… Read Full Bio ↴I got tired of seeing my dated bio on here, so this is how it is...
I've been immersed in music since conception. It's all I've ever been interested in. Ever. My entire family on my fathers side all play and sing and half write their own material. They don't even know how far it goes back, but they believe that during the civil war, one of our ancestors was a prisoner of war in Andersonville Confederate Prison. He played the fiddle and as the story goes, he played for the soldiers which allowed him to get enough food to stay alive.
I was raised on a tobacco farm in Taylorsville Kentucky. Looking back, it was almost a Kentucky-story-book kind of life with Country and Bluegrass music all around. But we listened to EVERYTHING, so collectively, it was as diverse as you can imagine. I worked in tobacco with my family from the age of 4 until I was 21, and, at the time, couldn't wait to get away, so that's what I did.
I moved to Louisville Kentucky in 1988 and illegally worked the night joints, due to the fact I was underage. My first STEADY music job was a solo gig at the Granville Inn on 3rd street. Three months later, I was hired by a south side Chicago native, a black dude that called himself "Tophat".
Top was a KILLER backbeat/blues/motown drummer. Funny thing is, he fronted the band with a saxaphone that he'd sqeek and sqauk around on and only played the drums when he couldn't find someone else to do it. He was one of the last "chitlin' circuit" style performers I've seen. It was like stepping back in time.
This was where I REALLY learned how to survive as a musician. This guy hustled gigs out of thin air. He'd talk his way into places that didn't hire live music. He'd book a show without even having a band put together, then go to a blues jam and round up a bunch of guys he had just met to play the gig, without any rehearsals. He'd lead the whole band through every song (showing them where to build, stop, punch, etc.) all while playing sax, singing and entertaining (even did the splits every now and then). What amazed me MOST was his abillity to always pull it off. He actually ended up hiring ME at a blues jam (and bummed a ride home that night to the other side of town). Everything he did was by the seat of his pants, but he was always a professional. He taught me the "old school" etiquette of stage and band management. He introduced me to all the black clubs and players in Louisville. My two favorite being Smoketown Red and Kush Griffin. Kush was with James Brown as one of the horny horns and Parliment in their prime. He also was responsible for introducing me to my life long friend "Portland" Johnny Hayes on the drums (bad M.F.) who played with me for most of my stint in Louisville. Johnny was also a Tophat protoge. All of this was my schooling. I owe these people a lot, but especially Top.
I eventually drifted back to my roots of bluegrass, folk and country and started an acoustic band called the Galoots. The first version was Todd Osborne and Dennis Talley. We really had a unique blend that fell into place easily. Eventually, as bands do, we drifted appart and the second inception of the band took place. Comprised of Steve Cooley, Mike Shroeder, and Larry Raley. That band ramped it into more of a moshgrass scene. That did what it did and I decided I had to go to Nashville in '98.
I did three shows at the Station Inn with the second version of the Galoots and ended up with production and publishing offers. I took the publishing, not being a fan of production "deals". Publishing led to demo, demo led to pitching songs to label for other artists to cut, pitch led to "who is this guy", "who is this guy" led to showcase, showcase to deal, and there you have it. I signed with MCA in 2000.
Later, left MCA and eventually went to Equity. Left Equity and joined MUZIKMAFIA. Since then I've gotten several cuts on other artists, writing a lot, playing a lot, producing a lot, and having fun alot. -Shannon Lawson
Slow Down Sunrise
Shannon Lawson Lyrics
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That she's here with me
Right by my side
I don't want to see
What will be the end
To a perfect night
there's other nights I know
But can't you find somewhere else to go
Slow down sunrise
I want the moonlight
To keep shining in her eyes
we've got tonight
But I need more time
To hold her tight
So slow down,
Slow down sunrise
don't take this wrong
But I've been waitin?
For this night for so, so long
Hey, none of this was planned
But now I'm beggin?
Surely you can understand
I know you have to shine
But do me a favor
Take your time
Slow down sunrise
I want the moonlight
To keep shining in her eyes
we've got tonight
But I need more time
To hold her tight
Slow down,
Slow down sunrise
Slow down sunrise
I want the moonlight
To keep shining in her eyes
we've got tonight
But I need more time
To hold her tight
Slow down,
Slow down sunrise
The lyrics of Shannon Lawson's song "Slow Down Sunrise" expresses the desire of the singer to stop time and extend a moment of intimacy with his lover, asking the sunrise to "slow down". He can hardly believe that she is with him, and he doesn't want to think about what the end of the night might bring. This moment feels perfect to him, and he wants it to last as long as possible. He recognizes that there will be other nights, but right now, he needs more time with her. The tone of the song is tender and anxious, as the singer is experiencing strong emotions of love, fear, and desire.
The song is essentially a plea to the sunrise to delay its arrival and allow for more time for the singer and his lover. It is an ode to the fleeting nature of time and the urge to hold onto moments that feel precious. The singer's desperation and sincere plea to the sunrise add a layer of emotion and vulnerability to the song.
Overall, "Slow Down Sunrise" is a romantic, soulful ballad that captures the feeling of being infatuated with someone and wanting to freeze time to keep that magic moment alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe
Expressing amazement that the person he's in love with is actually present with him.
That she's here with me
Acknowledging that the woman he loves is present and close to him.
Right by my side
Describing the proximity of his loved one to him.
I don't want to see
Acknowledging that he prefers not to think about the end of their night together.
What will be the end
Wondering about the outcome of their night together.
To a perfect night
Describing that the night has been ideal so far.
there's other nights I know
Admitting that there are other nights they could spend together.
But can't you find somewhere else to go
Asking the sunrise to delay its arrival so they can enjoy more time together.
Slow down sunrise
Begging the sunrise to not come up so fast.
I want the moonlight
Expressing his desire for the night to last.
To keep shining in her eyes
Describing that the moonlight makes his loved one more beautiful.
we've got tonight
Acknowledging that there's still a night to spend together.
But I need more time
Expressing his desire to spend more time with his loved one.
To hold her tight
Describing his desire to be physically close to his loved one.
So slow down,
Repeating his plea to the sunrise to slow down its arrival.
don't take this wrong
Prefacing his request to the sunrise with a polite and apologetic statement.
But I've been waitin?
Explaining that he's been looking forward to this night for a long time.
For this night for so, so long
Further emphasizing how long he's been waiting for this special night.
Hey, none of this was planned
Clarifying that their night together wasn't a premeditated event.
But now I'm beggin?
Stressing that he's desperate to spend more time with his loved one.
Surely you can understand
Appealing to the sunrise's sense of reason and empathy.
I know you have to shine
Acknowledging the sunrise's natural role in the world.
But do me a favor
Politely asking for a small request.
Take your time
Urging the sunrise to slow down and allow them more time together.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEL GRAY, SHANNON LAWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Darron H
on Rainy Day Whiskey
any body have the lyrics and guitar cords for rainy day whisky?