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 has been creating quite a buzz overseas, touring extensively in the U.K. and Ireland at some of the major festivals and appearing on BBC radio where his music has found a new home and has been getting extensive airplay. Back in the States, Shawn has completed his fourth project, a live CD from a local Laguna Beach night hotspot entitled, “Live At Mozambique”. His fan base continues to grow like wildfire from a flurry of live performances, sharing the stage with such heavy hitters as Pat Benatar, The Gin Blossoms, Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter, Leon Russell, John Mayall, Dave Mason, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Joe Bonamassa David Lindley… and the list goes on.
“The Independent music scene in the US and Europe have really embraced my music and have allowed me to keep doing what I love because of their continued support”, says Shawn. He was also asked to play for his long-time friend and superstar Deana Carter on her 2007 release, “The Chain” as well as lead and acoustic guitar on several live and televised performances. Shawn was featured artist on CMT’s website under their independent artist section, “New voices, no cover” where Shawn and his mates performed a live in studio session of three songs.

“I’ve been asked by just about everybody that knows me to put together a live CD to capture the very thing that gets lost in the studio. Spontaneous performance is such a big part of my music”, says Shawn. “There’s a really cool club in Orange County called Mozambique that we have been able to successfully capture so many great moments, and will be putting out a series of live CDs between studio recordings”.

Shawn Jones
Live @ Mozambique
High Drive Records
****

Rootsy rockin' with a soulful twist, wrapped up in a live setting and served hot and spicy.

I'm constantly amazed at the depth of hidden talent out there. Just when you think you've heard it all before, up pops another one from rock'n'roll's never-ending well of surprises. Californian native Shawn Jones is one such talent, a fine guitarist with a strong, gravelly voice who knows how to hammer out a tasty tune or two. LIVE @ MOZAMBIQUE finds him and his band turning in a superb performance; mind you, aside from the occasional murmur and light smattering of applause, you'd be hard pressed to know that this is a live recording. There's hardly any between song chatter either, it's just the band up there giving their all and letting the songs and the playing do the talking.

Jones' compositions tend to be slow burners, a plus point as far as I'm concerned. When songs take time to leave their mark they linger longer in the memory and that is most definitely the case here. The sound is a combination ofrootsy rock, blues and white soul, the white soul element bringing to mind Michael McDonald era Doobie Brothers albeit not quite so smooth. It's a pretty potent brew and very infectious when in full swing, and it has to be said that Jones is one very tasty guitarist. If there has to be a criticism it's only a small one, and it's quite simply this: he doesn't cut loose for long enough! He lures the listener in with short bursts of scintillating playing and then stops...and that's so frustrating because this boy really does capture the imagination with his talent. Still, what's here in these grooves is well worthy of your attention, just be prepared to play it a few times and don't judge it on first listen.

DH September 2008 Maverick Magazine www.maverick-country.com

Shawn’s third album project, appropriately titled, “All In Good Time”, was completed in the fall, 2005 after losing his father and Jammin’ buddy Danny Jones. On this body of work Shawn collaborated 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. “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 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 is a world-class singer, writer and musician all wrapped into one.” Waylon was so impressed with Shawn’s talent that he invited 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 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 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 Wariner makes a guest appearance, is the fourth track on Shawn’s debut album “Natural Soul”. The song went on to place 3rd (out of 3,000) in the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition in 1999.

Shawn’s song “Invincible Me” was featured in the 100th episode of “Dawson’s 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. Shawn’s 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)
Deana Carter ~ (Multi-platinum recording artist)
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.
Shawn’s 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, Shawn’s 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 today’s roots music scene.

Shawn Jones
http://www.shawnjonesmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/shawnjonesmusic
http://www.cafe-americana.com

Booking and inquiries: 310-488-2170

Shawn’s music is available on itunes and all legal digital download sites worldwide.