Songbird Shenanigans

By Shannon Cruz

"Songbird Shenanigans: 10 Witty & Remarkable Facts about Female Singing Sensations" is a vibrant and insightful journey through the lives of 47-50 iconic female artists who have shaped the music landscape over the past five decades. From the soulful melodies of the 1970s to today's chart-topping hits, this E-book offers a delightful exploration of each artist's unique personality and achievements. The lively and colorful layout, inspired by the design of "101 Facts About Taylor Swift," features captivating stories reworded for a fresh perspective. With a dedicated chapter for each artist, accompanied by a striking image, readers are treated to a visually engaging experience. Adorned with Taylor Swift and representative figures from each decade, the cover promises an eye-catching and nostalgic visual feast. "Songbird Shenanigans" is not just a collection of facts; it's a celebration of the indomitable spirit and talent of female musicians who have left an indelible mark on the world of music.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shannon Cruz
• Release date: Feb 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223480679

Shannon Cruz

My journey began in January 1994 when I joined the Air Force, initially aiming to become a Pararescue. However, I later transitioned to become a Terminal Attack Control Party (TACP) airman. After rigorous training at Hurlburt Field, Florida, including physical fitness tests, I graduated with Honors and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. There, I attended survival school, airborne school, and air assault school. Over time, I experienced Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignments to Korea and Pope Air Force Base, where I undertook the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) course and supported the 82nd Airborne. My journey included training in military jumps, becoming a Special Operations Forces (SOF) JTAC, and serving in various Special Forces Groups. I later transitioned to Fort Lewis, Washington, as a JTAC Instructor and completed a Military Free Fall Jump Master Course. My career took me to Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ, as a Free Fall Instructor. Transitioning to the Texas Army National Guard, I became a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in Austin, Texas, and joined the TX parachute demonstration team. Subsequently, I attended Army flight school at Fort Rucker. In March 2014, I retired from the Army after nearly 21 years of service, having earned multiple awards and completing nine combat deployments. Post-retirement, I pursued a civilian aviation career, accumulating over 3,700 flight hours as both a helicopter and airplane pilot. My educational journey included an associate degree and a Bachelor of Science degree.

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Songbird Shenanigans

10 Witty and Remarkable Facts About Female Singing Sensations

Shannon Cruz

Copyright © 2024

All Rights Reserved

Dedication

I want to dedicate this book to the most important Superstars in my family! To my wife Marialle, my son and daughter Kalebzean, and Gwynever Cruz.

Acknowledgment

First and foremost, I must extend a galaxy-sized thank you to my extraordinary wife, Marialle. Throughout the rollercoaster ride of life, with its ups, downs, and those unexpected loop-de-loops, she has been my unwavering co-pilot, providing guidance and support and probably wondering why she didn’t opt for a quieter journey. Marialle, your strength, and wisdom have been my anchor, and for that, I owe you an eternity of gratitude (and yes, unlimited foot rubs as promised).

To my daughter, the artistic prodigy of the family, who, at the tender age of 13, wields her pencil like a wizard wields a wand, creating visual magic that brings to life the cover of this book and others. Your talent is as boundless as it is breathtaking, and I am both awed and slightly jealous of your abilities. Thank you for making our family look way cooler than we probably are through your art.

Kalebzean, my son, you are the embodiment of love, strength, and support. Always ready with a hug, a joke, or a listening ear, you remind us that the heart of our family beats strong and true. Your presence is a constant reminder that love is the ultimate superpower, and yes, even superheroes have a bedtime.

Lastly, but most importantly, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for His endless love and guidance and for putting up with my less-than-angelic moments. Your light guides me in every word I write, every idea I chase, and every time I accidentally use your instead of you’re – I know you're watching over my grammar, too. This book is a testament to the love, laughter, and slightly questionable decision-making that defines our family. To everyone mentioned and to those who dwell within the spaces of the unmentioned, thank you for being part of this wonderfully chaotic adventure.

About the Author

Shannon Cruz entered the Air Force in 1994, aiming for the pinnacle of physical prowess in the warrior airmen ranks. He tackled both Pararescue and Terminal Attack Control Party (TACP) tests, his grit and determination shining through. His efforts paid off, as he not only passed but graduated with honors, his potential blossoming under the Florida sun at Hulburt Field.

Kansas became his first battleground, where he forged himself into a seasoned Conventional TACP, braving the crucible of a survival school, airborne training, and air assault courses. Five years later, the nomad in him craved new frontiers, leading him to Korea, then to Pope Air Force Base, where he joined forces with the legendary 82nd Airborne, his voice guiding Close Air Support onto unsuspecting targets.

