Shane O’Dazier is not your average Nashville recording artist, and his story of getting there is hardly typical either. He wasn’t singing at the tender age of 3 and writing songs by age 7, as many artists claim to have done. In fact, if you went to high school with him, you probably had no idea he even could sing. Where most artists had music, Shane had sports. And where they played a guitar, Shane played football.
There simply was no room for music in his life until August 24, 1994. That’s when he and one of his close friends were nearly killed in a car crash. Shattering his ankle, Shane never played football again. While his physical injuries would heal over the next year, his emotional scars proved to be more difficult. For this, he turned to music and bought a guitar.
Over the next four years, he honed his musical skills while attaining a forestry degree from Auburn University. Upon graduation, he tried the “working world” back in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. He soon realized that wasn’t going to be enough. So after some positive meetings with a few producers and publishers in Nashville, he knew he had to make the move to the Music City.
Upon his arrival into town, Shane wrote songs and spent the next couple of years networking at various writers’ nights. Then, while playing at the legendary Bluebird Cafe, Shane was “discovered” by songwriting veteran, Jeff Pearson. For 17 years, Pearson has hosted writers’ night for up and coming talent. He has seen the likes of Faith Hill, Deana Carter, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks all come through and play the same stage. After Shane’s performance, Jeff struck up a conversation and was shocked to find out he was unsigned. The next day, the two set up appointments to visit with several record labels.
Liking what they heard, the labels asked to see Shane play live. One problem: He didn’t have a band. As he scrambled to put something together, many of the record executives he visited were ousted in favor of new management, and his momentum stalled.
In the long run, the frustration of watching momentum come and go actually served him well, as he wrote a new crop of songs including “I Hate This Town.” Despite the setback, he remained determined, and found a booking agent, a band and started touring. The next few years proved invaluable to Shane as he developed a following in college towns all across the South, performing in front of thousands.
Just as his crowds grew, so did the buzz about what he was doing every night in these college towns. With his newfound success, Shane was no longer searching for a label. He learned how to do it on his own. And, of course, that is exactly when he was approached by record label Robbins Nashville. After discussing plans and goals, Shane and Robbins inked a record deal and his first single, “I Hate This Town,” is due for release later this year.
To this day, Shane continues to perform in more towns with larger crowds than ever. With his smooth, deep-voiced delivery of radio friendly melodies, there really is no wonder that this small town Alabama kid has traded his title of self-made singer/songwriter for Robbins Nashville recording artist.
