Shawn Mullins
Encyclopedia
Shawn Mullins is an American singer-songwriter
who specializes in folk rock
, instrumental rock
, adult alternative
, and Americana
music. He is best known for the 1998 single, "Lullaby
", which hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award
.
. He cultivated an interest in music beginning in his days at Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Georgia
(where he made the acquaintance of friend and mentor Amy Ray
of the Indigo Girls
). Later, he honed his craft in his college days at North Georgia College and State University
as a solo acoustic musician and bandmaster of the military marching band (Golden Eagle Band
). He attended North Georgia College and State University
on an Army
ROTC scholarship with an intention of possibly pursuing a military career. Although he quickly abandoned this notion in favor of songwriting, the contract nonetheless obliged him after graduation to serve a short term as an inactive Infantry
officer
in the Individual Ready Reserve
component of the U.S. Army
Reserve
. He served in an inactive status, reaching the rank of 1st lieutenant before fulfilling his service obligation and resigning honorably.
Soon, he added a drummer (Mickey Hendrix) and bassist (Carlton Brown) to form the power pop
trio billed as "Shawn Eric Mullins with Twice Removed", a combo that would help carry him to campus-wide and regional notoriety. Eventually the "Twice Removed" trio parted ways under amicable terms, and Mullins began using a variety of collaborative lineups while building his reputation as a solo artist. Mullins was married briefly to Sharon Odom of Blairsville, Ga. during the early 90's. Odom was a school teacher at Union County Middle School in Blairsville and was the daughter of Earl Odom, the School's Superintendant.
His critical breakthrough came when his song "Lullaby
", from the album Soul's Core
, became a radio and video hit. One of his more famous songs, "All In My Head," was featured on the hit television sitcom "Scrubs
". This song was written after an e-mail was sent out by the producers of the new show Scrubs was searching for a theme song. Mullins wrote a demo version and sent it in within a 24 hour period. It wasn't selected as the theme song but the demo version was used in a season one episode of the series.
In the video for "Lullaby", directed by Roger Pistole, actress Dominique Swain
appeared. Another single, "Shimmer," was included on the soundtrack for the TV show Dawson's Creek
and was a minor hit. "Shimmer" was also used in Australia as part of its promotional campaign during the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics
and it is still considered in Australia as the unofficial anthem of the games. To date, he has yet to match the overwhelming commercial success of "Lullaby," which was also released as a live performance on the charity album Live in the X Lounge II
in 1999. In early 2002, he formed the supergroup The Thorns
with Matthew Sweet
and Pete Droge
.
In 2006, Mullins released his first album on new label Vanguard Records
, 9th Ward Pickin Parlor
, as well as a new single, entitled "Beautiful Wreck", from the album. The single enjoyed modest success by reaching number-one on the Americana and AAA (Adult Album Alternative), and was featured in the Cities 97 Sampler
, Volume 18.
On March 11, 2008, Mullins released his second album on Vanguard, entitled Honeydew
. On October 12, 2010 Mullins released his new album on Vanguard, entitled Light You Up
.'
, The Producers
and the Indigo Girls
. However, his most significant and enduring influences are rock
singer-songwriters like James Taylor
and country
musicians such as Kris Kristofferson
.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
who specializes in folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
, instrumental rock
Instrumental rock
Instrumental rock is a type of rock music which emphasizes musical instruments, and which features very little or no singing.Examples of instrumental rock can be found in practically every subgenre of rock, often from musicians who specialize in the style, most notably Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Link...
, adult alternative
Adult album alternative
Adult album alternative is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats....
, and Americana
Americana (music)
Americana is an amalgam of roots musics formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the American musical ethos; specifically those sounds that are merged from folk, country, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll and other external influential styles...
music. He is best known for the 1998 single, "Lullaby
Lullaby (Shawn Mullins song)
"Lullaby" is a song by American rock singer Shawn Mullins, from the album Soul's Core. It was released in 1998. The song has been Mullins' most successful song to date, reaching #1 on the Adult Top 40, #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #9 on the Modern Rock Tracks...
