Shaun Shankel is an American Grammy nominated, Dove Award winning songwriter and record producer, who has written and produced for some of the biggest selling artists in the pop and Christian and Country music markets, selling over seven million albums and singles. He has had 12 No. 1 hits and song placements in over 18 film, television and commercial campaigns.
Early life Shankel grew up playing music in his family and with his grandfather on harmonica (he made several albums singing in a quartet with the Gospel Harolds), his father on guitar and Shaun on piano, they would sing and harmonize old hymns. He started studying piano professionally at 7 and by 10 was writing and performing his own songs in school. He attended Noblesville High School, where he wrote for the glee club and played in several Indianapolis area rock bands. Shaun went to Indiana University Bloomington and graduated with a double degree in Audio Technology and Music and Telecommunications. Also while at school, he wrote music for television shows on the PBS affiliate, WTUI. He received a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University.
Music career After college, Shankel moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work for writer/producer Keith Thomas, in various capacities. He assisted him in all aspects including engineering, writing and production management. During that time he also worked with Vanessa Williams, Amy Grant, Mandy Moore, 98 Degrees, and Michael Bolton.
After five years, Shankel decided to leave and pursue his own production career, and set up shop at Lealand Studios.
During the next few years, Shankel became one of the most sought after producer/writers. Some of the artists he has worked with include Kimberley Locke, Hilary Duff, Clay Aiken, Nicholas Jonas (and the Jonas Brothers) Jadyn Maria (Herbal Essences national campaign), RJ Helton, Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Chronicles of Narnia, Rebecca St. James, Jump 5, Tyler Hilton, Mark Schultz, Plumb, Avalon, ZOEGirl, Michael English and For King & Country.
During this time he also spotted a talent in songwriter in Kyle Jacobs and signed him to a joint venture, Fortune Favors the Bold Music Publishing, with Curb Music Publishing. Jacobs has recorded with Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler and Garth Brooks, whose Jacobs penned hit single, "More Than a Memory", is the only song in history to debut at #1 on the country charts.
In 2005, Shankel signed with Warner Chappell Music and while pursuing his own projects created another joint venture, Shankel Songs and signed Ben Glover, Billboard's Christian writer of the Year, 2010, Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, and For King & Country: The EP, whom he also produced.
Discography YearAlbumArtistCredit 1995 Greatest Hits Expose Production Coordination 1996 Kissing Rain Roch Voisine Production Coordination1996NBA at 50: A Musical CelebrationVarious ArtistsProduction Coordination1996MiraclePuff JohnsonProduction Coordination1996This is the Time: Christmas AlbumMichael BoltonProduction Coordination1997Takes a Little TimeAmy GrantProduction Coordination1997Speed 2: Cruise ControlOriginal SoundtrackProduction Coordination1997We Need a Little ChristmasAndy WilliamsEngineer1997NextVanessa WilliamsProduction Coordination1997Behind the EyesAmy GrantProduction Coordination1997AnytimeBrian McKnightDigital Editing1997One Night with You: The Best of Love, Vol. 2Luther VandrossProduction Coordination1997All that MattersMichael BoltonDigital Editing1997Faith of Our FathersVarious ArtistsProducer1998Yours FaithfullyRebbie JacksonProduction Coordination1998Audra & AlaynaAudra & AlaynaProduction Coordination1998Everything's Gonna Be AlrightDeana CarterDigital Editing, Production Coordination1998Touched By an Angel: The AlbumOriginal TV SoundtrackProduction Coordination1998Greatest Hits: The First Ten YearsVanessa WilliamsProduction Coordination1999Mountain High…Valley LowYolanda AdamsProduction Coordination2000Center Stage (Sony)Original SoundtrackEditing, Production Coordination2000I Wanna Be With YouMandy MooreEditing, Digital Editing, Production Coordination2000At LastGladys KnightProduction Coordination2001Jump5Jump5Digital Editing2003Beautiful Lumps of CoalPlumbEngineer, Programming, Producer, String Arrangements2003Simple ThingsAmy GrantProduction Coordination2003For YouJonathan PierceProducer, Digital Editing, Engineer, Synthesizer2003WOW Hits 2004Various ArtistsProducer2003Ultimate Christmas Hits, Vol. 2: This is ChristmasVarious ArtistsArranger, Producer20048th World WonderKimberly LockeAudio Production, Arranger, Producer2004Real LifeRJ HeltonArranger, Synthesizer Programming, Engineer, Producer, Sound Design, Digital Editing, Vocals (Background), String Arrangements2004One LoveKimberly LockeKeyboards, Vocal Arrangement, Digital Editing, Bass, Keyboard Programming, Producer, Arranger, Drum Programming, Engineer, Programming2004Even MoreAnthony EvansPercussion, Keyboards, Piano, Arranger, Producer, Engineer, Digital Editing, Audio Production, Programming, String Arrangements2004Dreaming in ColorJump5Producer, Engineer, Synthesizer Programming, Digital Editing, Audio Production, Audio Engineer2004Hilary