May 11, 2006
Jann Arden's star power cemented
By MIKE BELL - Calgary Sun

Jann Arden is looking forward to getting her star on Canada's Walk of Fame next month for a number of reasons.

She can buy a new outfit, she jokes. It's also a free meal.

And, on a serious note, she'll get the opportunity to make the acquaintance of people she's admired for much of her life -- fellow inductees such as Robert Goulet, Eugene Levy and Paul Shaffer.

But, speaking for the rest of the country, we're anticipating a moment when Arden might get reacquainted with one of the other star-recipients -- Ms. Pamela Anderson.

"Do you think she'll punch me at the Walk of Fame," Arden says with a laugh. "I'm going to wear my sealskin bra again."

Of course, Arden is referring to her own quip during this year's Juno telecast in response to host Anderson's PETA cracks directed at Canada's seal hunt.

Arden's crack, meant merely as a "shut the hell up" to the boobacious one, earned her hundreds of hate e-mails, but a huge response from the audience and an invite to meet the premier of Nova Scotia.

Well, despite the possibility for a Jann vs. Pam II (this time it's personal!), Arden is excited about the June 3 ceremony and, obviously, flattered and humbled.

"I feel really funny about it," she says, noting there's a waiting list of more than 500 people who've been nominated for the honour.

"The nice thing about it is it's not an award, it's not somebody saying to me, 'And the best singer in the world today is ...'

"I don't have to feel maudlin or shameful because I'm not the best singer in the world -- it's just Canada recognizing people who have had popularity."

Before that big day, there's more pressing business in Arden's life including a tour of Europe with Michael Buble beginning next week and writing with partner Russ Broom for a new album which she expects to release this fall ("It's a big surprise," is all she reveals. "It's not what you'd expect.")

Even more immediate is a series of seminars titled My Life, My Way sponsored by Chatelaine, which bring her to the Hyatt Regency Sunday.

And what can people expect should they give up their Mother's Day for Arden? Personal affirmation? Clothing advice? Beauty tips?

"No, hardly," she says in her trademark self-deprecating fashion. "I don't have any tips at all.

"I know a lot of these seminar-type things are, 'Here's the seven things you need to do in order to be a successful person' and I don't have any of those.

"I just shoot from the hip, it's really fun. It's more of a comedic look at growing up in rural Alberta and my parents. And the art of failure, and 'Gee, you can really get good at it if you try!' "

Besides her national anthem debacle at a Flames game a couple of years ago -- an event she calls the most embarrassing moment of her life -- you'd find very few examples in Arden's life and career you could define as failure.

And even the artist backs off when pressed on the point, admitting things right now, more than ever before, are going at an enjoyable and rewarding pace.

"I've enjoyed my mediocre career and the moderation of it," she says. "It's so great to be able to go to Costco with your mom and dad. And, really, all you have is the odd person that goes, 'Hey, I think that's that chick I saw on Rick Mercer's show...'

"I'm so satisfied with what I have, I'm just thrilled.

"I'm having a great time."