Shannon McNally

  • Hempstead, NY
    hometown
  • Blues/Folk
    genre
  • 2000
    started
  • Bio
    full story
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About Shannon McNally


With her earthy, bluesy voice and fresh, unbridled approach to songwriting, Shannon McNally carries the great blues and blues-rock tradition on to new generations of fans who already appreciate bands like the North Mississippi All Stars, Warren Haynes, and others who have gained footholds on the jam band and blues festival circuit -- and turning jam band fans into blues fans can't be a bad thing. McNally has guested on albums by John Hiatt, Dr. John, Neal Casal, Jason Crosby, Dave Alvin, Charlie Sexton, and others of the bluesy and roots rock ilk.

Strongly influenced by the folk-blues in her parents' record collection as she was growing up on Long Island, McNally has taken her music way beyond that, to include soul-jazz and electric blues-rock. She began singing songs at home with her guitar-playing father and dug deep into the well of his record collection, listening to recordings by Bob Dylan, Leadbelly, Nina Simone, the Band, Emmylou Harris, and PJ Harvey. She majored in anthropology in college and began her performing career there and at small coffeehouses around Long Island, and also spent time busking in Paris during her college years.

Executives at a small music publishing company called McNally's considerable talents as a rootsy singer/songwriter to the attention of executives at Capitol Records, which in turn led to her critically praised debut, Jukebox Sparrows, in 2002. On the album, she's accompanied by some studio veterans including Jim Keltner, James Gadson, and Greg Leisz. The fact that her debut had major-label distribution, and promotional and marketing punch behind it, helped McNally make a bigger splash on the roots music scene than she likely would have with an independent label. In addition to 2002's Jukebox Sparrows on Capitol, McNally's releases during the 2000s include Geronimo for Backporch/EMI Records in 2005 and Coldwater (as Shannon McNally & Hot Sauce) in 2009. Fans seeking more of her 2000s output can also search for less-easily available releases on major and independent labels, including Run for Cover, North American Ghost Music, and Ran on Pure Lightning, a duet album with Neal Casal.

After spending considerable time in a New York City apartment, McNally moved to New Orleans in 2005. Being down South year-round gave her more inspiration, and she continued writing songs and performing in a wide variety of settings with a wide variety of performers, including the roots rock band Son Volt. She later moved to Mississippi. After taking a couple of years off for the birth of her first child, she returned to touring in 2009 with Dave Alvin (ex-Blasters) and the Guilty Women. McNally returned to the shelves with the release of Coldwater (featuring her band Hot Sauce) and Jazz Fest 2007 (documenting her triumphant performance at the New Orleans Jazz Fest that year); both were released in 2010. In early 2011, McNally issued the stellar Western Ballad (on her Sacred Sumac imprint), which continued to reflect the influences of traditional folk, classic blues, blues-rock, and country. ~ Richard J. Skelly, Rovi

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Music

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  • Small Town Talk
    shannon-mcnally
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    Small Town Talk
  • 16193
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    • Lovin' In My Baby'S Eyes
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/9/0/7/9/111197093.mp3
    • The Worst Part Of A Broken Heart
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/4/2/2/0/8/258580224.mp3
    • This Ain't My Home
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/4/1/7/7/242977146.mp3
    • Now That I Know
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/1/6/2/9/5/109659261.mp3
    • Bitter Blue
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/1/1/9/4/2/110324911.mp3
    • Bolder Than Paradise
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/0/4/6/3/9/109393640.mp3

Photos

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  • Shannon McNally

News

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  • Shannon McNally
    Shannon McNally Spreads the Secret of “Small Town Talk”
    CMT Edge
    June 17, 2013
    Shannon McNally ’s soulful vocals are such a match for Bobby Charles ’ rich songwriting, her new album, Small Town Talk , never feels like a stodgy ...
    Read More
  • Shannon McNally
    North Mississippi Allstars, Shannon McNally, Cedric Burnside Project and DuWayne Burnside Confirmed for Hill Country Picnic
    www.jambands.com
    Picnic. The annual celebration of hill country blues music will take place in Potts Camp, MS on June 24 and 25. Other acts scheduled to appear include...
    Read More
  • Shannon McNally
    Amy LaVere & Shannon McNally, Chasing the Ghost - Rehearsal Sessions
    American Songwriter
    Amy LaVere & Shannon McNally Chasing the Ghost -Rehearsal Sessions (Archer) Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars You can trace this match made in roots singer/s...
    Read More
  • Shannon McNally
    Derek Trucks, Dr. John and Others Will Join Shannon McNally For Her Bobby Charles Tribute
    www.jambands.com
    Shannon McNally will release an album of 11 Bobby Charles covers called Small Town Talk on April 30. Charles is famous for hits he wrote for performer...
    Read More
  • Shannon McNally
    Shannon McNally, Tea Leaf Green to Play Terrapin Crossroads
    www.jambands.com
    Terrapin Crossroads has announced upcoming shows from Shannon McNally and Tea Leaf Green. McNally will perform at the venue on July 17, while Tea Leaf...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Jun 23 Sunday
    Oklahoma City, OK, US The Blue Door
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 6 Saturday
    Jackson Hole, WY, US Pink Garter Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 9 Tuesday
    Portland, OR, US Mississippi Studios
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Discography

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  • Small Town Talk (2013)
    Shannon McNally
    Small Town Talk (2013)
    Sacred Sumac Records
  • Western Ballad (2011)
    Shannon McNally
    Western Ballad (2011)
    Sacred Sumac Records
  • Coldwater (2009)
    Shannon McNally
    Coldwater (2009)
    z
  • Jazz Fest 2007 (2007)
    Shannon McNally
    Jazz Fest 2007 (2007)
    MunckMix
  • North American Ghost Music (2006)
    Shannon McNally
    North American Ghost Music (2006)
    Narada
  • Geronimo (2005)
    Shannon McNally
    Geronimo (2005)
    Back Porch Music
  • Run for Cover (2004)
    Shannon McNally
    Run for Cover (2004)
    Tail Feather
  • Jukebox Sparrows (2002)
    Shannon McNally
    Jukebox Sparrows (2002)
    Capitol/EMI Records
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