Shaun Shankel
Shaun Shankel is an American Grammy nominated, Dove Award[1] winning songwriter and record producer, who has written and produced for some of the biggest selling artists in the pop and Christian and Country music markets, selling over seven million albums and singles. He has had 12 #1 hits and song placements in over 18 film, television and commercial campaigns.
Early life
Shankel grew up playing music in his family and with his grandfather on harmonica (he made several albums singing in a quartet with the Gospel Harolds), his father on guitar and Shaun on piano, they would sing and harmonize old hymns. He started studying piano professionally at 7 and by 10 was writing and performing his own songs in school. In high school he wrote for the glee club and played in several Indianapolis area rock bands. Shaun went to Indiana University, where he graduated with a double degree in Audio Technology and Music and Telecommunications. Also while at school, he wrote music for television shows on the PBS affiliate, WTUI.
Music career
After college, Shankel moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work for writer/producer Keith Thomas, in various capacities. He assisted him in all aspects including engineering, writing and production management. During that time he worked with Vanessa Williams, Amy Grant, Mandy Moore, 98 Degrees, and Michael Bolton.
After five years, Shankel decided to leave and pursue his own production career, and set up shop at Lealand Studios.
During the next few years, Shankel became one of the most sought after producer/writers. Some of the artists he has worked with include Kimberley Locke, Hilary Duff, Clay Aiken, Nicholas Jonas (and the Jonas Brothers) Jadyn Maria (Herbal Essences national campaign), RJ Helton, Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Chronicles of Narnia, Rebecca St. James, Jump 5, Tyler Hilton, Mark Schultz, Plumb, Avalon, ZOEGirl, Michael English and For King & Country (band).[2]
During this time he also spotted a talent in songwriter in Kyle Jacobs and signed him to a joint venture, Fortune Favors the Bold Music Publishing, with Curb Music Publishing. Jacobs has recorded with Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler and Garth Brooks, whose Jacobs penned hit single, "More Than a Memory", is the only song in history to debut at #1 on the country charts.
In 2005, Shankel signed with Warner Chappell Music and while pursuing his own projects created another joint venture, Shankel Songs and signed Ben Glover, Billboard's Christian writer of the Year, 2010, Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, and For King & Country: The EP, whom he also produced.
Discography
| Year | Album | Artist | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Greatest Hits | Expose | Production Coordination |
| 1996 | Kissing Rain | Roch Voisine | Production Coordination |
| 1996 | NBA at 50: A Musical Celebration | Various Artists | Production Coordination |
| 1996 | Miracle | Puff Johnson | Production Coordination |
| 1996 | This is the Time: Christmas Album | Michael Bolton | Production Coordination |
| 1997 | Takes a Little Time | Amy Grant | Production Coordination |
| 1997 | Speed 2: Cruise Control | Original Soundtrack | Production Coordination |
| 1997 | We Need a Little Christmas | Andy Williams | Engineer |
| 1997 | Next | Vanessa Williams | Production Coordination |
| 1997 | Behind the Eyes | Amy Grant | Production Coordination |
| 1997 | Anytime | Brian McKnight | Digital Editing |
| 1997 | One Night with You: The Best of Love, Vol. 2 | Luther Vandross | Production Coordination |
| 1997 | All that Matters | Michael Bolton | Digital Editing |
| 1997 | Faith of Our Fathers | Various Artists | Producer |
| 1998 | Yours Faithfully | Rebbie Jackson | Production Coordination |
| 1998 | Audra & Alayna | Audra & Alayna | Production Coordination |
| 1998 | Everything's Gonna Be Alright | Deana Carter | Digital Editing, Production Coordination |
| 1998 | Touched By an Angel: The Album | Original TV Soundtrack | Production Coordination |
| 1998 | Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years | Vanessa Williams | Production Coordination |
