Shane Cooley is a 20 year old acoustic rock singer/songwriter. Within five years Shane has performed his library of over 150 original songs from large festivals attracting 75,000 people, to intimate venues, up and down the East Coast. Tracks from his CD's are played on XM Satellite Radio.
Producers/musicians Stewart Myers and Chris Keup ( Lifehouse, Jason Mraz), who recently recorded Shane, said, "Shane Cooley writes strong songs with nice hooks and is very dedicated to his career."
National producer/recording artist Steve Bassett said: "His positive outlook and drive will take him where he wants to go. When you see him perform, you'll see what I mean."
Shane recently filmed two music videos in New York City for Indigo Interactive TV in Manhattan. While in New York, Shane also mastered his 9th CD, Flying Naked with audio guru Fred Kevorkian (Dave Matthews Band, The White Stripes) at Avatar Studios.
XM Radio Unsigned
Don't forget to send in a request to XM Radio Unsigned for my song "Me, Myself and You." All you have to do is send an email to unsigned@xmradio.com . Under the subject put Song Request and request Shane Cooley: "Me, Myself and You." You don't have to have XM to request it. I am one of the 12 weekly "Futures" for XM Unsigned out of the over 500 press kits recieved as an artist "gaing momentum every day." Thanks!
Steve Bassett on Shane Cooley
"I met Shane Cooley a couple years back," Bassett said. "I've followed his progress as a singer-songwriter since then, and I think he's going places. He is an artist committed to his craft and his positive outlook and drive will take him where he wants to go. When you see him perform, you'll see what I mean. It is my pleasure to have produced his latest solo album."
~Steve Bassett
New SC CD released soon!
Shane's new CD will be released late November or December! The CD was produced by Stewart Myers and Chris Keup (Jason Mraz, Lifehouse) and includes professional musicians:
-Stewart Myers: bass (Lifehouse)
-Steve Bassett: B-3 (Delbert McClinton)
-Brian Jones: drums (Jason Mraz)
-Daniel Clarke: keyboards (Modern Groove Syndicate)
The CD was recorded by Stewart Myers and will be mastered in New York City. Stay tuned for updates!
Dreams and Aspirations
Hey everybody! Right now I'd like to talk to you about dreams and aspirations (check out my song "Dreams and Aspirations" on Me, Myself and You and a new version on my upcoming CD.........shameless plug, lol). The first and foremost thing you should know about me is that I'm a nice guy, but just as importantly you should know that music is a true passion to me. Music is my career, and I intend to be as sucessful as I possibly can. I guess the best way to explain my drive to get my music out there is to tell you where I came from. Ever since my childhood days I have wanted to be something out of the ordinary. Even before I wanted to be a singer/songwriter I would pretend I was the president or a superhero, like most kids that age. The difference with me was that I didn't just want to be the president, I wanted to be the best president this country had ever seen. Even when I pretended to be a pirate I was the most feared and revered pirate to ever sail the seven seas....arrgh! During these days of innocence I was always a lover of music as well. I would listen to my father play with his band in the garage from my room at night and I would dance with my mom to "Passionate Kisses" by Mary Chapin Carpenter on the radio (I still can't dance for anything). As I grew I became enamored with writing, art and poetry and at a time I wanted to be a novelist. However, I still wanted to be something out of the ordinary, and as I wrote in a poem entitled "The Power of Imagination" in the 6th grade, "I was not put here for anything of the normal variety," and "I want to make a difference, a difference that will change the world." It wasn't until my early teens that I realized my calling. With music and songwriting I could combine poetry, art and stories all into one. I also learned later the athleticism of performing, lol (I've jumped off my share of stages). More importantly though, I realized that I could write songs as messages to the world, so I decided to always promote positive ways in my songs. These messages were sent and received, and I am floored at the difference my music has made in people's lives. Ever since this music train's been a rollin'! Of course, I didn't just start playing live at Red Rocks (still working on that, lol) as soon as I started. I come from a small, rural area that predominately digs country and never heard anything louder than "Achy Breaky Heart," so I had a rough start. Despite the obstacles, I never gave up, and therefore I always came through. As my good friend, recent producer, and B-3 player on my new CD Steve Bassett once told me, "I'm glad to know someone who can turn 'up the creek without a paddle' into an opportunity to pass their music on." Thus, managing to convert a few of the local "Northern Neckers" along the way I've embarked on a warpath to the bigtime. However, I never ignore the chance to help others along the way, musically and philanthropically, which may be why I have come this far. I'm not a cutthroat, self-centered businessman (though I'm no pushover either), and I'm nice to everybody. I'm honest, I'm moralistic, and I'm the real deal. That's something that I will never give up for all the record deals in the world. So, I continue to climb with every song I write and every gig I play, slowly towards whatever destiny awaits me. I have my guitar in hand, my songs in my head, and my heart and soul waiting to be revealed to you. I strongly encourage you to hold on to your dreams, and to never, ever let the world stop you. If you want to look back when your time is due and say "Hey, I accomplished something in this life," then giving up is not an option. Wherever I may end up 10 years down the road, I guarantee you I will have come a long way, and that I have gained altitude.
