Shawn Camp Revisits the ’90s With ‘Lost’ Albums
Sixteen years ago, songwriter Shawn Camp delivered his second album to his record label. Coming off a pair of Top 40 country hits with 'Never Felt So Good' and 'Confessin' My Love,' Shawn's second disc was poised to be a breakthrough hit.
Only problem was the powers-that-be at Shawn's label, Warner Reprise in Nashville, felt the album, "didn't sound like the latest hit," Shawn says today. "They wanted me to change everything. Told me to take all the fiddles and Dobros off and put electric guitars on. I got crossways and never did it."
The lost album is finally being issued with the title '1994,' and it's thanks to Warner Music Nashville President/CEO John Esposito, who happened into an impromptu guitar pull with Shawn during last year's Leadership Music retreat, an invitation-only gathering of industry professionals. After digging through the Warner vaults and getting his first listen to the music, Esposito said, "This stuff is magic. There's this sly, underlying sexiness to Shawn's songwriting that I dig. I was trained to sign people who are magnificent and then to allow them show their magnificence. It shouldn't be about trying to change what they do."
Shawn confirms that the recording is, "an unchanged snapshot of that moment 16 years ago." And he adds proudly, "At least it's getting out there for the folks to hear. It's kind of a shock, but I'm awfully thrilled."
Although his chart success as a solo artist has been somewhat limited, Shawn has developed into an in-demand songwriter, penning the No. 1 Garth Brooks hit, 'Two Pina Coladas,' in addition to George Strait's 'River of Love,' 'Would You Go With Me' by Josh Turner and Brooks & Dunn's 'How Long Gone.'
"Shawn sings, plays and writes up there in the fine, rarified air where very few can breathe," says legendary songwriter Guy Clark. "It's a joy to behold."
Since 2001, Shawn has released four critically-lauded independent albums: 'Lucky Silver Dollar,' 'Live at the Station Inn,' 'Fireball,' and 'The Bluegrass Elvises,' with Billy Burnette. Along with '1994,' Warner Music is also reissuing Shawn's 1993 self-titled debut, out of print since the mid-'90s.
In addition to songwriting collaborations with Guy Clark, '1994' features guest appearances from bluegrass icon Bill Monroe, singer Patty Loveless and Dobro legend Jerry Douglas.
'Shawn Camp' and '1994' will be available beginning September 28.