Never content to settle, he devoured the newly minted Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) course, officially becoming a JTAC and mastering the art of orchestrating aerial firepower. His insatiable hunger for knowledge propelled him to conquer the skies as a Static Line Jump Master and HALO Jump Master before attaching himself to the elite realm of Long-range Reconnaissance and earning his place among the Special Operations Forces (SOF) JTACs.

His path then veered toward the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he bolstered their ranks before a Permanent Change of Station landed him at the storied 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Washington. Here, he not only honed his skills as a JTAC Instructor but also painted the sky with his daring leaps as a Military Free Fall Jump Master.

But the siren song of the open sky was too strong to resist, and he traded the verdant Pacific Northwest for the sunbaked expanse of Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona. There, he thrived as a Free Fall Instructor, molding the next generation of aerial warriors with his hard-won expertise.

Texas beckoned next, where Shannon swapped fixed wings for the pulsating rhythm of Blackhawk helicopter blades, joining the Texas Army National Guard and even gracing the skies as part of the state's death-defying parachute demonstration team. The yearning for greater heights, however, wouldn't be silenced, and he embarked on the prestigious Army flight school at Fort Rucker.

Time shifted his path, and his decorated career culminated in a well-deserved retirement at Fort Bragg, this time not as a JTAC but as a skilled Warrant Officer Pilot.

Retirement, however, was merely a chapter closed, not a book ended. His love for the sky remained as boundless as ever, and he took to the civilian world with the same unwavering tenacity that marked his military service. From building hours at Port Canaveral and Myrtle Beach to navigating the treacherous oil rigs of the Gulf of Mexico, he conquered the commercial helicopter world.

But the call of adventure continued to echo in his soul, and he found himself transitioning to jets, mastering the Embraer 175 for Envoy Air, a proud affiliate of American Airlines. Even when the pandemic grounded flights, his spirit refused to be clipped, and he took to the A-Star helicopters of Air Methods, providing critical emergency medical services from above.

Finally, his unwavering dedication to service led him to AAR, where he traded commercial skies for the challenging yet rewarding world of government contracting. In the dusty plains of Iraq, he piloted Huey and Blackhawk helicopters, his skills honed in countless firefights now supporting the Department of State in a different kind of battle.

Shannon’s story is a testament to the determined spirit, the insatiable thirst for challenge, and the immense dedication to service that defines those who choose to fly. It's a journey that spans continents, crosses disciplines, and soars above the ordinary, a testament to the human spirit's boundless potential to take flight, literally and figuratively.

His journey is an inspiration to anyone who dares to dream big and chase their passions with unwavering determination. It is a reminder that the sky is not the limit but the beginning and that with courage, skill, and a relentless spirit, we can all take flight and reach for the extraordinary.

Preface

The past 50 years have seen amazing women rock the music world! Their songs aren’t just catchy; they change how we think about things and make the world a better place. They speak up for what’s right, inspire millions, and leave their mark everywhere, from music to clothes to how we treat each other.

This book takes you on a musical journey with 50 of these incredible artists. It won’t just tell you their stories but also share ten cool facts about each one, the kind that goes beyond their hits. From starting trends to overcoming challenges, these stories show what makes them truly special.

These women didn't just break the rules in music; they broke them everywhere! They became stars not just on stage but in fashion and politics, and they stood up for what they believed in. They showed everyone that girls can rock, be heard, and change the world!

This book isn't just a bunch of facts; it’s a thank you to these amazing women who have filled our lives with music and shaped who we are. It’s an invitation to learn from them, be inspired by them, and maybe even rock out a little yourself! So come on, let’s celebrate the voices that have echoed through the years, voices full of power, creativity, and never giving up on their dreams!

1970s

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

About the Author

Preface

Chapter 1: Aretha Franklin

Chapter 2: Donna Summer

Chapter 3: Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)

Chapter 4: Joni Mitchell

Chapter 5: Diana Ross

Chapter 6: Patti Smith

Chapter 7: Tina Turner

Chapter 8: Linda Ronstadt

Chapter 9: Karen Carpenter (The Carpenters)

Chapter 10: Cher

Chapter 11: Madonna

Chapter 12: Whitney Houston

Chapter 13: Janet Jackson

Chapter 14: Cyndi Lauper

Chapter 15: Tina Turner

Chapter 16: Stevie Nicks (Solo Career)

Chapter 17: Annie Lennox (Eurythmics)

Chapter 18: Pat Benatar

Chapter 19: Sade

Chapter 20: Gloria Estefan

Chapter 21: Mariah Carey

Chapter 22: Celine Dion

Chapter 23: Whitney Houston

Chapter 24: Alanis Morissette

Chapter 25: Shania Twain

Chapter 26: Madonna (1990s Career)

Chapter 27: Britney Spears

Chapter 28: Toni Braxton

Chapter 29: Enya

Chapter 30: Lauryn Hill

Chapter 31: Beyoncé

Chapter 32: Alicia