Until next time, keep rockin',
never cease to have fun, and dream!
~Shane
short bio
Shane Cooley
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
www.shanecooleymusic.com (cooley@rivnet.net)
Age: 19
Style: acoustic rock
Comparisons: John Mayer, Brian Adams, Keller Williams ( in review) , Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jason Mraz (in Review), “John Denver with an attitude”
CD’s: 5 home-recorded CD’s including “Live on USA” for 911 (all proceeds were given to the Red Cross),
“Positive Reinforcement”’ and “Climb”, which were recorded at Winter Sound Studio,
“Me, Myself and You” recorded and produced by STEVE BASSETT,
9th upcoming CD produced by CHRIS KEUP and STEWART MYERS (JASON MRAZ, LIFEHOUSE).
-For sale at www.shanecooleymusic.com, Plan 9 music stores across VA, CD Baby, Tower Records, Birdland Music, and at the William and Mary Barnes and Noble Bookstore
Reviews: “Positive Reinforcement” was reviewed by Bill Bass in Ninevolt Magazine. The review stated that “Cooley has a rich voice and writes nice acoustic ballads,” and “he’s a diamond in the rough, but not for long.”
Fans: SHANE COOLEY FANS UNITED linked on (www.shanecooleymusic.com)
Press: Ninevolt Magazine, Style Weekly The Free Lance Star, Fredericksburg, The Weekend for both The Free Lance Star and the Richmond Times Dispatch, The Daily Press, Northern Neck News, Rappahannock Record, The Westmoreland News, Rappahannock Times, Gloucester News, Southside Sentinel, RCC Newspaper, Riverviews Magazine, The Rivah
Radio:
-XM Radio international airplay: picked as one of the 12 “Futures” for XM Radio as an artist “gaining momentum every day”, now getting regular airplay
-Played almost weekly on “The Great American Music Hour” with Jerry Jodice on WRIR Richmond Indie Radio as well as the artist spotlight on the Podcast version of the show.
-Sunrise on Sundays interview and live performance with Hunter Hughes on 93.7 the Coast in Norfolk
-STUDIO B with Jay Smack on 102.1 the X
-107.9 the Tide: Williamsburg
-Fredericksburg’s 95.9
-The Thea Marshall Show on Windy 105
-Bill Bevins Interview (Lite 98) and live Christmas Show, Richmond
-Bay 101.7 WKWI
-105.5 WRAR and sister station WNNT
Memorable Perfomances: 17th Street Pavillion oceanfront solo concert for VA Beach Beach events (Cellar Door Productions/Clear Channel), In-Store Concert and promo at Birdland Music in VA Beach, The Mellow Mushroom in Charleston South Carolina, Kelly’s Backstage NorVa Tavern in Norfolk VA, Aroma’s in Williamsburg VA, Toliver House Restaurant in Charlottsville VA, Rivah Fest in Tappahannock VA, Picker’s Supply Songwriter’s Showcase in Fredericksburg VA, Opened for national act Fighting Gravity in the Y Rocks the Neck Music Festival VA, Canal Club in Richmond VA, Abbey Road Pub and Restaurant in VA Beach, Urbanna Oyster Festival VA, VA Beach Public Library, Ferebee’s in Tappahannock VA, Boathouse Café in Deltaville and Urbanna VA, Marker 20 in Hampton at the Blackbeard Festival VA, Quagmire’s in Nags Head NC, Howards Pub, Jolly Roger Pub on Ocracoke Island NC, The Treasure Ship in Panama City Beach Florida, Carribean Bar and Grille in Ocean City MD, An Occasion for the Arts in Williamsburg VA, William and Mary Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Williamsburg VA, Black History Celebration at Rappahannock High School VA, RC College VA, The City of Fredericksburg Paddlewheeler Cruise in Fredericksburg VA, , 2004-05 State Beta Club Convention in Richmond VA, Locusville Music Festival VA, , Opened for Rick Derringer and the Georgia Satellites at the Coles Point Music Fest VA, Windy 105 Christmas Concert VA, Ponce De Leon State Park Florida
Awards, titles, and nominations: Chosen as one of the 12 “Futures” for XM Radio as an aritst
gaining momentum every day,” Nominee for the Virginia Music Awards by Ninevolt Magazine for Folk/Acoustic Artist of the Year Virginia State Volunteer of the Year (VFW), Citizen of the Year (Richmond County Schools),
GPA: 4.0
Shane Cooley bio
At 18, Shane has a passion for writing, singing and performing his own songs.
