Shannon Wurst

Ozark Americana. New Single: Born to Chase Storms out Feb. 24th My songwriting philosophy is simple: a song succeeds when it has both tension and hope.

Working in an eclectic mix of genres, from my foundation in bluegrass and folk to related traditions in R&B and classic rock, I write and sing in a style that express both the grittiness of the world and the clarity we find when we take the time to process and reflect. In my writing, I use truth-telling as a technique to explore the value of connection, relationship, and self-knowledge—honoring th

e difficulties therein and celebrating what’s working. My lyrics frequently explore personal memory as a tool for forward motion in a wider public sense, inviting listeners to connect with an emotional reality, to feel anchored for a few minutes when the world feels distressing, and to look generously at one another. I believe in music’s power to evoke empathy and encourage understanding, and I aim for people listening to my music to feel both soothed and moved toward honest reflection on their place in the world. What is your history with music? I grew up in a musical family. My dad played a lot of rock and roll and country. My stepdad is a blue grass picker. I grew up singing within both of those genres … I started taking guitar lessons when I was 16 and then I started picking it up on my own and played throughout college. It’s been in the last six years or so I’ve been doing it full time for my living. I’m lucky enough to be a part of the Arkansas Arts Council Touring Artists Registry, so I get to go into schools and libraries and do writing workshops with kids and adults. What inspires your music? I really love stories. I love hearing other people’s stories. I’m also inspired a lot in nature and being out in the woods. A lot of my songs are inspired by a job I had as a dog musher. A lot of it is just from my life experiences and other people’s stories and also that of nature. I create the music that is in my heart and I feel like I want to express to people. I’m lucky enough to have a small niche and a small fan base that supports what I do. It’s not to promote my music to this large genre that people are really use to but to provide a service to those who are interested in my type of music. What have been your accomplishments in your music career to date? I feel like my greatest accomplishment is all the great friends and musicians I’ve met and got to play with along the way. That’s what keeps me going and writing songs are the people who come to my shows and I have these personal connections with. I do a lot of home concerts so I get to dip into these people lives. I want to make the personal connection with all of these people that wouldn’t have been possible without the music.

28/10/2023

We’re costuming up for a family show at the Jones Center today at 2.

28/10/2023

Looking to get out of the weather today? Come get dolly with us at at the Jones Center! We’re playing a Halloween themed kids/family show at 2pm. $5 at the door. Costumes encouraged!

25/10/2023

I’m excited to play for a special event tonight with Brad Helms for the Rural Renaissance Roadshow by Groundswell at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art! I love working with people who are making our world a better place. We’ll be entertaining rural leaders from across the US and Groundswell’s mission is to equip them to build thriving local clean energy futures. Also, we’d love to play your private party too😘

20/10/2023

Tomorrow will be our only public performance for Bear State of Mind. This is a play for families about Arkansas featuring my music!! Hope you’ll come!!

https://triketheatre.org/childrens-theatre-plays/bear-state-of-mind/

07/10/2023

Sometimes my favorite photos are the ones I didn’t know I was even taking!

04/10/2023

I can’t wait to start rehearsals next week for the “Bear State of Mind” play. I’ve written the music for the production and will be acting in it as well!! Big shoutout to for writing such an awesome play!

03/10/2023

Happy to be writing songs today with . We wrote a fun up tempo number last night called “Queen of the a Wild and Free”. There’s some talk of taking it to the studio soon so stay tuned❤️

02/10/2023

Together again! Excited to be writing songs at with !

24/09/2023

I had the pleasure of spending the morning in the studio with my talented band mates at in Fayetteville, Ar. We are working on a project in collaboration with one of the most gifted teachers I know, Martha Sandven . She will be giving a keynote about how essential JOY is in the classroom. I’m honored to have my song “Sipping on Sunshine” included in her presentation.

