Shawn Lane
Best known for
Mandolin
Shawn Lane is a Virginia-born mandolinist, fiddler, and lead singer who co-founded Blue Highway in 1994 — one of the most-decorated traditional bluegrass bands of the past three decades, with 28 IBMA Awards and three Grammy nominations on the band's résumé.
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- Born and raised in Fort Blackmore, Virginia, in southwest Virginia near the Stanley, McReynolds, and Carter family homeplaces; now based in Walhalla, South Carolina.
- First learned fiddle from his grandfather; also picked up guitar and mandolin alongside uncles in family jams.
- Played in the Lou Reid Band (1990), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (1991–1993), and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (1993–1994) before co-founding Blue Highway in 1994.
- Original/founding member of Blue Highway with Tim Stafford, Wayne Taylor, Jason Burleson, and Rob Ickes; the band has won 28 IBMA Awards and earned 3 Grammy nominations.
- Co-wrote "Born with a Hammer in My Hand" with Tim Stafford (IBMA Song of the Year nominee, 2000) and "A Mother's Prayer" with Ronnie Bowman (recorded by Ralph Stanley); other Blue Highway staples include "The Game," "Sycamore Hollow," and "Tears Fell on Missouri."
- Nominated 2015 IBMA Songwriter of the Year.
- Charted #1 bluegrass solo singles "I Met the Man" and "One More" (2019–2021); solo albums include "All For Today" (2003, Rebel), "Mountain Songs" (2014, Cat Town), and "Family & Friends" (2021).
- Frequent guest mandolinist with the Grammy-winning Earls of Leicester; founded and directed the Bluegrass Music Program at Clemson University 2019–2022.
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Blue HighwayPlayed on recordings with Blue Highway
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Shawn LanePlayed on recordings with Shawn Lane
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Dailey and VincentPlayed on recording with Dailey and Vincent
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Jason DavisPlayed on recording with Jason Davis
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Larry Sparks and the Lonesome RamblersPlayed on recording with Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers
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Rob IckesPlayed on recording with Rob Ickes
