Biography

In 1988, Shawn Nagy formed his first group "The Rock & Roll Express". 
Within a year, the earliest version of THE SHACKSHAKERS was formed, initially as "Johnny Rebel & The Shackshakers".
In that first year, they appeared on regional TV and opened for Canadian Juno Award Duo "The Johner Brothers."

In 1991, they began full time road tours across Western Canada & the USA, which included briefly backing up the late legendary rocker Buddy Knox. The country scene was booming and the group was busy performing 6 nights a week, 10 weeks at a time with only a few weeks off per year while sharpening their skills in the top clubs, fairs, and other events. Reviews had always been highly favorable, and by July ‘95 the group was offered a recording/management deal with a major Canadian label, but declined the offer
due to different marketing views with the company. The group became the topic of numerous publication articles.

Performing highlights include being invited up to Canada for the Craven Big Valley Jamboree where they performed in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 11, 000. They also appeared at the world renowned Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta for a week of the events, performing daily for 8000+ people per day. While in Calgary they performed for a Calgary Flames (hockey team) Special Event, and were invited to sing the Canadian National Anthem at a hockey game.
Later that month they opened for Juno Award group of the year, The Good Brothers.


The Canadian club scene began to dwindle and Shawn began performing in the USA in the Fall of 1994.
Once again, he kept the group busy almost every week of each year with full-time, full week performances.

March of ‘96 found the group at the Grand Casino in Tunica, MS & Memphis, TN.
In the Fall of ‘96 they appeared at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, MN with John Berry & Doug Stone.
The group watched the country music scene dwindle in their Minnesota based area and they became a “variety” band in mid ‘97.
At that time, they added the dynamic vocals of Darlene Marie to further broaden their musical possibilities. 

In January 1998, they received the “Up & Coming Variety Group Of 1998” award in "Nightlife", a Minnesota Entertainment magazine. Getting great reviews for their uptempo show and original songs, one review stamped leader Shawn Nagy to be "a songwriters missing link between Buddy Holly & The Beach Boys".

In June of 1999, they received a standing ovation at the renowned "Norman & Vi Petty Music Festival" in Clovis, NM. They performed with The Roses, Gary & Ramona Tollett (both sang backups on Buddy Holly’s hit recordings) and The Fireballs. The great response got them a headlining position the 14th Annual Petty Festival in June 2000.


In August of 1999 they relocated to Lubbock, TX for a year to record their debut CD.

They signed with Independent Texas label "Daddy-O Records" and their CD "The Shackshakers - (With Special Guests)" was recorded from Feb-May & released June 2nd, 2000. It received exceptional reviews & International airplay helped the group appear in music publications world-wide such as "Blue Suede News" and "Original Cool". They signed a world-wide distributorship deal
with Hepcat Records & Distribution out of California which released their CD World-Wide in November of 2000.
EVERY song on the CD received airplay somewhere; including the USA, Canada, Norway, Australia,
England, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Uruguay & Holland. Some songs charted Internationally including
"The Ballad Of Desiree", "No Other Love", and "Lotta Lovin'".


In the fall of 2000 they performed at the #1 country club in the US, "The Caravan" in Albuquerque, NM and the next week along with Patty Loveless at The Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, MN. That show finished their CD Release Tour and they returned to the fun filled clubs of MN/WI as their home base.

The year 2000 ended off with the group being named one of the Top #100 Most Requested Artists on the top country radio station in Canada, a great feat considering the major label competition, and they also entered the European charts with a number of their songs.

In 2001, they racked up 116 performances.

In January 2002 they did a 6 night tour with "The Rock & Roll Dance Party". This featured the group doing their own material as well as backing almost everyone who performed with Buddy Holly including: Grammy Award winner Tommy Allsup, Carl Bunch, The Tolletts, The Roses, George Tomsco of The Fireballs, Ernie Valens (Ritchie's nephew), Alan Clark, and Bobby Vee. The tour ended at the famed Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA where Buddy, The Big Bopper & Ritchie Valens last performed.


In August of 2002 they were featured as well as backing all acts in Lubbock, TX for
an upcoming 2003 documentary release "Legends Of West Texas Rock & Roll".
The filming featured artists that recorded at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis and those on Buddy Holly's records.

Their debut CD received considerable airplay (including chart positions) in Canada, Europe & parts of the USA. Their song "The Ballad Of Desiree" was still in the Top 100 Most Requested Songs on CKLQ Radio in Brandon, Manitoba for the year 2002.

They are quickly recognized as being one of the most versatile and fun filled groups on the independent scene. Like their CD, a live performance features a wide variety of music to suit any audience from Patsy Cline to Pat Benatar, Buddy Holly to ZZ Top, Roger Miller to Stevie Ray Vaughan - an unmatched song list of classic rock, oldies & country. Such a variety makes them Minnesota's most booked band & usually their calendar is close to full a year in advance.

Now, in 2004 - they have a video & their 2nd CD slated for a Summer release,
as well as some Canadian dates in the Fall to help promote the new CD,
their first time performing there since 1996.

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Be prepared to dance, prance, romance, put the hustle in your muscle & boil in your oil...
limbo, hula hoop and who knows what else
when you come out to see The Shackshakers.

You're guaranteed to appreciate their individual talents & collective musicianship,
as well as their powerhouse male & female lead vocals.
Be sure to catch this unique group when they perform in your area soon!