Susan Shann

Three Wins in the MASC (Mid-Atlantic Song Contest)!!

I was thrilled and honored to find out on Dec. 31st, 2017, that three of my songs took honors in the 2017 MASC Songwriting Contest: "Compass", co-written with my friend Robin Hackett, received "Honorable Mention" in the Pop category, "Unbroken" received "Honorable Mention" in the Gospel category, and "Stand Down" is a finalist in the Country category! How exciting isTHAT?!! Nice way to ring in the New Year!!

"Rhythm of the Road" album release and party set for Nov. 3rd, 2017!!

FINALLY!! My new album, “Rhythm of the Road”, is DONE and will be arriving soon, in both digital and physical form!! It’s a cool, mostly fun and upbeat collection of rock and pop songs hand-picked with Grammy-winning veteran producer Bil Vorndick, Bassists Byron House and Michael Rhodes lent their talents to the effort, as did guitarists Pat Bergeson, Jack Pearson, JT Corenflos and Chip Martin, Bob Mater played drums and percussion, Will Barrow played keys. I did my best to remain standing in such fine company!! My friend Rose Kightlinger did the photography and my friend Nancy Terzian did the graphics. I am blessed to know so many amazing and talented people!

Now I’ve got a BIG OL’ BIRTHDAY and CD RELEASE PARTY coming up on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, 7:30-10pm, and I want basically ALL Y’ALL to come and throw-down with me and some equally fine musical companions. I decided to hold it at CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING NASHVILLE so it would be kid-friendly. First, two FANTASTIC openers: Grammy-nominated songwriter and top-notch performer Amanda Colleen Williams will be playing a set, as will my very dear and musically awesome friends from the “Brown’s Gift Shop Revival Band”.

Then, joining me onstage that night will be my friends Andy Peake on drums, Lance Hoppen on bass, Will Barrow on keys, Eddie Henzelman and Jeff Zona on guitars, and the lovely Yvonne Smith on background vocals. It just doesn’t get any better!! It promises to be an INCREDIBLY FUN night of music and mayhem. Wear your dancing shoes, people!! Prepare to groove.

"Price on Heaven" wins first place in Musicians United song contest!

I was excited to receive word yesterday that "Price on Heaven (Song for Bristol Bay)" won first place in the Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay song contest. This is an international organization of musicians, founded in 2014 and dedicated to protecting Bristol Bay against the ongoing threat of mining companies who want to lift protections on this highly ecologically sensitive area, which is home to one of the world's largest remaining salmon runs, in order to mine for gold, copper and other minerals. We must not allow this to happen. This song is a call to stop the reckless destruction of these wild places for short-term profit, and to stop putting a price on what is sacred and beyond any measurable value.

Check out the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLYv9Gfipxk

Album, shows, other stuff...

Still hoping to complete album, now by about mid-June. Life and financial matters intervene, but we press on!! Just need to complete mixing, mastering, graphics, duplication (oh, is that all?). Meanwhile, played a lovely service at MCCSL (Music City Center for Spiritual Living) on Easter, and continuing to play when / where I'm able, given my schedule, including frequent Thursdays at The Old School (farm / bar / restaurant in Nashville). Looking forward to SERFA (Southeast Regional Folk Alliance) in May. Gearing up to be a chant leader at the March for Science and Climate here in Nashville this coming Sat., despite predictions of rain. And so it goes...

"Final Word" being released as a single!

As of Feb. 1st, "Final Word", with a timely message about our need to come together as a nation, inspired by a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, will be available for purchase here, as well as on iTunes and CDBaby. Check it out!

Album progress and other news...

The album has been moving along well. Basic tracks (rhythm guitar, bass, drums, keys) for all twelve songs have been completed, with some truly fabulous musicians. Bil Vorndick, my producer, and I are both busy, but finding blocks of time to work on vocals, with 9 songs completed and three more to go. He's out of town this week, but we'll resume again soon. Guitar overdubs will be next. It's exciting to see this take shape, and I love that Bil demands the best from me, and from these songs, and doesn't allow anything to be just "okay". It forces me to grow and think even more deeply about my own lyrics, my intention and delivery with each line. What a great learning process!
Meanwhile, I'm playing an hour set of originals at Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor in Franklin, TN next Monday, Oct 3rd, 8-9pm with my awesome friend Ben Williams for "Make it Blue Monday", a Williamson County Democratic fundraiser. Can't wait to share some music with the good people there! Come out and join us if you're in the area...

"Price on Heaven" wins 2nd place in Environmental Song Contest

I was very happy and honored to discover that my song, "Price on Heaven (Song for Bristol Bay)", written on behalf of "Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay" to raise awareness about the threat posed by mining companies to one of the world's largest natural salmon fisheries, recently won 2nd place in the Connecticut Songwriter's Association's Environmental Song Contest! See details here:

http://www.ctsongs.com/EnviroSongContest-Winners2016.htm

Also, huge thanks and gratitude to all who helped with my "Indiegogo" album campaign, which raised over $6500 in 30 days to help me complete this new album and get to share it with all of YOU!! What a blessing.

Sue's Indiegogo Campaign

Here's the link to my "Indiegogo" fundraising campaign. It isn’t fancy, just simple. But it’s real, and it’s incredibly important to me. I know I’m surrounded by amazing talent and amazingly creative spirits, so I humbly ask my friends for your help in making this album, and allowing me to raise my voice in the chorus of good and beautiful this life can be, through music that celebrates these things. Maybe you can share this with others too?

Thanks and peace,

Susan Shann

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/susan-shann-s-new-album--2/x/14576095#/

Today's the day!!

I finally got my Indiegogo album campaign together. When I saw how professional the "pitch" videos were for some other artists' campaigns, I almost had an anxiety attack! But I pulled it together, got a little help with basic editing from a great friend, and got my simple, home-made video up there. Now it's in the hands of a higher power. I've had more amazing help and serendipity than I can even explain to this point, so I'm just gonna trust and let go. I know this project will come together. Keeping faith and moving forward...

Another day in the life

We're getting ready for a brief trip to NC, well-deserved RnR, and a chance to see some friends. Been working a lot... there's not always enough time and energy for a serious music session. But I've learned to write in my head when working, and save ideas in my phone. Then I find little snippets of time in the morning or evening just to pick up the guitar and run through something. Every little bit counts. Just gotta keep believing and moving forward, do a little something every day. Hoping to get the fundraiser going as soon as we return.