Shawn Mullins

Biography

Shawn Mullins (born March 8, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter who specializes in folk rock, instrumental rock, adult alternative, and Americana music. His 1998 single "Lullaby×Lullaby1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Lullaby (single version)4:342Lullaby (album version)5:29" 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 University of North Georgia (then known as North Georgia College) as a solo acoustic musician and bandmaster of the military marching band (Golden Eagle Band). He attended the University of North Georgia 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.

Commercial success

His critical breakthrough came when his song "Lullaby×Lullaby1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Lullaby (single version)4:342Lullaby (album version)5:29", 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. His song, "All in My Head", featured on the sitcom Scrubs, was written in response to an e-mail sent by producers of the 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×Shimmer1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Shimmer4:492Lullaby (single version)4:333Changes3:334Shimmer (acoustic version)4:59", was included on the soundtrack for Dawson's Creek and was a minor hit. "Shimmer" was also used in Australia as part of its promotional campaign during the 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 band 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×Honeydew11 March 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1All in My Head4:242Home3:073The Ballad of Kathryn Johnston3:274Homeless Joe2:425Leaving All Your Troubles Behind3:176Fraction of a Man3:147See That Train3:378For America3:169Cabbagetown5:0110Nameless Faces3:2811Song of the Self (Chapter 2)3:0812Rewind the Years5:42. On October 12, 2010, Mullins released his third album on Vanguard, Light You Up×Light You Up2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1California5:092Light You Up6:223Murphy's Song3:264No Blue Sky4:555The Ghost of Johnny Cash4:296Tinseltown3:257I Knew a Girl4:028Catoosa County3:309Make It Better3:2910Can't Remember Summer5:1411Love Will Find A Way3:23.

Sugar Hill and Rounder Records

On October 23, 2015, Mullins released his new album, titled My Stupid Heart×My Stupid Heart23 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1The Great Unknown5:042It All Comes Down to Love4:163Ferguson5:584My Stupid Heart3:275Roll on By3:586Go and Fall5:127Gambler's Heart0:048Never Gonna Let Her Go4:449Sunshine4:5510Pre-Apocalyptic Blues6:00, under Sugar Hill and Rounder Records.

Personal life

Mullins has been married and divorced three times. He has one son.

Studio albums

Better Days (1992,Sullivan Music Group)
Big Blue Sky (1994,Sullivan Music Group)
Eggshells (1996)
Soul's Core (1998, Sony) US number 54, Platinum
Beneath the Velvet Sun (2000)
9th Ward Pickin Parlor (2006)
Honeydew (2008)
Light You Up (2010)
My Stupid Heart (2015)
Soul's Core Revival (2018)

Other albums

Shawn Mullins (1990) [independent album]
Ever Changing World (1991) [independent album]
Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 1 (1995) [live album]
Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 2 (1995) [live album]
The First Ten Years (1999) [compilation album]
The Essential Shawn Mullins (2003) [compilation album]
Live From Portland Bootleg (2004) [live album]
Jeff's Last Dance, Volume 3 (2005) [live album]
Lullaby: Hits, Rarities, & Gems (2007) [compilation album]
Live at the Variety Playhouse (2008) [live album]