Artist description As a songwriter, Shannon has earned much admiration as well as a write-up in Billboard Magazine, and a recent cover story in the local GO! magazine. His lyrics range from intelligent and thought provoking to lightheartedly silly. One might say that his songs are whimsically deep. His musical style is as eclectic as his lyrical content, but whether he is hinting at rock, country, folk, or blues, his songs all manage to blend familiarity with originality in a way that suggests his intent to create music that you wish you had heard before. While Shannon's diversity is much that of a "musician's musician", he is no stranger to his audience. As he introduces a crowd to songs that they may have never heard, he is careful to tailor his material to include a variety of familiar selections. The result is an evening of music that many listeners probably don't expect to hear from a solo guitarist. Classic songs like Josie by Steely Dan, or Reminiscing by The Little River Band, followed by more current hits like Everlong from The Foo Fighters, or New York by Ryan Adams. As for the more familiar tunes, Shannon has yet to find a crowd that doesn't like to sing along to the "la-dee-da's" in Brown Eyed Girl, or the "plee-ee-ee-ee-eese" in Stuck In The Middle With You. In fact, sometimes the crowd isn't singing along with him, he's singing along with them!

Music Style You name it.

Musical Influences Beatles, Phish, Zappa, too many to mention.

Similar Artists Cross between Bare Naked Ladies & The Foo Fighters?

Artist History Shannon Morris has been performing in the Mid-Missouri area for nearly fifteen years. He has played for numerous benefits and festivals, and in many local nightclubs; The Blue Note, Mojo’s, Shiloh, Johnny’s Beanery, The Music Café, The Thirsty Turtle, and The Field House. He has performed for the Columbia Downtown Association at First Night, and the Twilight Festival. He has also performed at Earth Day for the past five years, and has been the emcee for the eighth street stage for the past two years. Shannon has shared the stage with such nationally recognized acts as John Hiatt, The Jimmie Van Zant Band, James McMurtry, Dan Bern, and The Aquarium Rescue Unit. His band Festivus recently opened up a sold-out show for Ray Charles at Jesse Auditorium. He has appeared in many local bands throughout his career. Among them are Del Alma, The Marabouts, and John McHale & Paradigm Revolutionaries. (The Paradigm Revolutionaries CD credits Shannon for being the musical director, a co-writer of two of the songs, and an executive producer, and for his contributions on guitar, mandolin, and vocals.) He presently performs with One June Oracle, Gumpenny, (fa-HEE-ta), and Festivus.

Group Members (fa-HEE-ta): Shannon Morris, Dave Schultz, & David Steinbach. . . . . GUMPENNY: Shannon Morris, Mike Robertson, & either Gerry Blaise, Sean Erickson, or Dave Steinbach. . . . . FESTIVUS: Shannon Morris, Jerry Wagner, Travis Huff, Tom O'Connor, Mike Robertson, and Gerry Blaise. . . . . ONE JUNE ORACLE: Shannon Morris, Pete Kim, Kevin Bucklew, and Dave Steinbach.

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Vocals

Albums Columbia Missouri Noise Ordinance Compilation, 10:00 Newz Compilation, John McHale & Paradigm Revolutionaries

Press Reviews "Analytical - a nice folk-tinged rocker." - Billboard Magazine 01/23/93 ................... "His sound is musically adept....Morris's earnest, expressive voice stands out in the work." - Columbia Daily Tribune 04/11/02 ................. "Shannon Morris is well within the ranks of this area's finest songwriters and performers." - Richard King, owner of The Blue Note and Mojo's ................ "Shannon Morris's creative musical influence and business sense reflects commitment to the success of the establishments that employ him. His drive demands audience's respect, wins attention, and produces involvement." - Andrew Vrooman, owner of The Thirsty Turtle and The Hartsburg Hitchin' Post.

Location Columbia, Missouri - USA

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