| 1999 | Mountain High…Valley Low | Yolanda Adams | Production Coordination |
| 2000 | Center Stage (Sony) | Original Soundtrack | Editing, Production Coordination |
| 2000 | I Wanna Be With You | Mandy Moore | Editing, Digital Editing, Production Coordination |
| 2000 | At Last | Gladys Knight | Production Coordination |
| 2001 | Jump5 | Jump5 | Digital Editing |
| 2003 | Beautiful Lumps of Coal | Plumb | Engineer, Programming, Producer, String Arrangements |
| 2003 | Simple Things | Amy Grant | Production Coordination |
| 2003 | For You | Jonathan Pierce | Producer, Digital Editing, Engineer, Synthesizer |
| 2003 | WOW Hits 2004 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2003 | Ultimate Christmas Hits, Vol. 2: This is Christmas | Various Artists | Arranger, Producer |
| 2004 | 8th World Wonder | Kimberly Locke | Audio Production, Arranger, Producer |
| 2004 | Real Life | RJ Helton | Arranger, Synthesizer Programming, Engineer, Producer, Sound Design, Digital Editing, Vocals (Background), String Arrangements |
| 2004 | One Love | Kimberly Locke | Keyboards, Vocal Arrangement, Digital Editing, Bass, Keyboard Programming, Producer, Arranger, Drum Programming, Engineer, Programming |
| 2004 | Even More | Anthony Evans | Percussion, Keyboards, Piano, Arranger, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editing, Audio Production, Programming, String Arrangements |
| 2004 | Dreaming in Color | Jump5 | Producer, Engineer, Synthesizer Programming, Digital Editing, Audio Production, Audio Engineer |
| 2004 | Hilary Duff | Hilary Duff | Mixing, Producer |
| 2004 | Best of Mandy Moore | Mandy Moore | Pro-Tools, Production Coordination |
| 2005 | You Raise Me Up (Curb) | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2005 | Love Rocks (Centaur) | Various Artists | Composer, Producer |
| 2005 | Undisguised | Kara Williamson | Composer |
| 2005 | Room to Breathe | ZOEgirl | writer/producer on: "About You" Keyboards, Composer |
| 2005 | Very Best of Jump5 | Jump5 | Producer, Audio Production |
| 2005 | Awaken | Natalie Grant | Keyboards, String Arrangements, Piano, Composer, Engineer, Producer, Arranger, Digital Editing. Producer: "Held", "What Are You Waiting For", "Another Day", writer/producer: "Bring It All Together" |
| 2005 | Women & Songs, Vol. 8 (Bonus DVD) | Various Artists | Composer |
| 2005 | Absolute Smash Hits, Vol. 2 | Various Artists | Producer, Composer |
| 2005 | Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia | Original Soundtrack | Composer, Producer, Keyboards, Arranger, Engineer, Programming, String Arrangements |
| 2005 | WOW Hits 2006 | Various Artists | Composer, Producer |
| 2005 | If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something | Rebecca St. James | Audio Production, Programming, Engineer, Composer, Producer, Arranger, String Arrangements. songs, "I Need You", "Forgive Me", "Beautiful Stranger", "I Can Trust You" |
| 2005 | With All of My Heart: The Greatest Hits | ZOEgirl | Composer, Producer |
| 2006 | Absolute Modern Worship (2006) | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2006 | Stand | Avalon | Digital Editing, Producer, Composer, Arranger, String Arrangements, Engineer, Piano, Programming, Keyboards |
| 2006 | Chaotic Resolve | Plumb | Composer: "Better", "Jeckle & Hyde" |
| 2006 | WOW Worship: Aqua | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2006 | 24 (2003) | Point of Grace | Drum Programming, Bass, Synthesizer, Overdub Engineer, Producer |
| 2006 | Absolute All Time Favorites | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2006 | Greatest Hits: In Christ Alone | Michael English | String Arrangements, Producer, Arranger, Keyboards |
| 2006 | Broken & Beautiful | Mark Schultz | Composer, Programming, Digital Editing, Engineer, Keyboards, Arranger |
| 2006 | WOW Hits 2007 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2006 | Faith: A Hymns Collection | Avalon | Producer, Programming, Engineer |
| 2007 | Worship Together: Favorites | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2007 | Gifted: Season One | Various Artists | Producer, Keyboards, Arranger, Programming, Digital Editing |
