yellowbird Big Winner at Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards He was also nominated for the 2008 Juno Award for Country Recording of the Year, for Life Is Calling My Name.
Yellowbird's second album, It's About Time was released on November 17, 2009, featuring the single, "Bare Feet on the Blacktop". In the United States, the video received a nomination from the Native American Music Association. Yellowbird won two Native American Music Awards for Best Country Recording for "Life Is Calling My Name" in 2011 and won Best Country Recording for "It's About Time" in 2012.
Personal life At the time of his death, Yellowbird was in a domestic partnership with fiancée Sarah Garrow. The couple announced their engagement hours before his death was announced. He had four children. He suffered from epilepsy and had occasional seizures.
Yellowbird died on April 25, 2022, in Calgary. He was 42 years old.
Discography Studio albums Title Details Life Is Calling My Name Release date: October 24, 2006 Label: 306 Records It's About Time Release date: November 17, 2009 Label: On Ramp Records
Singles Year Single Peak positions Album CAN CountryPeak chart positions for country singles of Shane Yellowbird in Canada: All singles except "Beautiful Concept" – "Beautiful Concept" – CAN 2005 "Beautiful Concept" 29 — Life Is Calling My Name 2006 "They're All About You" 13 — 2007 "Pickup Truck" 5 64 "I Remember the Music" 4 85 2008 "Drive Me Home" 11 — "Life Is Calling My Name" 21 — 2009 "Bare Feet on the Blacktop" 10 99 It's About Time 2010 "Watching You Walk Away" 16 — "I Get That a Lot These Days" 35 — 2011 "I Can Help You with That" 32 — 2012 "Sedona Arizona" 46 — 2013 "I'm Not Wearing Boots Today" — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Music videos Year Video Director 2005 "Beautiful Concept" Antonio Hrynchuk 2006 "They're All About You" 2007 "Pickup Truck" Stephano Barberis 2010 "Watching You Walk Away"
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Result Ref(s) 2007 Canadian Country Music Association Chevy Trucks Rising Star Award Album of the Year – Life Is Calling My Name Single of the Year – "Pickup Truck" CMT Video of the Year – "Pickup Truck" Independent Male Artist of the Year 2008 Juno Awards Country Recording of the Year – Life Is Calling My Name Canadian Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year 2010 CMT Video of the Year – "Watching You Walk Away" 2011 Single of the Year – "Watching You Walk Away"
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