", which hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
.
Career
Mullins was born in Atlanta, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. He cultivated an interest in music beginning in his days at Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Georgia
Clarkston, Georgia
Clarkston is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 7,554 at the 2010 census. The city is home to the central campus of Georgia Perimeter College....
(where he made the acquaintance of friend and mentor Amy Ray
Amy Ray
Amy Elizabeth Ray is an American singer-songwriter and member of the contemporary folk duo Indigo Girls. She also pursues a solo career and has released four albums under her own name, and founded a record company, Daemon Records....
of the Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls
The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
). Later, he honed his craft in his college days at North Georgia College and State University
North Georgia College and State University
North Georgia College & State University is a four-year public university located in Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia. Founded as North Georgia Agricultural College in 1873, it is the second oldest co-educational institution in the state. The university is renowned for its ROTC program, and is...
as a solo acoustic musician and bandmaster of the military marching band (Golden Eagle Band
Golden Eagle Band
The is the official instrumental ensemble of North Georgia College and State University's . It serves as one of the featured units at all Cadet Reviews and military ceremonies during the school year...
). He attended North Georgia College and State University
North Georgia College and State University
North Georgia College & State University is a four-year public university located in Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia. Founded as North Georgia Agricultural College in 1873, it is the second oldest co-educational institution in the state. The university is renowned for its ROTC program, and is...
on an Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
ROTC scholarship with an intention of possibly pursuing a military career. Although he quickly abandoned this notion in favor of songwriting, the contract nonetheless obliged him after graduation to serve a short term as an inactive Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
in the Individual Ready Reserve
Individual Ready Reserve
The Individual Ready Reserve is a category of the Ready Reserve of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces of the United States composed of former active duty or reserve military personnel, and is authorized under...
component of the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
. He served in an inactive status, reaching the rank of 1st lieutenant before fulfilling his service obligation and resigning honorably.
Soon, he added a drummer (Mickey Hendrix) and bassist (Carlton Brown) to form the power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
trio billed as "Shawn Eric Mullins with Twice Removed", a combo that would help carry him to campus-wide and regional notoriety. Eventually the "Twice Removed" trio parted ways under amicable terms, and Mullins began using a variety of collaborative lineups while building his reputation as a solo artist. Mullins was married briefly to Sharon Odom of Blairsville, Ga. during the early 90's. Odom was a school teacher at Union County Middle School in Blairsville and was the daughter of Earl Odom, the School's Superintendant.
His critical breakthrough came when his song "Lullaby
Lullaby (Shawn Mullins song)
"Lullaby" is a song by American rock singer Shawn Mullins, from the album Soul's Core. It was released in 1998. The song has been Mullins' most successful song to date, reaching #1 on the Adult Top 40, #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #9 on the Modern Rock Tracks...
", from the album Soul's Core
Soul's Core
Soul's Core is the fourth studio album by Shawn Mullins, and his breakthrough album, spawning the hit "Lullaby" , as well as moderate hit "Shimmer"...
, became a radio and video hit. One of his more famous songs, "All In My Head," was featured on the hit television sitcom "Scrubs
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
". This song was written after an e-mail was sent out by the producers of the new show Scrubs was searching for a theme song. Mullins wrote a demo version and sent it in within a 24 hour period. It wasn't selected as the theme song but the demo version was used in a season one episode of the series.