| 2007 | Alive in Florida (CD/DVD) | Rebecca St. James | Composer |
| 2007 | Only the World | Mandisa | Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Arranger, Engineer, Digital Editing. "Only the World", "Only You" |
| 2007 | True Beauty | Mandisa | Composer, Vocal Producer, Digital Editing, Programming, Producer, Engineer, Audio Production |
| 2007 | WOW Hits 2008 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2007 | Blink | Plumb | Composer, "My Sweet, My Lovely", "Always" |
| 2007 | Indigo Dying | Indigo Dying | Composer |
| 2008 | Grace Was Free | Danielle Marshall | Composer |
| 2008 | Two For One: Accelerate/Dreaming in Color | Jump5 | Audio Production |
| 2008 | Two For One: Room to Breathe/With All of My Heart | ZOEgirl
Composer, Producer | |
| 2008 | Relentless | Natalie Grant | Engineer, Programming, Arranger, Keyboards, Digital Editing, Piano, Producer, Composer on: "Perfect People", "Wonderful Life", "Safe", "Let Go" |
| 2008 | Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics | Avalon | Producer, Engineer, String Arrangements, Programming, Arranger, Digital Editing |
| 2008 | Prodigal Comes Home | Michael English | String Arrangements, Arranger, Keyboards, Producer |
| 2008 | Ultimate Collection | Rebecca St. James | Producer, Composer |
| 2008 | Phil Stacey | Phil Stacey | Composer, "What I'm Fighting For" |
| 2008 | Rynn | Rynn | Composer |
| 2008 | Awaken/Deeper Life | Natalie Grant | Digital Editing, Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Piano, Arranger, Engineer, String Arrangements |
| 2008 | Chaotic Resolve/Beautiful Lumps of Coal | Plumb | Producer, String Arrangements, Engineer, Programming, Composer |
| 2008 | WOW Essentials: All-Time Favorite Christian Songs | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2008 | Natalie Grant Collector's Edition | Natalie Grant | String Arrangements, Composer, Arranger, Engineer, Piano, Keyboards, Producer, Digital Editing |
| 2008 | Greatest Hits | Jump5 | Producer |
| 2008 | Greatest Hits | ZOEgirl | Composer, Producer |
| 2008 | Mark Schultz Gift Tin | Mark Schultz | Keyboards, Digital Editing, Composer, Programming, Producer, Arranger, Engineer |
| 2009 | Better Together: 17 Hit Duets and Collaborations by Your Favorite Christian Artists | Various Artists | Producer, Composer |
| 2009 | Crazy Days | Adam Gregory | Composer |
| 2009 | Dare to Love: Songs of Unconditional Love for Couples | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2009 | Love, Save the Empty | Erin McCarley | Composer, "Bobblehead" |
| 2009 | Greatest Hits | Avalon | Producer |
| 2009 | Ultimate Collection | ZOEgirl | Composer, Producer |
| 2009 | Gnome Groove | DJ Kimberly S. | Composer |
| 2009 | Let Your Love Out | Luke Benward | Keyboards, Bass, Composer, Digital Editing, Engineer, Arranger, Producer |
| 2009 | Stand/The Creed | Avalon | Composer, Producer |
| 2009 | Come Alive | Mark Schultz | String Arrangements, Keyboards, Producer, Bass |
| 2009 | Beautiful History: A Hits Collection (2 Disc) | Plumb | Composer |
| 2009 | Workout & Worship | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2010 | Christian Music's Best: Pop | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2010 | Singer Songwriter Collection | Amy Grant | Production Coordination |
| 2010 | Love Like Crazy | Lee Brice | Composer, "Picture of Me" |
| 2010 | WOW: Best of 2004 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2010 | WOW: Best of 2007 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2010 | Pawn Shop Kings | Revolution | Universal/Stetson |
| 2011 | For King & Country | Busted Heart EP | Producer/writer |
| 2011 | Sidewalk Prophets | Deluxe Edition | Word Records/Curb/Warner Brothers |
| 2012 | For King & Country | Crave | Producer/writer |
| 2014 | Nashville (The TV Show) Episode 214 | Is That Who I Am? | Writer (Sung by Will) |
References
- "Word Entertainment artists, projects, songwriters, contributors collect 62 nominations for 41st annual Gospel Music Awards" (Press release). Warner Music Group. February 22, 2010. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013.
- Shaun Shankel at AllMusic