Shawn Mullins

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Shawn Mullins

| image = Shawn Mullins (cropped).JPG

| image_size =

| caption = Mullins in Lawrenceville, Georgia - July 2009

| background = solo_singer

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|3|8}}

| birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

| genre = Alternative rock, country rock

| years_active = 1990–present

| label = Vanguard Records
Columbia Records

| past_member_of = The Thorns

| associated_acts = The Thorns

| website = {{URL|www.shawnmullins.com|ShawnMullins.com}}

}}

Shawn Mullins (born March 8, 1968){{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/shawn-mullins|title=Shawn Mullins facts, information, pictures - Encyclopedia.com articles about Shawn Mullins|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=25 August 2017}} is an American singer-songwriter who specializes in folk rock, instrumental rock, adult alternative, and Americana music.{{cite web|url=http://www.shawnmullins.com/|title=Shawn Mullins|website=www.shawnmullins.com|access-date=25 August 2017}} His 1998 single "Lullaby", hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/shawn-mullins-mn0000013583/biography|title=Shawn Mullins - Biography & History - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}

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).{{cite web|url=http://www.harborcountry-news.com/features/shawn-mullins-to-bring-honest-sound-and-the-hit-to/article_48bb1f43-f45f-5c1a-9976-868f397bfc78.html|title=Shawn Mullins to bring honest sound and 'the hit' to The Acorn|website=harborcountry-news.com|access-date=25 August 2017}} 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.

Career

=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", 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/honeydew-mw0000501535|title=Honeydew - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}} 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", 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.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-thorns-mn0000477750/biography|title=The Thorns - Biography & History - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}

=Vanguard Records=

In 2006, Mullins released his first album on new label Vanguard Records, 9th Ward Pickin Parlor,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/9th-ward-pickin-parlor-mw0000532449|title=9th Ward Pickin' Parlor - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/shawn-mullins-honeydew/|title=Shawn Mullins: Honeydew|website=popmatters.com|access-date=25 August 2017}} On October 12, 2010, Mullins released his third album on Vanguard, Light You Up.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/light-you-up-mw0002029802|title=Light You Up - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}

=Sugar Hill and Rounder Records=

On October 23, 2015, Mullins released his new album, titled My Stupid Heart, under Sugar Hill and Rounder Records.

Personal life

Mullins has been married and divorced three times.{{cite news |last1=Spevak |first1=Jeff |title=Looking through Shawn Mullins' Southern lens |url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/lifestyle/columnist/spevak/2016/04/05/looking-through-shawn-mullins-southern-lens/82619172/ |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |date=April 5, 2016}} He has one son.{{cite news |last1=Ruggieri |first1=Melissa |title=Singer Shawn Mullins looks to balance fatherhood, career |url=https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/music/singer-shawn-mullins-looks-balance-fatherhood-career/1P3W1PsygnEg1xSq4MgBdP/ |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=October 11, 2010 |language=English}}

Discography

=Studio albums=

Better Days (1992){{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/better-days-mw0001039602|title=Better Days - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}
Big Blue Sky (1994){{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/big-blue-sky-mw0000892068|title=Big Blue Sky - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}
Eggshells (1996){{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/eggshells-mw0000013116|title=Eggshells - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}
Soul's Core (1998, Sony){{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shawnmullins/albums/album/246377/review/5941940/souls_core|title=Shawn Mullins: Soul's Core : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=1 October 2007|access-date=25 August 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001223323/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shawnmullins/albums/album/246377/review/5941940/souls_core|archive-date=1 October 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/souls-core-mw0000043720|title=Soul's Core - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}} US number 54, Platinum
Beneath the Velvet Sun (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/beneath-the-velvet-sun-mw0000099215|title=Beneath the Velvet Sun - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}
9th Ward Pickin Parlor (2006){{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shawnmullins/albums/album/8878630/review/9514717/9th_ward_pickin_parlor|title=Shawn Mullins: 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=3 May 2008|access-date=25 August 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503203619/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/shawnmullins/albums/album/8878630/review/9514717/9th_ward_pickin_parlor|archive-date=3 May 2008}}
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][https://books.google.com/books?id=zxEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19 Billboard] "a 1999 retrospective on Columbia..."{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-first-ten-years-mw0000671166|title=The First Ten Years - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}
The Essential Shawn Mullins (2003) [compilation album]{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-essential-shawn-mullins-mw0000023512|title=The Essential Shawn Mullins - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}
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]{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-variety-playhouse-mw0000801186|title=Live at the Variety Playhouse - Shawn Mullins - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 August 2017}}