In the video for "Lullaby", directed by Roger Pistole, actress Dominique Swain
Dominique Swain
Dominique Ariane Swain is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as the title character in the 1997 film adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita, and as Jamie Archer in the film Face/Off.- Early life :...
appeared. Another single, "Shimmer," was included on the soundtrack for the TV show Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek is an American teen drama television series which debuted on January 20, 1998, on The WB Television Network and was produced by Sony Pictures Television. The show is set in the fictional seaside town of Capeside, Massachusetts, and in Boston, Massachusetts, during the later seasons...
and was a minor hit. "Shimmer" was also used in Australia as part of its promotional campaign during the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
and it is still considered in Australia as the unofficial anthem of the games. To date, he has yet to match the overwhelming commercial success of "Lullaby," which was also released as a live performance on the charity album Live in the X Lounge II
Live in the X Lounge
Live in the X Lounge is a series of albums released by Birmingham, Alabama's former alternative rock radio station, WRAX.Though the station can no longer be found on the air, this series of live performances was produced while the station was known as 107.7 The X...
in 1999. In early 2002, he formed the supergroup The Thorns
The Thorns
The Thorns are an American acoustic rock band formed in 2002 as a project of Matthew Sweet, Pete Droge, and Shawn Mullins.The band toured the United States and Europe throughout 2003, in support of their eponymous debut album.-Discography:...
with Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet
Sidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
and Pete Droge
Pete Droge
Pete Droge is an American alternative/folk rock musician from Vashon Island in Washington State's Puget Sound. His debut album Necktie Second, released by American records in 1994, featured the tongue-in-cheek "If You Don't Love Me ", , as well as the songs "Sunspot Stopwatch" and "So I am Over...
.
In 2006, Mullins released his first album on new label Vanguard Records
Vanguard Records
Vanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
, 9th Ward Pickin Parlor
9th Ward Pickin Parlor
9th Ward Pickin Parlor is a 2006 studio album by Shawn Mullins, recorded in Atlanta and in New Orleans Ninth Ward before Hurricane Katrina...
, as well as a new single, entitled "Beautiful Wreck", from the album. The single enjoyed modest success by reaching number-one on the Americana and AAA (Adult Album Alternative), and was featured in the Cities 97 Sampler
Cities 97 Sampler
The Cities 97 Sampler is a series of albums containing "live in studio" recordings from radio station Cities 97 in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
, Volume 18.
On March 11, 2008, Mullins released his second album on Vanguard, entitled Honeydew
Honeydew (album)
Honeydew is a 2008 studio album by Shawn Mullins. -Track listing:#All in My Head#Home#The Ballad of Kathryn Johnston#Homeless Joe#Leaving All Your Troubles Behind#Fraction of a Man#See That Train#For America#Cabbagetown#Nameless Faces...
. On October 12, 2010 Mullins released his new album on Vanguard, entitled Light You Up
Light You Up (album)
Light You Up is the eighth studio album release from singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins.-Track listing:#California#Light You Up#Murphy's Song#No Blue Sky#The Ghost of Johnny Cash#Tinseltown#I Knew a Girl#Catoosa County#You Make It Better#Can't Remember Summer...
.'
Influences
Mullins's earlier work was influenced by acoustic and power-pop groups such as the Violent FemmesViolent Femmes
Violent Femmes were an American alternative rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, initially active between 1980 and 1987 and again from 1988 to 2009...
, The Producers
The Producers (band)
The Producers is a new wave and power pop band from Atlanta, Georgia in the 1980s. The original line up included Van Temple on guitar and vocals, former Whiteface member Kyle Henderson on bass and vocals, former Billy Joe Royal sideman "Wayne Famous" on keyboards, and Bryan Holmes on...
and the Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls
The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
. However, his most significant and enduring influences are rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
singer-songwriters like James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
and country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
musicians such as Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
.
Albums
- Shawn Mullins (1990)
- Ever Changing World (1991)
- Better Days (1992)
- Big Blue Sky (1994)
- Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 1Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 1Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 1 is the first live album by Shawn Mullins and Matthew Kahler, recorded live at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia on 10 May 1995...
(1995) - Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 2Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 2Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 2 is the second live album by Shawn Mullins and Matthew Kahler, recorded live at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, Georgia on 1995. The album was released on 8 September 1995 on Mullins' own label, SMG Records...
(1995) - Eggshells (1996)
- Soul's CoreSoul's CoreSoul's Core is the fourth studio album by Shawn Mullins, and his breakthrough album, spawning the hit "Lullaby" , as well as moderate hit "Shimmer"...
