Artist description Shawn Jones began winning over audiences with his unique blend of exceptional singing, songwriting, and guitar playing at a very young age. Shawn has become a popular fixture in the California Southland, with occasional forays as far afield as Europe. Most recently Jones and his band made a cameo appearance in the new independent film, "Tumbleweeds" on Fine-Line Pictures, which starred Golden Globe winning actress, Janet McTeer. Two of his songs, "Long Way Down" and "Lightning Strike Me Down" are heard in the movie and the barn-burning single "Long Way Down" has been included on the RCA/Victor soundtrack CD. Other artists on the CD included: Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, Buck Owens, Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams. Shawn's song, "Lightning Strike Me Down" was also selected for the Hollywood Pictures film, "Mystery Alaska". "I grew up influenced by my favorite rock guitarists, Clapton and Hendrix", says Shawn, "though my father raised me on Hank Sr. and Waylon Jennings." Waylon Jennings instantly became a fan of Shawn's after seeing him play one night in Los Angeles. "The first time I saw him", says Waylon, "it was just Shawn and a guitar in a small room and he was drawing that music out of every fiber of himself. It was obvious to me that he was a world-class singer, writer and musician all wrapped into one." Waylon felt strongly enough of Shawn's talent to invite him to play on his 1996 release "Right For The Time" and at Willie Nelson's 1996 Fourth of July Picnic. Waylon also asked Shawn to play lead guitar in his band for the record-breaking 1996 Lallapalooza Tour. Shawn shared "main stage" with headliners: Metallica, Soundgarden and the Ramones appearing in front of in excess of 30,000 fans.The unconditional acceptance of Waylon at Lallapalooza exemplified to Shawn, however diverse - music speaks to all people. "I had always written and performed, but after that experience I was able to carve out my own niche", says Shawn.Shortly after his stint with Waylon, Shawn spent some time in both Nashville and Los Angeles writing with some of the music industry's top writers and artists. While in Nashville, Shawn met CMA Winner and two -time Grammy Winner, Steve Wariner and they immediately became friends. Shawn & Steve wrote and recorded a song together in Steve's studio soon after. The mysterious ballad, "So Here I Am" a song in which Warnier makes a guest appearance, is the fourth track on Shawn's debut CD "Natural Soul". The song went on to place 3rd (out of 3,000) in the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition in 1999.Other songwriting partners include:Jimmy Scott – (Grammy Winner / Bonnie Raitt) Dennis Walker – (3 time Grammy Winner / Robert Cray Band)Danny Wilde – (singer, songwriter, producer / The Rembrandts)Shawn and his bandmates have been working in excess of 250 dates a year, creating new fans and followers everywhere they perform. Shawn has just completed his second CD project titled, “Little Dreams” with co-producer Alan Mirikitani. Shawn's combination of undeniable talent and heart felt emotion make him one of the most compelling new artists on today's music scene. "I honestly believe he is where music is heading!"~~Waylon Jennings

Music Style Roots Rock

Musical Influences Eric Clapton, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Jimi Hendrix,Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Johnson

Similar Artists Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty

Albums Little Dreams, Natural Soul

Location Santa Monica, Ca - USA

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