DuffHilary DuffMixing, Producer2004Best of Mandy MooreMandy MoorePro-Tools, Production Coordination2005You Raise Me Up (Curb)Various ArtistsProducer2005Love Rocks (Centaur)Various ArtistsComposer, Producer2005UndisguisedKara WilliamsonComposer2005Room to BreatheZOEgirlwriter/producer on: "About You" Keyboards, Composer2005Very Best of Jump5Jump5Producer, Audio Production2005AwakenNatalie GrantKeyboards, String Arrangements, Piano, Composer, Engineer, Producer, Arranger, Digital Editing. Producer: "Held", "What Are You Waiting For", "Another Day", writer/producer: "Bring It All Together"2005Women & Songs, Vol. 8 (Bonus DVD)Various ArtistsComposer2005Absolute Smash Hits, Vol. 2Various ArtistsProducer, Composer2005Music Inspired by the Chronicles of NarniaOriginal SoundtrackComposer, Producer, Keyboards, Arranger, Engineer, Programming, String Arrangements2005WOW Hits 2006Various ArtistsComposer, Producer2005If I Had One Chance to Tell You SomethingRebecca St. JamesAudio Production, Programming, Engineer, Composer, Producer, Arranger, String Arrangements. songs, "I Need You", "Forgive Me", "Beautiful Stranger", "I Can Trust You" 2005With All of My Heart: The Greatest HitsZOEgirlComposer, Producer2006Absolute Modern Worship (2006)Various ArtistsProducer2006StandAvalonDigital Editing, Producer, Composer, Arranger, String Arrangements, Engineer, Piano, Programming, Keyboards2006Chaotic ResolvePlumbComposer: "Better", "Jeckle & Hyde"2006WOW Worship: AquaVarious ArtistsProducer200624 (2003)Point of GraceDrum Programming, Bass, Synthesizer, Overdub Engineer, Producer2006Absolute All Time FavoritesVarious ArtistsProducer2006Greatest Hits: In Christ AloneMichael EnglishString Arrangements, Producer, Arranger, Keyboards2006Broken & BeautifulMark SchultzComposer, Programming, Digital Editing, Engineer, Keyboards, Arranger2006WOW Hits 2007Various ArtistsProducer2006Faith: A Hymns CollectionAvalonProducer, Programming, Engineer2007Worship Together: FavoritesVarious ArtistsProducer2007Gifted: Season OneVarious ArtistsProducer, Keyboards, Arranger, Programming, Digital Editing2007Alive in Florida (CD/DVD)Rebecca St. JamesComposer2007Only the WorldMandisaProducer, Vocal Arrangement, Arranger, Engineer, Digital Editing. "Only the World", "Only You"2007True BeautyMandisaComposer, Vocal Producer, Digital Editing, Programming, Producer, Engineer, Audio Production2007WOW Hits 2008Various ArtistsProducer2007BlinkPlumbComposer, "My Sweet, My Lovely", "Always"2007Indigo DyingIndigo DyingComposer2008Grace Was FreeDanielle MarshallComposer2008Two For One: Accelerate/Dreaming in ColorJump5Audio Production2008Two For One: Room to Breathe/With All of My HeartZOEgirl Composer, Producer2008RelentlessNatalie GrantEngineer, Programming, Arranger, Keyboards, Digital Editing, Piano, Producer, Composer on: "Perfect People", "Wonderful Life", "Safe", "Let Go"2008Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian ClassicsAvalonProducer, Engineer, String Arrangements, Programming, Arranger, Digital Editing2008Prodigal Comes HomeMichael EnglishString Arrangements, Arranger, Keyboards, Producer2008Ultimate CollectionRebecca St. JamesProducer, Composer2008Phil StaceyPhil StaceyComposer, "What I'm Fighting For"2008RynnRynnComposer2008Awaken/Deeper LifeNatalie GrantDigital Editing, Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Piano, Arranger, Engineer, String Arrangements2008Chaotic Resolve/Beautiful Lumps of CoalPlumbProducer, String Arrangements, Engineer, Programming, Composer2008WOW Essentials: All-Time Favorite Christian SongsVarious ArtistsProducer2008Natalie Grant Collector's EditionNatalie GrantString Arrangements, Composer, Arranger, Engineer, Piano, Keyboards, Producer, Digital Editing2008Greatest HitsJump5Producer2008Greatest HitsZOEgirlComposer, Producer2008Mark Schultz Gift TinMark SchultzKeyboards, Digital Editing, Composer, Programming, Producer, Arranger, Engineer2009Better Together: 17 Hit Duets and Collaborations by Your Favorite Christian ArtistsVarious ArtistsProducer, Composer2009Crazy DaysAdam GregoryComposer2009Dare to Love: Songs of Unconditional Love for CouplesVarious ArtistsProducer2009Love, Save the EmptyErin McCarleyComposer, "Bobblehead"2009Greatest HitsAvalonProducer2009Ultimate CollectionZOEgirlComposer, Producer2009Gnome GrooveDJ Kimberly S.Composer2009Let Your Love OutLuke BenwardKeyboards, Bass, Composer, Digital Editing, Engineer, Arranger, Producer2009Stand/The CreedAvalonComposer, Producer2009Come AliveMark SchultzString Arrangements, Keyboards, Producer, Bass2009Beautiful History: A Hits Collection (2 Disc)PlumbComposer2009Workout & WorshipVarious ArtistsProducer2010Christian Music's Best: PopVarious ArtistsProducer2010Singer Songwriter CollectionAmy GrantProduction Coordination2010Love Like CrazyLee BriceComposer, "Picture of Me"2010WOW: Best of 2004Various ArtistsProducer2010WOW: Best of 2007Various ArtistsProducer2010Pawn Shop KingsRevolutionUniversal/Stetson2011For King & Country Busted Heart EPProducer/writer2011Sidewalk ProphetsDeluxe EditionWord Records/Curb/Warner Brothers2012For King & Country CraveProducer/writer2014Nashville (The TV Show) Episode 214Is That Who I Am?Writer (Sung by Will)
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