(1998, Sony) US number 54, Platinum - The First Ten Years (1999)
- Beneath the Velvet SunBeneath the Velvet SunBeneath the Velvet Sun is the fifth studio album by Shawn Mullins. It was released in October 2000.-Track listing:# Up All Night# Everywhere I Go# Amy's Eyes# Somethin' to Believe In# Valentine# Lonesome, I Know You Too Well# I Know# We Run...
(2000) - The Essential Shawn Mullins (2003)
- Live From Portland Bootleg (2004)
- Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 3 (2005)
- 9th Ward Pickin Parlor9th Ward Pickin Parlor9th Ward Pickin Parlor is a 2006 studio album by Shawn Mullins, recorded in Atlanta and in New Orleans Ninth Ward before Hurricane Katrina...
(2006) - Lullaby: Hits, Rarities, & Gems" (2007)
- Honeydew (2008)
- Live from the Variety Playhouse (2008)
- Light You UpLight You Up (album)Light You Up is the eighth studio album release from singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins.-Track listing:#California#Light You Up#Murphy's Song#No Blue Sky#The Ghost of Johnny Cash#Tinseltown#I Knew a Girl#Catoosa County#You Make It Better#Can't Remember Summer...
(2010)
Collaborations
- Sister HazelSister HazelSister Hazel are an alternative rock band from Gainesville, Florida, whose style also blends elements of folk rock, pop, classic rock 'n' roll and southern rock. Their music is characterized by highly melodic tunes and generally optimistic lyrics. The band's instrumentation often features abrupt...
's 2006 single, "Mandolin Moon". - "Send Me" on Keni ThomasKeni ThomasKeni Thomas is an American country music singer and former United States Army Ranger who served in The Battle of Mogadishu, portrayed in the 2001 film Black Hawk Down...
's debut album "Flags of Our Fathers" - His cover of the David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
song "ChangesChanges (David Bowie song)"Changes" is a song by David Bowie, originally released on the album Hunky Dory in December 1971 and as a single in January 1972. Despite missing the Top 40, "Changes" became one of Bowie's best-known songs. The lyrics are often seen as a manifesto for his chameleonic personality, sexual ambiguity,...
" is featured in the movie The FacultyThe FacultyThe Faculty is a 1998 science fiction horror film written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Robert Rodriguez...
. - His cover for the George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
song "What Is LifeWhat Is Life"What Is Life" is a song by George Harrison and is the first track on side two of his 1970 solo album All Things Must Pass. It was released as the second single from that album in the United States on February 15, 1971 with another album track, "Apple Scruffs," as the B-side...
" is featured in the movie "Big Daddy" during the end credits. - "All in My Head" is featured in the ScrubsScrubs (TV series)Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
Soundtrack. - Producer on CallaghanCallaghanÓ Ceallacháin, O'Callaghan, or simply Callaghan without the prefix, is an Irish surname.-Munster:The surname means descendent of Ceallachán who was the Eóganachta King of Munster from AD 935 until 954. The personal name Cellach means ‘bright-headed’. The principal Munster sept of the name Callaghan...
's 2009 record "London To Lawrenceville" - Contributing composer credit on the Zac Brown BandZac Brown BandZac Brown Band is an American country music, southern rock, and folk band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The lineup consists of Zac Brown , Jimmy De Martini , John Driskell Hopkins , Coy Bowles , Chris Fryar and Clay Cook...
number-one country single single "Toes"Toes (song)"Toes" is the title of a song recorded by the Zac Brown Band, an American country music band. Lead singer Zac Brown and bass guitarist John Driskell Hopkins co-wrote the song with Shawn Mullins and Wyatt Durette...
from the 2008 platinum selling album The FoundationThe Foundation (Zac Brown Band album)The Foundation is the first major-label studio album by the Zac Brown Band, an American country music band. It was released on November 18, 2008. Originally slated for release on the Home Grown label and Big Picture Records, the album is distributed by Atlantic Nashville in association with those...