Shawn Jones

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 and in Nashville, with forays as far a field as Europe.

Most recently, Shawn was the featured artist on CMTs website under their independent artist section, New voices, no cover where Shawn and his mates performed a live in studio session of three songs. The videos can be viewed at http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/jones__shawn/artist.jhtml Shawns third album project, appropriately titled, All In Good Time, was completed in the fall, 2005 with Grammy winning producer/engineer David Z. In June/July 2004, Shawn played for international troops at military bases in Iraq, and the Balkans in support of World Peace and Freedom. Shawn Jones hit the road in May/June 2005 on a one-month tour of live performances and BBC radio spots in the Republic of Ireland and UK. I grew up influenced by my favorite rock guitarists, Clapton and Hendrix, says Shawn, though my father raised me on Hank Sr. and Waylon. Waylon Jennings instantly became of fan of Shawns 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 is a world-class singer, writer and musician all wrapped into one. Waylon was so impressed with Shawns talent that he invited him to play on his 1996 release Right For The Time and at Willie Nelsons 1996 Fourth Of July Picnic. Waylon also asked Shawn to play lead guitar in his band for the record breaking 1996 Lollapalooza 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 Lollapalooza exemplified to Shawn that, 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 thereafter in 1997, Shawn was invited to Frankfurt, Germany to play guitar, arrange, and Co-produce the debut album for the artist Emma on MCA Records/Germany.

After his stint with Waylon and his trip to Germany, Shawn spent some time in both Nashville and Los Angeles writing with some of the music industrys 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 Steves studio soon after. The mysterious ballad, So Here I Am, a song in which Wariner makes a guest appearance, is the fourth track on Shawns debut album Natural Soul. The song went on to place 3rd (out of 3,000) in the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition in 1999.

Shawns song Invincible Me was featured in the 100th episode of Dawsons Creek on the Fox network. Jones and his band made a cameo appearance in the Fine Line Pictures release, Tumbleweeds, starring Golden Globe winning actress, Janet McTeer. Two of his songs, Long Way Down and Lightening Strike Me Down are heard in the movie, and the barn burning single Long Way Down was included on the RCA/Victor soundtrack album. Other artists on the album include: Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, Buck Owens, Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams. Shawns song Lightening Strike Me Down was also selected for the Hollywood Pictures film, Mystery Alaska.

Other songwriting partners include: Jimmy Scott ~ (songwriter, Grammy Winner / Bonnie Raitt) Dennis Walker ~ (songwriter, 3 time Grammy Winner / Robert Cray Band) Danny Wilde ~ (singer, songwriter, producer / The Rembrandts) Jeff Carter ~ (singer, songwriter, guitarist / Deana Carter) David Z ~ (engineer, producer, writer, Grammy Winner / Etta James, Prince, Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Fine Young Cannibals, ect.) Michael Smutherman ~ (singer, songwriter, musician / Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, The Zoo) Jeff Silbar ~ (Grammy Winner, songwriter / Wind Beneath My Wings)

The Shawn Jones Band is an American Roots/Rock group with an international appeal. They are true to form of their influences spanning from all the greats in Rock, Rhythm & Blues, & Country. He and his band mates have been working in excess of 250 dates a year, creating new fans and followers everywhere they perform. Shawns music is digitally distributed literally everywhere on regulated paid Internet downloading sites inc. (itunes, msn, Yahoo, Rhapsody, Sony Connect, Musicmatch, etc.)

Now residing in California, Shawns ability to combine undeniable playing, singing, writing, and recording, coupled with heartfelt emotion, has earned him the slot as one of the most compelling new artists on todays roots music scene.