Over the past 10 years, Shane Dwight has performed over 2,000 live shows, released seven CDs with over 60,000 units sold, been a repeat performer on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise (West Coast and East Coast), headlined and performed at some of the biggest music festivals around the world, including Beale Street Music Festival, Bayfront Blues Festival, Bethlehem Musikfest, Ottawa Bluesfest and Portland Waterfront Blues Festival. He has performed with and/or shared the stage with a wide variety of some of the biggest names in music: B.B. King, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Night Ranger, The Marshall Tucker Band, Johnny Winter, Etta James, The Doobie Brothers and Jimmie Vaughan, to name a few. His music has been heard on hundreds of radio stations in over 30 different countries.
Critical accolades have followed Shane Dwight wherever he has gone. Blues Revue magazine stated: “Shane Dwight is a talented musician and an impressive songwriter… Dwight’s guitar playing is as substantial as his songwriting.” The San Francisco Chronicle called him “a music sensation….;”Andrew Gilbert of the San Jose Mercury News said of Dwight: “Tough, lean guitar work and commanding vocals, he is a tour de force… Shane is a killer songwriter, singer, guitarist and performer… he is an artist who’s creating a soulful Americana sound.”
Born on the East Side of San Jose and raised on a horse ranch in Morgan Hill, California, it was a tough decision for Shane to pack up and move to Nashville to further pursue his musical career. But Shane immediately fell in love with Music City and knew it was the right decision. Within six months of living there, he quickly earned a reputation as a “guitarslinger.” The Nashville City Paper called him: “One of Music City’s prime guitar warriors, Shane Dwight excels in numerous situations from story songs and laments to explosive workouts and fiery duels. Shane Dwight’s playing and singing is consistently stellar, and frequently magnificent.” It doesn’t seem to matter what town Shane lives in or performs in, the critics always seem to agree: “He plays a mean guitar, whether he’s rocking, delving into roots, alt-country, R&B, or hitting you in the gut with searing, straight-ahead blues… he plays and sings with charisma, heart, and energy.” (Toledo Blade)
Shane grew up with a family that listened to all types of music. Out on the ranch it was Willie, Hank and Waylon; but in the house his older sister was playing Ozzy, Hendrix and Zeppelin. Shane loved it all, but seemed to be drawn towards the blues as he got older. Shane considers himself an “American Artist” with influences from all of the above.
Moving to Nashville three years ago proved to be a “double-edged sword.” On one hand, Shane signed a record deal, got signed with the prestigious Intrepid Artists International booking agency and became connected with some of the world’s best musicians, producers and managers.
On the other hand, it put a huge stress on his marriage. Traveling on the road for 200 shows a year and being separated from his wife the majority of that time proved to be too much for both of them. Going through a separation and eventual divorce took a hard personal toll on Shane and his wife. It was during that time that Shane began writing songs for his latest – and best album – to date, A Hundred White Lies.
11 of the 12 songs on A Hundred White Lies are originals written by Shane during that sad, dark period in his life. As the title track states, it all began with “A Hundred White Lies.” “She Struts 22” is about the temptations that all artists go through while on the road. “Love’s Last Letter” and “Broken” are songs written about the pain of separation; and “True Love’s Gone” sums it all up. Sometimes the best songwriting comes from the darkest of times.
A Hundred White Lies was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Kevin McKendree and recorded at his Rock House Studio in Franklin, Tennessee, which happens to be next door to where Shane moved. Shane and Kevin were able to put together a cast of musicians on this album that is unparalleled. The group he recorded with was “Dick 50,” better-known as Delbert McClinton’s recording and touring band, featuring – in addition to McKendree on keyboards – Rob McNelley (guitar), Lynn Williams (drums) and Stephen Mackey (bass). On background vocals, he features Bekka Bramlett (daughter of Delaney & Bonnie, who has sung with Fleetwood Mac, Joe Cocker, Dwight Yoakum, Rod Stewart, Vince Gill and Sam Moore), as well as the McCrary Sisters (Ann, Regina and Alfreda, who have recorded with Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Buddy Miller and Wynonna Judd).
