Amanda Shires

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Amanda Shires

Photo credit: Erica Shires
Background information
Birth name Amanda Shires
Born March 5th, 1982
Origin Lubbock, Texas
Genres Americana
alt-country
Occupations Singer-Songwriter
Instruments Fiddle
Years active c.1997–present
Labels Lightning Rod Records
Associated acts Jason Isbell
Todd Snider
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Rod Picott
Website http://www.amandashiresmusic.com

Amanda Shires (born March 5, 1982) is an American singer and violin player. She has performed as a member of the Texas Playboys, Thrift Store Cowboys and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, in a duo with Rod Picott, and has released four solo albums.

Early life and family

Following her parents' divorce, Shires' childhood was divided between the Texas cities of Lubbock and Mineral Wells.[1] She acquired her first violin at the age of ten from a pawn shop in Mineral Wells.[2] At the age of 15 she joined the Texas Playboys, the former backing band for Western swing legend Bob Wills.[3] She is distantly related to noted photographer Erica Shires, who produced the video for the song "Swimmer".[4]

Shires began dating fellow musician Jason Isbell in 2011. The couple got married on February 23, 2013.[5]

Musical career

Shires released her first solo album, the mostly instrumental Being Brave, in 2005. Four years later, having relocated to Nashville,[3] she released West Cross Timbers and in the same year released Sew Your Heart with Wires, a collaboration with Rod Picott. Her next solo album, Carrying Lightning was released in 2011, followed by Down Fell The Doves in August 2013.

Since 2006 she has toured extensively with Picott.[6] Additionally, she has performed and recorded with Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Devotchka, Todd Snider, and Justin Townes Earle.[7]

Awards and citations

The song "When you Need a Train It Never Comes" from Carrying Lightning was ranked the fifth best song of 2011 by American Songwriter.[8]

Appearances in other media

In 2011 she appeared in the movie Country Strong as one of the musicians backing singer Kelly Canter, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.[9]

Musical style

David Menconi of the magazine Spin said that Shires "sings [...] like an earthbound Emmylou Harris",[9] and her vocals have been likened to those of Dolly Parton.[10][11] The imagery in her songwriting has been compared to that of Tom Waits.[1][11] Although her principal instrument is the violin, she also plays the ukulele.[11]

Discography

  • Being Brave (2005)
  • West Cross Timbers (2009)
  • Sew Your Heart With Wires (2009, with Rod Picott)
  • Carrying Lightning (2011)
  • Down Fell The Doves (2013)
Other appearances

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dansby, Andrew (May 3, 2011). "Amanda Shires makes expressive connection". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  2. ↑ Cornell, Rick (September 2009). "Amanda Shires, September 2009". Country Standard Time. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Salamon, Jeff (May 2011). "Amanda Shires" (free registration required). Texas Monthly. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  4. ↑ Conway, Alanna (June 24, 2011). "Amanda Shires, ‘Swimmer’ – Video Premiere". Retrieved April 5, 2012. 
  5. ↑ Kerns, William (July 25, 2012). "Happily engaged Shires makes return appearance in hometown". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved February 25, 2013. 
  6. ↑ Cooper, Peter (July 3, 2011). "Rod Picott and Amanda Shires stay in sync as touring partners, couple". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  7. ↑ McCall, Tris (April 22, 2011). "Singer and violinist Amanda Shires to appear in Asbury Park". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  8. ↑ "American Songwriter’s Top 50 Songs Of 2011". December 13, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2012. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Menconi, David. "Amanda Shires, 'Carrying Lightning'". Spin. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  10. ↑ Caligiuri, Jim (November 25, 2011). "Amanda Shires - Music Review". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Amanda Shires, Texas Playgirl". Wall Street Journal. April 29, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2011. 

External links

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