Shawn's Story
Shawn was born in Talahina, Oklahoma on October 13th,1974. He was raised in the Norman area just outside of Oklahoma City."The first music I remember hearing was my Grandmother playing boogie piano,my dad's eight track tapes of Buddy Holly and my Mom's old 45's."
When he was a teenager he was turned on to Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, Lightnin'Hopkins, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker."I started to listen to Anson Funderburgh,the Vaughan Bros, and Mike Morgan.I knew that I had to get to Texas if I wanted to be able to play that style."
At age seventeen Pittman moved to Dallas with his aunt and uncle. " I started to learn from players like Tutu Jones,Hash Brown,Mike Morgan,Robin Syler,Paul Size,and Johnny Moeller." He played as a sideman with Cricket Taylor, Cold Blue Steel, Lou Hampton, The Bramhall Brothers,Mike Morgan, Hash Brown,Jim Suhler,Robert Ealey and U.P. Wilson.
In 1997 he released his first record which was immediately picked up by the newly formed Cannonball Records. Shawn put out two CD'S on that label: 'Burnin' Up' and 'Somethings Gotta Give.'As a 23 year old Shawn played The Chicago Blues Festival in 1998. "Later that night I jammed with Matt 'Guitar' Murphy at 'Legend's'.. It was alot of fun", recalls Pittman. 1998 Shawn also opened several shows for Susan Tedeschi where Pittman received standing ovations at each venue.(Including an ENCORE AS AN OPENING ACT AT THE FILLMORE!)Pittman also backed Susan in her band for a few months. The most noteable show was the 'Late Night with Conan O'brien'appearance.
After the summer of 1999 Pittman migrated down to Austin where he has resided ever since.In 2001 Released his third album 'Full Circle' which featured the likes of Double Trouble,The Moeller Bros. and Preston Hubbard.
The Late Clifford Antone was a big advocate for Shawn in 2005 by placing him with musicians such as Hubert Sumlin, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith,Calvin Jones,Pinetop Perkins and James Cotton. "I actually got to sing and play a whole set with James Cotton at The Antones Anniversary... it was an honor to sing all those Muddy Waters songs while he played harp."
Shawn recorded his fifth release 'Meridian' in July, 2008 after being out of music completely for two years. Armed with a new focus and direction Shawn showcased his brand of 'no nonsense' blues and Rock n' Roll."To me... Chuck Berry is Rock 'n' Roll". Also, in 2008 Pittman opened for BB. King at The House of Blues in Houston for two nights."One day I think I am done with music and the next thing I know I'm back and opening for BB. King!" 2008 brought about 258 shows.
Shawn's efforts did not go unnoticed by Feeling Good Productions, an agency owned by Tano Ro based out of Milan,Italy. Feeling Good Productions released a compilation of Pittman's first four albums 'Moovin and Groovin' (from '99-'05)and received critical acclaim by many (reached the 'REAL BLUES'#17 of the top 100 releases of 2009). This of course led to Shawn's 10th trip across the pond in November of '09. On the only day off of the tour Pittman and the band went into a studio in Italy and knocked out 15 songs! That CD ('Too Hot') is now available for 2010 as his seventh release.
But Pittman isn't done yet. He's just getting started. Before leaving for Europe this gunslinger finished the recording of his 2010 U.S.A. release 'Undeniable'. That makes 8 albums for this 35 yr old bluesman. The reason for the title (Undeniable) according to Pittman: "It's simple... when you hear this record you can't deny the fact that it's fundamentally sound, good blues....I don't use any pedals,I get my tone from my fingers, guitar and amp... ...I write and sing my own songs...I am just playing the music I want to hear." Shawn will be going to Europe in the summer of 2010 for 10 weeks. Until then he will be playing all over Texas and more.