=Singles=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2" \| Year ! rowspan="2" \| Single ! colspan="9" \| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" \| Certifications ! rowspan="2" \| Album
style="font-size:smaller;" ! width="35" \| US {{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shawn-mullins/chart-history/hsi/\|title=Shawn Mullins Chart History - Hot 100\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=August 19, 2018}} ! width="35" \| US AAA {{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shawn-mullins/chart-history/aaa/\|title=Shawn Mullins Chart History - Triple A Songs\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=August 19, 2018}} ! width="35" \| AUS Peaks in Australia: "Lullaby" and "Shimmer": {{cite web\|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Shawn+Mullins\|title=Discography Shawn Mullins\|website=australian-charts.com\|access-date=October 21, 2021}} "What Is Life": {{cite Ryan\|page=196}} ! width="35" \| CAN ! width="35" \| GER ! width="35" \| IRE ! width="35" \| NED ! width="35" \| SWE ! width="35" \| UK {{cite book\|first=David\|last=Roberts\|year=2006\|title=British Hit Singles & Albums\|edition=19th\|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited\|location=London\|isbn=1-904994-10-5}}
rowspan="2"\| 1998 \| align="left"\| "Lullaby" \| 7 \| 1 \| 5 \| 2 \| 75 \| 17 \| 83 \| 10 \| 9 \| ARIA: Platinum{{cite certification\|region=Australia\|certyear=1999\|access-date=September 5, 2022}} \| align="left" rowspan="2"\| Soul's Core
align="left"\| "Shimmer" \| — \| 5 \| 39 \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \|
1999 \| align="left"\| "What Is Life" \| — \| — \| 62 \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| 62 \| \| align="left"\| Big Daddy: Music from the Motion Picture
2000 \| align="left"\| "Everywhere I Go" \| — \| 3 \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| \| align="left"\| Beneath the Velvet Sun
2006 \| align="left"\| "Beautiful Wreck" \| — \| 2 \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| \| align="left"\| 9th Ward Pickin Parlor
2007 \| align="left"\| "All in My Head" \| — \| 16 \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| \| align="left"\| Honeydew
2010 \| align="left"\| "Light You Up" \| — \| 3 \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| — \| \| align="left"\| Light You Up
colspan="13" style="font-size:8pt"\| "—" denotes releases that did not chart

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

rowspan="2" | Year

! rowspan="2" | Single

! colspan="9" | Peak chart positions

! rowspan="2" | Certifications

! rowspan="2" | Album

style="font-size:smaller;"

! width="35" | US
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shawn-mullins/chart-history/hsi/|title=Shawn Mullins Chart History - Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 19, 2018}}

! width="35" | US
AAA
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shawn-mullins/chart-history/aaa/|title=Shawn Mullins Chart History - Triple A Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 19, 2018}}

! width="35" | AUS
Peaks in Australia:

"Lullaby" and "Shimmer": {{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Shawn+Mullins|title=Discography Shawn Mullins|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=October 21, 2021}}
"What Is Life": {{cite Ryan|page=196}}

! width="35" | CAN

! width="35" | GER

! width="35" | IRE

! width="35" | NED

! width="35" | SWE

! width="35" | UK
{{cite book|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2006|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|edition=19th|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|location=London|isbn=1-904994-10-5}}

rowspan="2"| 1998

| align="left"| "Lullaby"

| 7

| 1

| 5

| 2

| 75

| 17

| 83

| 10

| 9