SHAWN PITTMAN (USA)
Shawn Pittman grew up with music all around him. His grandmother loved to play the boogie-woogie piano at family gatherings. Shawn’s mother must have seen something in him before he discovered what would be his life’s passion, his mother signed him up to take piano lessons at a young age. It wasn’t long until young Shawn was sneaking into his older brother’s room to play on his drum kit. By age fourteen, Shawn had a guitar in his hands. His discovery of Lightin Hopkins and Muddy Waters set the stage for Shawn’s musical journey.
He was born into his native roots of the Choctaw nation in Talihina, Oklahoma. Pittman later found his musical roots in Texas Blues when he moved to the state at the age of seventeen to attend the Booker T. Washington High School of the Performing Arts in Dallas. He expanded his music education courtesy of his uncle who would take him to local jams around town. This is how Shawn first met and learned from musicians like Hashbrown, Sam Myers, Mike Morgan, Jim Suhler, Tutu Jones, and many others.
Pittman recorded his first album in 1996. That album, Burnin’ Up, was released on Cannonball Records the following year. Throughout his career, Shawn has released 15 albums of original songs and a few covers featuring some of his favorite influences. As a songwriter and performer, Shawn is constantly composing and releasing new material.
Shawn begin his musical journey sharing the stage with local musicians in Dallas nightclubs and graduating to touring in the U.S and Europe. He has shared the stage with people such as Sugar Ray Rayford, Shamekia Copeland, Susan Tedeschi, Hubert Sumlin, Joe Louis Walker, Kim Wilson, James Cotton, Pine Top Perkins, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Kidd Ramos, Kirk Fletcher, Lou Ann Barton, Tab Benoit, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and many others.
When asked who his favorite person to open for, Pittman replied, “It was awesome opening for B.B. King, it was a dream come true”. Shawn went on to share, “The weeks before opening for B.B. I thought about what question I would ask him, if I got the chance. Well I did get that change, so I asked him his secret for longevity.” B.B. King answered Shawn by saying, “Treat people how you want to be treated, and remember everybody has a boss.”
In Spring 2022, Pittman toured Europe with Anson Funderburgh and Mike Morgan as part of the Texas Blues Guitar Summit. The power group continues to perform shows in the U.S. and abroad.
Shawn’s latest album “Hard Road,” was released in Fall of 2022. It was recorded as a live in-studio album in Austin, Texas with his current touring trio. The album and live show present a unique sound of a traditional trio mingled with the unexpected two guitar and drums presentation on selected tracks. Don’t worry this isn’t a three-piece band asking for more depth; this is a trio demanding a double take. Shawn’s fiery guitar solos and soulful vocals are backed by the intense groove of vintage bass and drums. This house-rockin’ trio leaves audiences mesmerized and wanting more.
RECORDING HISTORY:
Shawn’s first album, Blues From Dallas, was recorded in 1996 and later picked up and retooled for his national debut in 1997 as Burnin’ Up on the Cannonball Records label. In 1998 the second album on Cannonball Records, Something’s Gotta Give was produced by Jim Gaines,
Pittman toured as rhythm guitarist for Susan Tedeschi in 1999, and made a television appearance with her on the Conan O’Brian Show. The following year he relocated to Austin Texas and recorded his third album, Full Circle backed by the famous rhythm section, Double Trouble.
Shawn begin touring Europe in 2001 and maintained a consistent European touring schedule for the next several years as his fan base grew.
In 2004, an experimental album titled Stay was released. This album featured more rock sounds than previously showcased.
Shawn released several albums between 2008 and 2012. Titles released in the United States included: Meridian, Undeniable, and Edge of The World (on Delta Groove label). Albums released in Italy in, on Feeling Good Records, during this time frame included: Too Hot, Movin’ and Grovin‘, Shawn Pittman with The Moeller Brothers.
The 2012 Edge Of The World marked Shawn Pittman’s tenth release. He played every instrument, with the expectation of saxophone. Performing and playing everything from vocals and guitar, to bass, drums, and piano, on top of doubling as the album’s producer and engineer, Pittman served up all his musical talent in a multi-track, one-man (almost) album. When asked to comment about the inspiration behind his latest and most ambitious project, Pittman stated, “I’m just playing the music I want to hear!”
In 201, Pittman recorded his 12th album, Everybody Wants to Know with longtime friend and drummer Jay Moeller.
In the Spring of 2020, Shawn recorded Make It Right in partnership with Netherlands-based Continental Record Services. In 2021 and in adaptation to the pandemic, he expanded his repertoire to include solo acoustic music and released Stompin Solo his first all-acoustic album. This album was also released and distributed by Continental Records in the Netherlands.
Shawn’s latest album “Hard Road,” was released in Fall of 2022. It was recorded as a live in-studio album in Austin, Texas with his current touring trio. The album and live show present a unique sound of a traditional trio mingled with the unexpected two guitar and drums presentation on selected tracks. Don’t worry this isn’t a three-piece band asking for more depth; this is a trio demanding a double take.