- Shawn Mullins
Infobox musical artist
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Name = Shawn Mullins
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Background = solo_singer
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Born = birth date and age|1968|3|8
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Origin =Atlanta, Georgia ,United States
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Genre =Alternative rock
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Years_active = 1990 – present
Label =Vanguard Records
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URL = [http://www.shawnmullins.com/ ShawnMullins.com]
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Notable_instruments =Shawn Mullins (born
March 8 ,1968 inAtlanta, Georgia ) is a singer-songwriter who specializes infolk rock ,instrumental rock , andadult alternative music. He is best known for the 1998 single, "Lullaby," which hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for aGrammy Award .History
Mullins cultivated an interest in music beginning in his days at
Clarkston High School inClarkston, Georgia (where he made the acquaintance of friend and mentorAmy Ray of theIndigo Girls ). Later, he honed his craft in his college days atNorth Georgia College and State University as a solo acoustic musician and bandmaster of the military marching band. In dramatic contrast to his present easygoing image, Mullins has something of a martial side in his past. He attendedNorth Georgia College and State University on an ArmyROTC 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 inactiveInfantry officer in theIndividual 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 thepower 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.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 originally a poem written for his girlfriend, and she made him make it into a song. It was an instant hit, but sadly they eventually broke up. "In the video for Lullaby, directed by
Roger Pistole , actressDominique Swain appeared. Another single, "Shimmer," was included on the soundtrack for the TV show "Dawson's Creek " and was a minor hit. 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 supergroupThe Thorns withMatthew Sweet andPete Droge .He supported
John Kerry during the 2004 Presidential election campaign, playing a benefit for him in Georgia along with former SenatorMax Cleland and others.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 (surprisingly on country radio), and was featured in the popularCities 97 Sampler , Volume 18 (his second time being included on the compilation).On
March 11 ,2008 , Mullins released his second album on Vanguard entitled "Honeydew." The album was released to stores nationwide, as well asiTunes .Influences
Mullins's earlier work was influenced by acoustic and power-pop groups such as the
Violent Femmes , The Producers and theIndigo Girls . However, his most significant and enduring influences are rocksinger-songwriters likeJames Taylor and country musicians such asKris Kristofferson .His style, most notably in "Lullaby," shows significant influence from the Blue Aeroplanes.
He is known for playing many cover songs during his live performances, including "
Copperhead Road " bySteve Earle as well as introducing some lighthearted, quirky elements into his studio and stage performances.elected events
Mullins was featured on the
Triple M "Musical Challenge" segment, in which musicians performed songs which were opposite of their usual style. Mullins performedWham! 's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go ".Discography
Albums
* "
Everchanging World " (1991)
* "Better Days" (1992)
* "Big Blue Sky " (1994)
* "Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 1 " (1995)
* "Eggshells" (1996)
* "Soul's Core " (1998, Sony) US #54, Platinum
* "Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 2 " (1998)
* "First Ten Years " (1999)
* "Beneath the Velvet Sun " (2000)
* "Essential Shawn Mullins " (2003)
* "9th Ward Pickin Parlor " (2006)
* "Honeydew" (2008)Collaborations
*
Sister Hazel 's 2006 single, "Mandolin Moon".
*"Send Me" onKeni Thomas 's debut album "Flags of Our Fathers"
*His cover of theDavid Bowie song ""Changes"" is featured in the movieThe Faculty .
*His cover for theGeorge Harrison song "What Is Life " is featured in the movie "Big Daddy" during the end credits.
* "All in My Head" is featured in the "Scrubs" Soundtrack.External links
* [http://www.shawnmullins.com/ Official Shawn Mullins' web site]
* [http://www.soulscore.com Soulscore.com, the official fan site]
* [http://www.smgrecords.com/intro.html SMG Records]amples
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=016809901010006900&cid=600111 "Anchored in You"]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5i4SaPov6U "Beautiful Wreck"]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5i4SaPov6U "Blue as You"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=016809901030006900&cid=600111 "Gulf of Mexico"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=016809901020006900&cid=600111 "Lullaby"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=016809901060006900&cid=600111 "On a Rainy Night"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=016809901080006900&cid=600111 "Soul Child"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=016809901020006900&cid=600111 "Shimmer"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=065412901030006900&cid=600111 "This Time/ Last Time"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=016809901050006900&cid=600111 "Twin Rocks, Oregon"]
* [http://www.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=027098901020006900&cid=600111 "Everywhere I Go"]
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