The Trailblazer Hub

Post image for New Music Monday: Shawn Mullins

I’ve been so excited to write today’s New Music Monday post, because it’s officially countdown time to the release of a new album from one of my absolute “faves”, Shawn Mullins.

Shawn has been a prolific songwriter on the folk/blues/americana scene for some time now, but is best known for his Top 10 hit “Lullaby,” for which he received a Grammy® nomination that propelled the album Soul’s Core to platinum-plus status. Exposed to music at an early age by his grandfather, who was a big band player, Mullins began writing songs and producing cassettes in grammar school. After attending North Georgia College and a stint in the military he launched his own label in 1991 and hit the singer-songwriter circuit, building a strong following in the Southeast. Seven independent albums later, he released Soul’s Core on Sony Music in 1998. He signed with Vanguard Records in 2004 and shortly thereafter released 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlour, followed by Honeydew in 2008.

To say simply that Shawn is a great storyteller would be selling him short. His stories, music, and velvety bass vocals have a way of immediately transporting you to another place. He also manages to breathe new life into every song with every live performance. Having been lucky enough to take in more than my fair share of his live shows, I can’t recall any song having been performed the same way twice, which keeps me wanting to see him over & over.

Here’s a taste of his on-stage magic, via the song, “Twin Rocks Oregon”, originally from his 1998 album, Soul’s Core. This live performance is from his album & DVD “Live at the Variety Playhouse”.

Seriously…if that song doesn’t make you a little misty, there might just be something wrong with you.

His newest album, “Light You Up”, is officially scheduled for release on October 12, with a tour to follow shortly thereafter, and the first single (title track), has just entered rotation on radio stations across the US. Limited information about the album is available at this time, but I was able to find a great video clip of the title track:

I’ll be waiting not-so-patiently to find out when/if his tour brings him to my neck of the woods (Portland, ME), & I know I’ll definitely see him (along with a long list of other incredible artists) on the Cayamo cruise in February 2011. You should come too!

You can keep up with Shawn, & keep an eye on announcements & updates on his website, or thru any of the other links below.