She's sang backup vocals for artists like Faith Hill, Tish Hinojosa and Garth Brooks. Worked with many writers including Brent Rowan, Eddie Bayers, Brent Mason and Karen Staley. Her songs have been recorded by Suzy Bogguss, Garth Brooks, Anita Cochran, Ty Herndon, John Michael Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, Olivia Newton-John, Doug Stone, Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Now to most people that would be enough but not for Victoria Shaw for she is also a wife and mother, to 1 year old Ruby. Not only that she has also found time to record 3 albums including her current one "New Friends Old Memories" on her own Taffeta label. For more information about Victoria then visit her website.
Victoria took time out of her busy schedule to speak exclusively to Country Music File

CMF:- You actually started singing and writing songs as a child and performing with your sister around L.A. where you had moved to from New York. What memories have you from those early days and can you still remember the first song you wrote?
VICTORIA:- The first song I ever wrote was called HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR. I was 12 and it was all about being rich and famous and going to fabulous parties. I was a big dreamer even back then. I formed my first band at the age of 13 and our first gig was playing at this outside mall for free. My sister never performed with me, but at that first gig she and a friend handed out free chocolate chip cookies along with our business card and at the end of the week we had all these people calling us to play at their parties (or their children's parties).

CMF:- Didn't you also start a magazine - 'Big Beautiful Women' when you were 15.. What gave you the motivation to do this?
VICTORIA:- No, actually it was my parents that started a BBW when I was 15. It was (and still is) the first fashion magazine for large size woman.

CMF:- By the time you moved back to New York at the age of 18, had you decided upon a career in music and how did you pursue this?
VICTORIA:- I ALWAYS knew I was going to be a singer. I moved to New York because I always felt a deep connection and fascination with that city even though I grew up in LA.

CMF:- You actually had a chart entry in 1984 with "Break My Heart" - What did it feel like to have your first chart entry and was this before you started commuting to Nashville?
VICTORIA:- It was exciting, but I don't think I really realized what a feat that really was. My father and I just put this record out on our own small (very small) label and it got a lot of airplay on a lot of big stations. The shame was that I didn't know how Nashville worked back then. I didn't have a manager or really anybody to tell me what to do next. But it got me started at coming down to Nashville and I got a chance to see all these great songwriters performing at the Bluebird and it made me want to be a better writer. I thought I would get a lot of respect in the industry if I wrote hits for other people and then I hoped I would get a record deal after that. It took me quite a few years, but it all finally happened.

CMF:- In Nashville you started working for Gary Morris and didn't you used to share an apartment with my favourite artist, Faith Hill, who also worked for Gary Morris. You also sang backup on Faith's 1st album and she appeared in your video for "Cry Wolf". What were early days like and do you still keep in touch with Faith?
VICTORIA:- Yes, Faith was the secretary at the publishing office I wrote for. She was a very, very sweet person and we became friends. It was awhile before I found out she could sing. I had no idea. Faith and I were very close (she threw me my wedding shower) and when her first marriage ended she came and lived with me for 6 months. I'm very happy for her and all or success. Faith is an extremely talented woman and I think she has only shown us a tip of the iceberg. She has only begun to show us all her talents.

CMF:- It was while writing for Gary that you met Garth Brooks and co-wrote "The River" with him which became your first of three No 1 Country hits. The others being "Too Busy Being In Love" (Doug Stone) and "I Love The Way You Love Me" (John Michael Montgomery). What did it feel like having that success after working so hard?
VICTORIA:- I met Garth before I signed with Gary Morris. Garth and I wrote THE RIVER three years before it was ever recorded. It was quite a thrill to go from nothing to three number ones in one year. It was a dream come true.

CMF:- Your songs have been recorded by artist such as Suzy Bogguss, Garth Brooks, John Michael Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, Olivia Newton John, Doug Stone and Tanya Tucker. When you are writing do you have a particular artist in mind?
VICTORIA:- Most of the time I don't unless of course, I'm writing with the artist (i.e., Garth or Olivia). I just like to write a song with no restrictions and then sit back and see who it would be good for.

CMF:- Sometimes you write alone and other times collaborate - on collaborations do you write the words or music or, does it vary? Also from where do you (and co-writers) find the inspiration?
VICTORIA:- I mostly collaborate. I prefer that because I can be a very lazy writer on my own. Ha! I like to collaborate with a writer like myself who is comfortable writing lyrics and music. I find my inspirations from so many places....friends, family, books, people watching...

CMF:- You've visited the UK several times as a performer with Don Williams and at short notice you replaced Lorrie Morgan last year at the London Palladium but you've also been here on other occasions. Have you had the opportunity to sightsee?
VICTORIA:- Before I started performing in the UK I spent A LOT of time there visiting my very good friends. I used to go to London about twice a year so I've had a chance to see a lot. My friends and I even drove up to Scotland which was a blast. My husband and I feel very connected to the UK...so much so that we named our daughter Ruby Cambridge.

CMF:- Last year was busy for you as not only did you start your own record label - Taffeta but a month later you also became a proud mother with the birth of Ruby. Didn't you find it difficult launching the business while coping with pregnancy?
VICTORIA:- I'm pretty good at juggling many balls in the air at once. I'm lucky that my business partner is my husband. He understands this crazy life and together we make it work. I felt like I was giving birth twice last year. First to my new CD (and new record company) and then to my beautiful daughter. I will say that we probably should have done a bit more promotion, but my child will and always will come first. She travels everywhere with us and she has the best attitude. She just goes with the flow.

CMF:- Has being a mother either affected the way you write or, has the experience given you inspiration for subjects?
VICTORIA:- I'm sure my love for her has made it's way into my songwriting in somehow, but I'm not conscience of it. I haven't written a song about her yet...I am way to lost for words when I think about how I feel about her.

CMF:- How are you and your husband, Robert coping with parenthood particularly now Ruby is one year old?
VICTORIA:- Don't get me started about Ruby or you'll never get me to stop. Parenthood is the greatest, most joyous thing that has ever happened to Robert and me. Everything else pales in comparison. Songwriting and performing is fantastic, but nothing beats looking into my daughters eyes.

CMF:- Following your two excellent albums for Warner Reprise - "In Full View" and "Victoria Shaw" - your current album "New Friends Old Memories" is released on your own label Taffeta. What prompted you to take this step?
VICTORIA:- Even though my first two albums received critical success it never was able to break through with radio success. Of course that was very disappointing and I could go on and on about my theory about that and point my fingers here and there, but the bottom line is it didn't work at Warners for me. After leaving there I just didn't have the desire to go through the same frustration again. So Robert suggested that I just make my own album the way I WANTED TO MAKE IT and we'd put it out on our own label on our own terms. So that's what I did and that's what we did! Of course, I'm not selling as many records, yet,but I'm having a LOT more fun which is most important in life.

CMF:- What with being a wife, mother, singer and writer do you get much leisure time and how do you like to relax?
VICTORIA:- I'm very good at being lazy. Before Ruby was born I used to needlepoint while watching TV, flying or whenever my hands were free. Now I just like to play and spend time with my daughter and get together with friends.

CMF:- What is the most memorable moment of your life - your Emmy's - First No 1 - ACM Song of Year - Birth of Ruby - Opening for Garth at Central Park or something else?
VICTORIA:- Ummmm....I've had a lot of highlights...the first one is definitely the birth of my daughter. Then I guess it would be winning the ACM award, opening for Garth and winning the Emmys.

CMF:-Thank you Victoria for taking the time from your busy schedule and Good luck with future ventures.

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