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Biography
Alannah Myles (née Byles; born in Toronto on 25 December 1958) is a Canadian singer/songwriter who has won both a Grammy and a Juno Award for her 1989 recording of the song “Black Velvet” that, in 1990, was a top-ten hit in Canada and a number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
As a young girl, Myles competed as an equestrian in Canada's prestigious Royal Winter Fair later studying to be a graphic artist, actor, stunt model, make up artist and wardrobe stylist to pay for her true calling, music. Myles changed her surname from Byles at the age of 19, after deciding to pursue a career in entertainment. Between appearing in TV ads, modelling and local gigs which, due to her multi-tasking confused Canadian labels who continually rejected signing her as a recording artist, she financed two songs from her 1989 debut album with match financing from FACTOR and Much Music's Christopher Ward who wrote songs (Black Velvet), executive produced and helped manage her music career signed to Atlantic Records with worldwide international success.
