Shawn
(bass guitar, vocals, trombone)
I began my music career at the age of 9, playing drums in my grandfather’s band:
The Roadrunners
(classic country)
After my first gig with my new band, I was so surprised to find that I could get paid for having so much fun.
...and a monster was created...
One afternoon my grandpa stood me on a stepstool to let me “bang†on his upright acoustic bass. He thought it an unusual amount of raw natural talent to have at such an early age, so he bought me my first electric guitar and amp. He taught me a few chords, and gave me a few beginner books on how to play, but I didn’t really take to playing chords much, but chose rather to pick out melodic lines on single strings.
I went on to join the school band program on trombone continuing into high school, (also playing bass guitar in the show choir combo where I met some other dreamers and formed
The Hardware N’ Blues Band
(original rock).
After high school, I went on to major in music (trombone, bass guitar, French horn) majoring on trombone, but minoring on bass guitar, french horn, and percussion at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK where I studied music theory and composition, music history, and conducting. In my second year I was invited to become a member of the world’s largest fraternity for professional musicians,
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
SWOSU provided me an outlet to study and perform on many of my instruments in many symphonic bands, the school’s orchestra, brass ensemble, percussion ensemble, and all three award winning jazz bands as well as in local clubs with
Jazzmine
(classic jazz).
Since leaving school, I have toured the country performing for thousands in powerhouse groups like;
Klass Klowns
(‘80s rock)
The Austin Nail Band
(rock)
Nailed
(rock)
Counterpoint
(classic rock)
Warren Peace
(original rock)
Exit Left
(classic rock)
Lazy Lightnin’
(Grateful Dead tribute band)
The Blue Meanies
(original blues-funk acoustic duo)
The Net Surfers
(‘50s & ‘60s rock)
Blue Odyssey
(big band swing and jazz)
Kinky Slinky
(original reggae, ska and funk)
Robert Sea and Key West
(Jimmy Buffett tribute band)
The Joe Baldwin Band
(soft rock)
OZB
(classic rock)
The Otis Watkins Band
(roadhouse blues rock)
Audio Pimps
(funk and rock)
MODE
(original punk metal)
Sons of the New South
(top 40 country)
The Young Guns
(top 40 country)
That Other Band
(motown, super hits of the ‘50’s, ‘60’s, ‘70’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s
and many others. I have also recorded extensively with many artists, and have enjoyed hiring out as a staff member on
Carnival Cruise Lines
in the ships’ orchestras performing Broadway musical theatre, and the ships’ jazz combos.
I am currently performing in and around Tulsa OK with:
Rubix Groove
(newer and original pop rock)
BBE
(hip hop / funk / experimental)