The Shackshakers
Encyclopedia
The Shackshakers are a 4 piece variety band based out of Duluth, Minnesota
, USA. Shawn Nagy formed the group in Carlyle, Saskatchewan
, Canada in the Summer of 1988.
The band performed on full-time road tours primarily in Canadian country venues before Nagy moved to Duluth, MN in 1995, where he changed the band lineup and switched to a variety format. Nagy was recruited for a theatrical production (to perform as Buddy Holly
at the Cactus Theater) in Holly's hometown of Lubbock, TX, and the band based themselves there for a 2 year period (1999–2001). Their debut CD was recorded in Lubbock and released in the Summer of 2000. "With Special Guests" received airplay in 11 countries, and the tracks "Lotta Lovin'", "The Ballad Of Desiree", and "No Other Love" saw chart action in Canada & overseas countries.
In 2004 they received notable recognition by the "Rockabilly Hall Of Fame". The Shackshakers were listed among 95 artists the Hall felt have made a significant contribution to rockabilly music in recent years dubbed "The 2nd Generation". They have appeared in magazines such as "Original Cool", "Texas Music Monthly", "Blue Suede News", Minnesota Street Rod Magazine" and others.
Nagy is known for exclusively using "drop G" tuning on stage.
A few notable appearances include:
Guests featured Steve Bloomfield (of British rockabilly group Matchbox
), Bill Cowsill
(Cowsills), The Roses (Norman Petty
Studio session vocalists), Joe Terry (Morells/Dave Alvin)
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, USA. Shawn Nagy formed the group in Carlyle, Saskatchewan
Carlyle, Saskatchewan
-Entertainment:The Bear Claw Casino & Hotel is located near Carlyle.The Shackshakers is a recording musical group that was formed in Carlyle by Shawn Nagy in 1988.-Climate:-Notable people:* Brenden Morrow - hockey player* Eliza Beatty - Silver Cross Mother...
, Canada in the Summer of 1988.
The band performed on full-time road tours primarily in Canadian country venues before Nagy moved to Duluth, MN in 1995, where he changed the band lineup and switched to a variety format. Nagy was recruited for a theatrical production (to perform as Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
at the Cactus Theater) in Holly's hometown of Lubbock, TX, and the band based themselves there for a 2 year period (1999–2001). Their debut CD was recorded in Lubbock and released in the Summer of 2000. "With Special Guests" received airplay in 11 countries, and the tracks "Lotta Lovin'", "The Ballad Of Desiree", and "No Other Love" saw chart action in Canada & overseas countries.
In 2004 they received notable recognition by the "Rockabilly Hall Of Fame". The Shackshakers were listed among 95 artists the Hall felt have made a significant contribution to rockabilly music in recent years dubbed "The 2nd Generation". They have appeared in magazines such as "Original Cool", "Texas Music Monthly", "Blue Suede News", Minnesota Street Rod Magazine" and others.
Nagy is known for exclusively using "drop G" tuning on stage.
Notable shows
The band has performed in over 120 Canadian venues, and 170 USA venues. They are known for backing various '50s & '60s acts, as well as their work with Buddy Holly related performers.A few notable appearances include:
- Craven Big Valley Jamboree (Craven, Sask, Canada) featured performer
- Calgary StampedeCalgary StampedeThe Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
(Calgary, AB Canada) featured performer - Norman & Vi Petty Music Festival (Clovis, NM) featured performer
- Sock Hop Rock (Canada) featured, backed Buddy KnoxBuddy KnoxBuddy Knox was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his 1957 rockabilly hit song, "Party Doll".-Biography:...
- Rock & Roll Dance Party (various venues) featured act, backed Tommy AllsupTommy AllsupTommy Allsup is an American musician.He worked with entertainers such as Buddy Holly and Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys...
, Carl Bunch, Ernie Valens, George Tomsco, Bobby VeeBobby VeeRobert Thomas Velline , known as Bobby Vee, is an American pop music singer. According to Billboard magazine, Vee has had 38 Hot 100 chart hits, 10 of which hit the Top 20.-Career:... - Legends Of West Texas Rock & Roll – Lubbock, TX – Fairpark Coliseum (backed Allsup, Bunch, Sonny West, Charlie Phillips, Terry Noland, and others)
- Fifties In February (Surf BallroomSurf BallroomThe Surf Ballroom is a Historic Rock and Roll Landmark at 460 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake, Iowa. The Surf is closely associated with The Day the Music Died - early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson gave their last performances at the Surf on...
– Clear Lake, Iowa) backed Dale HawkinsDale HawkinsDelmar Allen "Dale" Hawkins was a pioneer American rock singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist who was often called the architect of swamp rock boogie...
, The CleftonesThe CleftonesThe Cleftones were a doo-wop group from Queens, New York. They were formed in 1955 at Jamaica High School. The group consisted of Herbie Cox , Charlie James , Berman Patterson, , William McClane , and Warren Corbin . They were originally called The Silvertones...
, Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsThe FireballsThe Fireballs, sometimes billed as Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, is an American rock and roll group, particularly popular at the end of the 1950s and in the early 1960s... - Alberta Rock Reunion (Winspear Centre – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) featured performer, backed Dick DamronDick DamronDick Damron, is a Canadian country music singer, songwriter. Guitar,Banjo,Violin and Blues Harp. Damron experimented with many musical styles in the country genre including: ‘Outlaw’, ‘Honkey tonk’ and Gospel...
, Shirley Field, Jerry Palmer, Bill Hersche, Joe Kozak, George Tomsco - The Last Tour (commemorating Buddy Holly/Valens/Bopper's ill-fated 1959 tour) appeared at original venues on original dates as in 1959. Featured act, backed Tommy Allsup and Buddy tribute artist Johnny Rogers.
- Jukebox Memories – Shackshakers with Mitch Ryder, Joey Molland of Badfinger, Jimmy Gilmer of The Fireballs
- Back To The '50s (St. Paul, MN State Fairgrounds) featured performer
Discography
"With Special Guests" (released June 2, 2000) on Daddy-O Records.Guests featured Steve Bloomfield (of British rockabilly group Matchbox
Matchbox (band)
Matchbox is an English rockabilly band that formed in 1971, and is still active .-Career:Matchbox was formed in 1971 by Iain "Houndog" Terry, Fred Poke, Jimmy Redhead and Wiffle Smith. After 1978, the line-up consisted of Graham Fenton , Steve Bloomfield , Gordon Scott , Fred Poke and Jimmy Redhead...
), Bill Cowsill
Bill Cowsill
William "Bill" Cowsill, Jr., also known as Billy, was an American singer best known as lead singer and guitarist of The Cowsills who had three top 10 singles in the late 1960s.-The Cowsills:...
(Cowsills), The Roses (Norman Petty
Norman Petty
Norman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
Studio session vocalists), Joe Terry (Morells/Dave Alvin)