My first gig ever was a vacation bible school at the age of eight. I wasn’t good enough to play “Go Tell It On The Mountain”, on trumpet so my teacher gave me a little Indian drum to play – hoping I wouldn’t feel left out. Instead of feeling left out, the moment I hit that drum I knew I had found my instrument. My first band was with my brother, Brad in a group called THE NEW WAVERLY FRONTMEN. We eventually became THE DINGOS then GROOVE TAXI. We played together for about five years.

Through the years as we were playing out, other musicians spotted me and would ask me to sit in with them. Early on I got a gig with PAUL  BEASLY, whom is with MOONSHINE STILL. While playing at O’Charley’s in Knoxville, TN – I met up with two guys that I would play with quite a bit. They were TALL PAUL and DAVID LANDEO. I played my first gig with TALL PAUL at my dad’s restaurant in 1992.

We played TALL PAUL’s song, “Won’t Be Lonely”. A couple of month’s later I started playing out around town and got my first regular gig with DAVID LANDEO every Wednesday night at a bar called The Spot Patio Bar. From then on I was a full-time musician.

I had the honor of regularly playing and recording with TALL PAUL for four years and most recently recorded with him on his excellent October CD. I have played with DAVID LANDEO since 1995 and recorded with him on his, Bang Time & the Canine Way CD. I have written songs such as Colorado Sky and co-wrote, "Chilidogs and Cold Beer” on DAVID LANDEO’S newest album. 

I was a founding member of the band ST. SOMEWHERE and played percussion on their CD, “Postcard”. During my time with ST. SOMEWHERE I was privileged to record and play live with GREG “FINGERS” TAYLOR of JIMMY BUFFETT fame.

After many years and countless shows as a member of a group or as a sideman for other projects( I played 329 gigs my last year fulltime in the business) I decided to take some time off. My “hiatus” lasted about three and half years. In 2004, the time came when I was ready to get back into the groove. I met A1A JAKE and MIKE SCHULTZ at Largo Beach. We talked about putting a new group together. I liked what I heard and eagerly jumped on board as a member of the HALF CONCHED BAND. 

 I joined up with my younger brother, RYAN SHELEY’s group HOMEMADE WINE in 2008. I am excited about this group and the music and friendships we are building. I look forward to meeting ya’ll at one of our shows!

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