19/09/2023

Song circle in the Pecan Grove in Winfield, Kansas. Loved getting to spend time with family and friends making music! This place is near and dear to me. I always leave more inspired than I came. Thanks for the pic!

15/05/2023

Big thanks to for the incredible space to collaborate with other songwriters! Today I wrote with the incredibly genius songwriter, from the Netherlands. We were inspired by chatting about life and all the changes it brings. I’ll be paired with writers throughout the week and we’ll perform songs written this week at Freshgrass in Bentonville on Friday at 4pm.

11/05/2023

I’ve been working extra hard in physically therapy ya’ll and I’m getting so much stronger. I can walk up stairs! Soon I’ll be training to jump and then run. I’m excited for these up coming shows- the first ones in a long while! May 19th at Freshgrass with Freshsongs in Bentonville. May 23 at Meteor Gallery in Bentonville. May 26 with the band including Ed Carr at Memorial Park in Siloam Springs. ❤️

03/05/2023

26/04/2023

Bring It On Myself Song written by JrSOAPbox and performed by Shannon Wurst, Ed Carr, Dan Redman, and David Bright. shannonwurst.com

14/04/2023

New single coming April 21st!

14/04/2023

Get ready to rock the night away on May 26 with the Shannon Wurst Band and special guest guitarist Ed Carr in beautiful downtown Siloam Springs! We’re kicking off this summer series and ready to help you celebrate the season. Bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy an unforgettable concert event featuring our Ozark Americana music. Mark your calendars and join us for a night of fun and music under the stars!

13/04/2023

Need a writing prompt? Describe a nostalgic memory of a place you once loved, using sensory language. I’ll go first:

“I miss the orange marmalade carpet in my grandparents living room”

This is the open lyric to “Memories I Hold”, which will be released on April 21!

11/04/2023

I’m looking for a caption or the perfect song for this photo. I’ve got a couple ideas but I want to hear yours!

11/04/2023

I need your advice. I am working on the album cover for my next single release "Memories I Hold". Photo 1 or Photo 2 for the cover? (Both photos were taken by the amazing Kat Wilson)

31/03/2023

I’m 1 month post-op from ACL and meniscus surgery. I’ll talk putting weight on my leg this week! Only one more month on crutches. Haven’t been playing much, but today I’m working on new and old songs with some good friends.

24/03/2023

I’ll be releasing my new single “Memories I Hold" on April 21st. I’m working on the cover art and will be sharing with you soon!

21/03/2023

This is my favorite family portrait of us and it was taken by my favorite photographer, Kat Wilson, as part of her Habitat Project. Gosh, the kiddos have grown! Do you have a favorite family portrait? I'd love to see it. Share it in the comments!

20/03/2023

My newsletter subscribers will get an early listen to my upcoming track, "Memories I Hold”! The track goes live on April 21st. If you’d like to be an email subscriber, just message me your email address!

15/03/2023

Don't forget to take some time to smell the flowers! Big thanks to for these beautiful flowers and photoshoot awhile back! I’ve had some down time while my knee is healing and been loving looking through the last few years of photos on my phone!

11/03/2023

It takes a village, right? These folks are a big part of my village. This is a throwback from Merlefest in North Carolina where I had the honor of singing my song “Better Than Bourbon” in the country category of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. So glad my family got to come and enjoy the fest. This village - along will many other wonderful souls- have been life savers over the last 10 days since knee surgery. The first week was brutal, but now the pain is manageable. I feel like I’m back to the land of the living! I have less than 3 weeks left on the leg moving machine that I use for 8 hrs each day. I’m gonna spare you the super gross pics of my knee when they took all the staples out yesterday. 🤮 Feel free to leave me a hello in the comments-I’ll just be here scrolling IG, listening to James Taylor, and soaking up some rest on the beautifully overcast day. 😊

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Got to hear Lily Mae and her incredible sisters with Layla herself at Laylas. What a treat!

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http://www.shannonwurst.com/