New Orleans-based singer, songwriter, fiddler and actress Amanda Shaw is part of a new breed of young, roots-based musicians who have embraced both traditional and pop sounds, creating music that is both authentic and bold. At the age of 16, Shaw is a seasoned entertainer with a substantial audience across the southern U.S., and, through her starring role in the IMAX film, Hurricane on the Bayou (released in 2006), is gaining an increasing national presence. For the past three years, her self-released CD was among the top ten best sellers at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, where she also drew record crowds. She’s also received numerous local awards, including a Big Easy Award for Best Female Entertainer when she was only 14. With the release of her Rounder Records debut, Pretty Runs Out, Shaw is poised to take her dazzling showmanship to the national stage.
Attracted to the violin at the age of three after hearing an orchestra on television, Shaw first studied classical music, and became the youngest performer ever to solo with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, at the age of seven. Although she is not of Cajun descent, she became captivated by local Cajun and country fiddle styles, and was soon leading her own band, playing Cajun fiddle tunes, originals and, eventually, covers of pop songs by the likes of The Ramones and The Clash. Word of her talent and exciting performances spread quickly. She performed twice on The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1999 and 2001), opened locally for Charlie Daniels and played onstage with Cyndi Lauper. With her charismatic on-camera presence, she was recruited to star in two Disney television movies, Now You See It (2005) and Stuck in the Suburbs (2004). On the brink of teen stardom, Shaw chose instead to pursue a different path, applying herself ever more seriously to her music.
Shaw and Grammy® award-winning Rounder producer/VP of A&R Scott Billington began working together in 2004, cutting a demo session at the legendary and now destroyed Ultrasonic Studio in New Orleans. For two years, they diligently worked on developing the repertoire recorded on Pretty Runs Out. The songs came together as Shaw collaborated with such respected songwriters as Anders Osborne, Shannon McNally and Jim McCormick, and in sessions with her own band, the Cute Guys.
Pretty Runs Out was recorded at New Orleans’ Piety Street Studio in the Upper Ninth Ward over a two-month period at the end of 2006. The songs are anchored by Shaw’s Cajun-rooted fiddle, and by her surprisingly mature vocals. Country-influenced songs include the title track, composed by Shaw and Jim McCormick, and Diane Warren’s “I Don’t Want to Be Your Friend,” originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper. The bluesy “Chirmolito,” inspired by two Mexican workers who helped rebuild Shaw’s Katrina-damaged home, was co-written with Shannon McNally. The funky original “Brick Wall” is based on a New Orleans schoolyard taunt, serving also as a showcase for trombonist Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, who might be said to be Shaw’s kindred spirit among New Orleans’ new breed of roots musicians. Of course, the album features three of the blazing fiddle instrumentals for which Shaw has become known.
“What’s most important to me as I go forward is to be respected for what I do as a musician, songwriter and artist—to earn that respect,” says Shaw. With the release of Pretty Runs Out, she’s well on her way.
,.....i thank you for takeing the time to accept me into your circle of friends,ive watched you grow up on stage,ive seen several performances by you when you played in slidell,after watching your video here you nailed the part about not being able to find a teacher for any folk style of music,its getting hard just to get strings for violin/fiddle other than the starter sets in the local shops,when i was growing up they didnt teach violin in the school bands,really i didnt realise that i could even play it untill i was 28 after seeing a movie called the music of the heart about a woman who taught little kids in a harlem school,i noticed in part of the film that i could hold a bow with some controll dispite my birth defective right hand so shortly after i saved up enough to buy my first fiddle settup,i than proceeded to teach myself the best i could, since than ive gotten with a jam session group built a fiddle from a kit ,and learned mandolin as well, i have allways loved all sorts of old and new music,my folks hate the fiddle sound so i practice as often as i can when they are out,its funny alot of the same tunes they have on all day in those old movies,when i play them just as well its noise to them,anyhow i wish you well on your musical journey and may peace and happiness be with you allways !
Just droppin by to send some love it would have been awesome to have you play the Clinton Art and Music Festival again this year. By the way I love your new album. peace love and revolution nick
hey u hugged my mama I wish I was their to hug u lol she even got a pic taken with u today and a autagraph from u I was like WHAT?!?! lol ya she worked at that jazzercise thing at the convntion center for Beauty Control man I wish I was der to see u=[ I hope I get to see u next time lol well ttyl luv ya Amanda ^_^
Hey Amanda...............My girls are STILL your biggest fan club.....Check out my pics....they LOVE u !!!! !You are doing so good, but I promise u, they are your biggest fan club, other than your family. !!!!
