Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Runyon.
Shannon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I like to sing. I grew up singing with my family. We were a decent sized family – 5 kids, and our parents were very musical. Dad taught us piano at a young age and my mother was always singing while working, cleaning, baking.. it didn’t matter… and she had a beautiful voice. We grew up playing all sorts of instruments and singing at church, school, with choirs, you name it. It’s always been a big part of life for me. I sang with others or a partner or a band everywhere I’ve lived and once I moved to Utah, it became more of a solo venture. I did sing and write and album with a very talented musician while I lived in Texas but Park City Utah is where I feel my desire to write and sing came to the forefront. I start singing full time and re-learning the piano (as well as the guitar) to be able to accompany myself as I sang my originals or covers for events, weddings, restaurants, church, etc… pretty much anyone that would ask me to sing 🙂 I’m truly grateful to those who love and support live music because it’s a wonderful way to share the joy of life with others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Struggles along the way? That’s life for a musician! If you don’t sing, you don’t get paid, you can’t afford to live – but that’s what we choose because we love music. You have to take very good care of yourself so your body works optimally because singing takes effort and if you’re sick or tired, it doesn’t work. That is a lesson I’ve learned the hard way. You have to grow thick skin because everyone has different tastes and likes and that is life 🙂 every day in music is a day of learning, literally, in almost all ways. New songs, how to use your voice and instrument, how to improve and change as needed. It’s all worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One thing I’ve absolutely learned is that being a musician isn’t just being good on your instrument or having a voice people like – it’s taking the job very seriously and being a person others want to work with. That’s showing up on time, looking the part, being completely professional, clear communication, follow up, being able to shift gears as needed and providing something you’re proud of and others want more of. Yes, you can be creative and be yourself but you also need to be what suits the venue that hired you. Finding the balance and being true to the creativity that wants to come out of you is really fun.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I feel like the professional aspect is right up there as well as taking care of yourself – two of the top lessons. I also think it’s wise to continue to intentionally improve. I still take voice lessons and will continue. I’m intentional at living a healthy lifestyle and getting plenty of sleep. I follow up with venues and individuals to see if they have anything they need from me and continue to maintain those relationships. AND I don’t take things too personally. As managers change at venues or people change their minds about the kind of music they want at their event, gigs will get lost. That’s the nature of it. You have to be able to let it roll of your back, keep being the best you can at what you do and push forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shannonrunyon.com
- Instagram: @shannonrunyon
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shannon-runyon
