Shawn Colvin in Concert
Born in Vermilion, South Dakota and raised in part in Illinois and Ontario, Shawn Colvin was already a well-traveled and seasoned performer by the time she won her first GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album with her debut album, Steady On in 1989. She has been a mainstay of the contemporary folk music scene ever since, releasing eleven superlative albums and establishing herself as one of America’s greatest live performers. She triumphed at the 1998 GRAMMY Awards, winning both Record and Song of the Year for “Sunny Came Home.” Her inspiring and candid memoir, Diamond In The Rough, which chronicles her struggles with depression and eating disorders, was published to strong reviews in 2012. With the wit, lyricism, and empathy that have characterized Shawn’s performances and inspired audiences worldwide, Diamond in the Rough looks back over a rich lifetime of highs and lows with stunning insight and candor.
Shawn’s most recent solo endeavor, Uncovered (Fantasy Records, 2015), is the long-awaited follow up to fan-favorite Cover Girl. Uncovered's twelve tunes include masterful interpretations of songs by Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder, Robbie Robertson and Graham Nash to name a few, but in their selection and delivery, they are pure Shawn Colvin.
In June 2016, Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle united to release, Colvin & Earle, their acclaimed self-titled duo album (Fantasy Records). Produced by Buddy Miller (Patty Griffin, Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams) the album features guitarist Richard Bennett (Neil Diamond, Mark Knopfler), drummer Fred Eltringham (Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves), and bassist Chris Wood (of Medeski Martin & Wood). Fueled by their longtime friendship, Colvin & Earle beautifully captures the pair’s extraordinary chemistry and is a true standout in careers already filled with pinnacles and masterpieces. The album received high praise from critics – NPR asserted that the duo “Elevated their collaboration to the level of top-flight album-making, bringing seemingly opposing impulses to the process.”
Shawn’s longtime career achievements were recognized when she was recently bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Trailblazer Award at this year’s Americana Honors & Awards Show, held at Nashville’s famous Ryman Auditorium on September 21st, 2016. Presenting Colvin with this prestigious award was Bonnie Raitt. Of Shawn, Raitt said “She’s simply one of the best singers I’ve ever heard— and a truly gifted and deep songwriter and guitarist… She was groundbreaking when she emerged and continues to inspire me and the legions of fans and other singer/songwriters coming up in her wake”