My Story as of January, 2012
(1974-1992)
I was born in 1974 in Talahina,Oklahoma. I grew up spending a lot of time on my grandfather’s “Indian Land” (Choctaw) in Idabel, Oklahoma which is near Texarkana. That is where I saw a guitar for the first time. My grandmother played what she called “Boogie Woogie” piano and I watched many a time as a youngster. My grandfather is the hardest working man I have ever seen and along with my father and serves as a great role model for me. I am also proud of the American Indian heritage in the family.
The reason I give this background is because I believe it is
part of the reason I gravitate towards blues music. I am comfortable out in the country and blues slang is just typical of what I grew up hearing.
I moved to Dallas in 1992 to attend high school and live with my aunt and uncle. While being there I was exposed to many guitarists that I was able to observe and that helped tutor me along. Brian “Hash Brown” Calloway (an encyclopedia of blues), Mike Morgan, Tutu Jones,Andrew “Jr Boy” Jones, Jim Suhler, Homer Henderson, Pat Boyack,Holland K. Smith,Robin Syler and Anson Funderburgh.
I was also able to watch and play with some great singers as well like Sam Myers, Joe Jonas, Robert Ealey, Cricket Taylor and occasionally Johnny Taylor down at RL’S Blues Palace.
(1997-Present)
In 1997, I borrowed 3,000 from family and made my first record called ‘Blues From Dallas, Texas’. Ron Levy (formerly of Rounder Records and pianist for BB King) signed me up on Cannonball Records (now defunct) and bought the record for $5,000 and I gladly paid back my folks. It was repackaged and re released in 1998 under the title ‘Burnin’ Up’
I played the Chicago Blues Festival as a 22 year old. I also became friends with Susan Tedeschi that year and opened for her at places like The Fillmore in San Francisco and Legendary Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. I even joined up with her to play behind her on her ‘Late Night with Conan O’brien” appearance.
Ron Levy was ousted for reasons unknown and the label was in a state of disarray by my next record ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ and it was downhill for a while. I was locked in a contract and couldn’t get out. I moved to Austin in 2000 and self released a record in 2001 called ‘New King in Town’ (which the title cut landed in an episode of ‘ The Shield)’ followed by ‘Stay ’ in 2003.
I got out of the business for a while but came back in 2009. Since then I have released six albums and opened for BB KING. I just finished my 14th trip abroad to play at the Lucerne Blues Festival.
In 2011 Delta Groove Records released my ‘Edge of the World’ record which I did in my own home. I use various rhythm sections I play with around Europe and The United States.
I enjoy doing more studio work these days and am working hard on my next album.
Shawn Pittman