Shannon McNally was born and raised on Long Island, New York but has spent most of her adult life traveling and living all over North America. After graduating college with a degree in Religious Anthropology she followed Los Lobos out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. She quickly signed with Perry Watts-Russell to Capitol Records/ EMI.
Rolling Stone Magazine gave her debut album released in January of 2002, Jukebox Sparrows (Capitol Records), 3 1/2 stars. Jukebox Sparrows also spawned the AAA radio hit “Now That I Know,” which appeared on the ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ soundtrack. She teamed up with Ryan Adams’ sideman Neal Casal around the same time for a collabrative project called ‘Ran On Pure Lightening’. Her song “Pale Moon” from was picked up by Putamayo Records as the first track on their American Folk Album.
In 2000 she moved to New Orleans. ‘The city summoned me. It called me into it’s depths and it devoured me’. It was here that her writing’s innate earthy-end-of-the-world-defiance took on a weight and pathos which ultimately defined the mood and message of her 2005 release ‘Geronimo’ on Back Porch Records (EMI). Produced by Charlie Sexton, the record got a lot of strong support at AAA radio and on Satelite Radio. McNally toured extensively behind it from 2005-2007, doing national tours with a band and as a solo performer. During this time she also recorded a live record called ‘North American Ghost Music’ as well as a second album with long time friend and producer Charlie Sexton called ‘South Side Sessions’.
Unable to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina Shannon settled into North Mississippi with her husband and daughter. Her newest project is called ‘Coldwater’. It was recorded with Jim Dickinson at his Zebra Ranch Studio just before his passing. The record features Shannon’s regular touring band called Hot Sauce; they are Jake Fussell, Eric Deaton and Wallace Lester.
McNally has toured and done shows with Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, John Mellencamp, Charlie Sexton, Son Volt, Ryan Adams, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Derek Trucks, Rail Road Earth, Rufus Wainwright, Levon Helm and Lou Reed. She has appeared on NPR, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Mountain Stage and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Her voice has appeared on recordings by Jim Dickinson, Mac Rebennack, John Hiatt, Rufus Wainwright, Hal Wilner, Wardell Quezergue and Son Volt among others.
by Z.Z. Bubbala
Discography:
Bolder Than Paradise Capitol Records 2000
Jukebox Sparrows Capitol Records, 2002
Ran On Pure Lightening Morebarn Records/ CD Baby 2002
Run For Cover CD Baby 2004
Geronimo Back Porch/Narada Records 2005
North American Ghost Music Live Back Porch Records 2006
South Side Sessions Back Porch/ Narada Records 2006
Coldwater CD Baby 2009
“McNally's sound bears a timelessness that's truly uncommon [she] projects tenderness and toughness in ways that are remarkable and unequaled.”
— Jim Caligiuiri, The Austin Chronicle
“Her angelic shiver-sending drawl gives the music its hurt, its hate and, most importantly its heart. McNally gives the gift of believability to all she sings.”
— Mike Bell, The Calgary Sun
“She has the voice: bruised, smoky and ornery, right at home where country and soul meet She has the melodies and the timing she's irresistible.”
— Jon Pareles, The New York Times
ShannonMcNally.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shannonmcnally2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paxidcBE_kw
Booking:Liz@mayapplerecords.com 417 866 0631
Facebook.com/ShannonMcNallyMusic
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The Southside Sessions EP.North American Ghost Music Live
GeronimoNapster Live July 2005
See MORE HERE at Shannon's Website: www.ShannonMcNally.com.