Shane has performed up and down the East Coast at many popular venues and is in the process of establishing a name for himself with both booking agents and music lovers. Shane has recorded 5 self-made CDs and 3 professional studio CDs, all containing only songs that he has written.
Shane was born in Lancaster County Virginia and lives on a beautiful estate on the Rappahannock River. His father, Jack, has always had a love of music and provided a musical influence through the years. Shane's mom, Pat, is his business assistant and photographer.
At age 13, Shane began to sing and write songs and at 14, he got interested in playing the guitar, learning basic chords from his dad, Jack. It didn't take him long to start teaching himself new chords and to develop his own style. Writing songs took on a new enthusiasm and Shane now has a profile of over 150 songs. His lyrics reflect many of the things he values; relationships, his country and the days of summer. Shane writes about his experiences with his peers and family, his lyrics convey many of his emotions. His songs truly have lyrics you'll WANT to listen to.
Acoustic Rock or Contemporary Rock best describes Shane's style of music. Shane performs alone using his acoustic guitar and harmonica to bring his heartfelt lyrics to life. "I like to bill these performances as Up Close and Personal because you will get to know a little something about me during the 2 - 4 hour concerts." Shane has enough self-written material to perform all original songs during these shows. At most shows, you can observe many of those new to Shane's music, turning their attention to his act and staying throughout the evening. Not only do Shane's lyrics reveal many of his emotions but his sense of humor comes across between songs. His easy going, down to earth personality promotes a good interaction with his audience and he has built up a loyal fan following.
Shane has been successful in getting his songs on the radio. A local interest developed in Kilmarnock, Tappahannock, Fredericksburg and Richmond radio stations that promote local artists. Shane has done live interviews with many DJ personalities and he handles himself well and promotes his music like a pro. Live On U.S.A, Day-Lily, Affection, Climb and Me, Myself and You have all received radio play as well as press. Shane has been interviewed by newspaper and magazine reporters for such publications as The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, the Rappahannock Record and Nine-Volt Magazine, which is dedicated to Virginia's music scene. Rob Hedelt has written a series of articles for The Free Lance-Star on Shane's achievements. He mentioned Shane's "depth of expression", "a desire to put what he's thinking into music he can't wait to share" and "wisdom beyond his years". Bill Bass wrote in Ninevolt Magazine "Here's a guy to watch for in the future".
Since the age of 14, Shane has been accomplished enough in his music abilities to receive awards. In 2001, just days after September 11th, Shane wrote "Live On U.S.A", a tribute to the 911 disasters. Shane was awarded as the VFW State Volunteer of the Year in regards to his work with The American Red Cross All the CD money was donated to the American Red Cross to be used for the families of the 911 disaster victims. This experience fueled Shane's interest and a music career began.
In 2004, Shane was honored by being nominated for the Ninevolt Virginia Music Awards in the Folk/Acoustic Artist of the Year category, a nomination rarely awarded to a newcomer.
Shane is consistently improving his skills with a love for music that only deepens daily. He is ready for the music world. Doors are opening and Shane Cooley is walking through them - guitar in hand.
references and quotes
- Jerry Jodice, host of the Great American Music Hour on WRIR Richmond Indie Radio and Podcasted around the world (from GAMH Artist Spotlight August 2005):
"Okay, girls, have a good look at... singer/songwriter Shane Cooley.....he may still be in high school, but my prediction is that you're going to see and hear a lot about Shane Cooley before it's all said and done.....[Shane] writes some of the best tunes I've heard in a long time."
- Mark Lukehart, Riverviews reporter (2004)
"Shane Cooley is on the long road to growing up. And as he grows, so does his music."
- Bill Bass, music critic (from Ninevolt Magazine Review 2003):
"Here's a guy to watch for in the future....he's a diamond in the rough, but not for long."
- Rob Hedelt, Free Lance Star Reporter (from 2003 article)
"He's taken his first steps. Some of his music reflects his youth and limited experience. But here and there in his original tunes are songs with a depth of expression and talent that makes you forget he's only fifteen."
- Jay Smack, radio personality and supporter of local music (2005 email to Shane)
"hey man, it's BECAUSE of people like you that I do this. I grew up playing in bands, and I always wished somebody on the "inside" wouldjust give me the time of day.
nuff said. ~jay"
-Coyote, (Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro), acoustic musicians and supporters of Shane (2005)
"kill 'em baby!!!"
- Spider Cole, family friend and former bandmate (2003)
"You hear him sing about the pain and heartbreak of being his age and you feel for him."