The Jailhouse Poets are an Alt/Country band from Northwest Indiana. Started in the fall of 2012 by frontman Jeff Shepherd (Whiskey Business) and friend Matt Patt as an acoustic duo, the two soon decided to bring others into the mix and in December of 2012 they recorded their first EP “The Steel Mill Diaries”. In the summer of 2013 they shot a music video for their single “The Worst Wothdrawal”. Look for it on YouTube!

Hey there, this is Shawn James.

I’ve had way too many writers think they could sum me up & relay what I’m about from an hour long conversation so they could write my “bio” but I’ve had it. Screw that. I’ll tell it in my own words.

I was born & raised In Chicago, Illinois. I grew up on the south side of the city where I attended a gospel church. I was always around a lot of heartfelt soulful music & hardworking, real, down to earth people. Although I no longer abide by any religion, I value the times I had and how they shaped me to be what I am now.

I’ve moved around quite a bit living in all different parts of the US. While absorbing all sorts of different cultures from here & around the world, I’ve developed my own sound.

I started releasing my own music in 2012 and haven’t stopped since. I play a wide range of music from folk to blues, r&b, Gospel to rock, metal & alotta things in between. The main constant amongst all the genres would be that it’s all done with emotion, feeling, heart & a lotta soul. I mean what I say & deeply feel what I play.

I play covers of songs I dig sometimes and although some people may only know me because of those, I’m hardly just a cover artist.

If you come see me play live and expect just one style or aspect of what I do, you may be disappointed to learn that our shows are a roller coaster of emotions, musical styles, intensity & energy. I get bored easily & love to mix things up. Be ready & bring your ear plugs just in case..

I’ve always been the underdog so to speak since I’ve never had the backing of a large record label, big marketing firm or massive PR company & I truly like it that way. I feel as though I’ve earned what I have through hard work, determination, a good bit of luck & the great relationships with people I’ve made along the way. I’ve learned a lot of lessons the hard way being in this “music business industry” and that’s alright by me. I’ve seen that with your support (the listeners out there) I can make my wildest dreams come true.

If you want to listen to an artist that’s authentic, genuine & original then you’ve come to the right place.

I hope you enjoy the music & will join me on this journey that I’m so extremely grateful to be on. Thank you all so very much.

Love,

Shawn James

Sweet Home Chicago….
Guitarist Bryan Wilkinson resides in Chicago; actively writing, recording, touring and performing over 100+ gigs a year. Born & raised in the small city of Rutland VT, the guitarist began peforming live at age 17, and touring by age 19. Now 28 years old, the guitarist has played music all over the world, in venues both big and small, and developed countless working relationships with musicians, artists, crews, fans, and industry professionals.

Music on and off the road has been a way of life for over a decade; with plenty of past Lives….

The Garbage Men (2002-2003), Bombs Away (2003-2004), Deathpact (2004-2005), Far from Finished (2005), Hounds of Hell (2006-2008), The LustKillers (2008-2012), Red Hot Mess (2008-2009), The Static Age (2011), Blitzkid (2011), Black Actress (2010-present), The Last Vegas (Aug 2012-Present).

The Guitarist continues to keep music and peforming live in the forefront, with a demanding schedule always on the horizon.

YEEEEE-HAAAW! COACH N’ COMMANDO come up with Kids’ll Lose Their Heads. Twangy shit kickin’ country punk duo couldn’t be anymore redneck than ifin’ these boys had married their sisters, likin’ their pappys did, n’ their pappys ‘fore ’em. -NY Waste