Shawn Mullins

Shawn Mullins

Mullins in Lawrenceville, Georgia - July 2009
Background information
Born (1968-03-08) March 8, 1968
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres Alternative rock
Country rock
Years active 1990–present
Labels Vanguard Records
Columbia Records
Associated acts The Thorns
Website ShawnMullins.com

Shawn Mullins (born March 8, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter who specializes in folk rock, instrumental rock, adult alternative, and Americana music.[1] He is best known for the 1998 single "Lullaby", which hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Early life and military career

Mullins was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He cultivated an interest in music beginning in his days at Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Georgia (where he made the acquaintance of friend and mentor Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls). Later, he honed his craft in his college days at North Georgia College and State University as a solo acoustic musician and bandmaster of the military marching band (Golden Eagle Band). He attended North Georgia College and State University on an Army ROTC 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 inactive Infantry officer in the Individual 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.

Shawn Eric Mullins with Twice Removed and solo career

Soon, he added a drummer (Mickey Hendrix) and bassist (Carlton Brown) to form the power pop trio billed as "Shawn Eric Mullins with Twice Removed", a combo that would help carry him to campus-wide and regional renown. 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.

Breakthrough and commercial success

His critical breakthrough came when his song "Lullaby", from the album Soul's Core, became a radio and video hit. In the video for "Lullaby", directed by Roger Pistole, actress Dominique Swain appeared. One of his more famous songs, "All in My Head", was featured on the hit television sitcom "Scrubs". This song was written after an e-mail was sent out by the producers of the new show searching for a theme song. Mullins wrote a demo version and sent it in within 24 hours. It wasn't selected as the theme song, but the demo version was used in a season one episode of the series.

Another single, "Shimmer", was included on the soundtrack for the TV show Dawson's Creek and was a minor hit. "Shimmer" was also used in Australia as part of its promotional campaign during the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics and is still considered in Australia as the unofficial anthem of the games. 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 supergroup The Thorns with Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge.

Vanguard Records

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 by reaching number one on the Americana and AAA (Adult Album Alternative), and was featured in the Cities 97 Sampler Volume 18.

On March 11, 2008, Mullins released his second album on Vanguard, entitled Honeydew. On October 12, 2010, Mullins released his third album on Vanguard, Light You Up.

Sugar Hill and Rounder Records

On October 23, 2015, Mullins released his new album, titled My Stupid Heart, under the newly merged Sugar Hill and Rounder Records.

Discography

Studio albums

Other albums

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)		 Album
US AUS CAN GER IRE NED SWE UK
[3]
1998 "Lullaby" 7 5 2 75 17 83 10 9 Soul's Core
"Shimmer" — 39 — — — — — —
1999 "What Is Life" — — — — — — — 62 "Big Daddy" (soundtrack)
2000 "Everywhere I Go" — — — — — — — — Beneath the Velvet Sun
2006 "Beautiful Wreck" — — — — — — — — 9th Ward Pickin Parlor
2007 "All in My Head" — — — — — — — — Honeydew
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References

  1. ↑ The Official Website for Shawn Mullins
  2. ↑ Billboard "a 1999 retrospective on Columbia..."
  3. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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