Today we’d like to introduce you to Shonna Bonds.
Shonna, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
You know the saying, “if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life”?…… it’s super true.
I’ve been singing and loving every minute of it since the age of 3.
Although I was born in Dallas, my grandparents raised me in the mid-west, Decatur Illinois to be exact. I started out singing in church, in the little Sunday school choir. They were also huge country music fans, so of course, along with knowing every church hymn, I also knew every Patsy Cline, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Lovelace, Garth Brooks, and George Strait song on the radio. I don’t think my mom ever label me as shy back then, as I would always be front and center and singing the loudest. So, with that type of confidence coming from a 9-year-old, awkwardly skinny kid, who loved to be on stage, she couldn’t help but let me put on my red cowboy hat and sing ‘Cowboy Sweetheart’ at every talent show I could find. I remember one summer, getting to buy a Sega Genesis with the Lion King game included AND a CD/(2-deck) TAPE/RADIO boombox with all my talent show winnings. If had to give this job of mine a start time, it was right then at 9 years old, and I knew this was what I wanted to do for as long as I could.
As I got older, I started listening and singing not only country music, but also pop, rock, and Top 40. I had my 5 favorite artists, I loved Martina McBride’s BIG vocal ability, I was enamored with Shania’s SWAG as well as being a huge Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper and Celine Dion fan, these artists inspired, influenced and shaped who I will later become as a performing artist. Throughout middle school, and high school, I spent most of my weekends doing shows at festivals, fairs and opry houses across the county. For 4 years, I preformed every Friday night at the Bement Country Opry which really gave me a change to hone in on my vocal and performance abilities… as well as help me make my car payment.
My parents always told me it was important to know the business side of performing, not only so I could help manage my career but also to have something to fall back on. I graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois with my BA in Business. Now, equip with a degree and as much performance experience as I could get, I headed to Nashville.
I only spent about 10 months in Nashville. Ironically, a chance performance at The Stage in Nashville, in front of the entertainment director of Cowboys Red River, led me back to Dallas. I moved back to my birth state early 2006 to become the lead female singer at Cowboy’s. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of blessed opportunities, experiences and performances. I’ve co-owned and fronted a widely successful cover band in Dallas, called Time Machine, opened for numerous celebrity artists, been on tour, spent 3 years in Branson, Missouri as the female lead singer at the Pierce Arrow Theater, released 3 solo albums, made it to Season 10 of The Voice, and most recently have started a successful country cover band called Haywire, and am now working on my first original project with a new up and coming country band called Vaudevylle, All of which aren’t nearly as rewarding as being a mommy to my two super awesome amazing kids, Levi and Riley Lemons.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Until now, I’ve not had the opportunity to successfully create, write, and perform my own music and to be honest, its super exhilarating, scary and nerve wracking trying to find the confidence to put yourself out there and hope people like what they hear. I joined Vaudeville early this year and so far, it’s been an exciting ride. We have linked in with music exec Jake McKim (Beyonce, Maddie & Tae) who then introduced us to Nashville mega hit songwriter Ashley Gorley. From that meeting we have written songs with Shane Stevens (Carrie Underwood/Lady Antebellum), Maddie Marlow (Maddie and Tae), Jim Collins (Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney), Jerry Flowers (Sam Hunt), Most recently we opened for Zane Williams at Gas Monkey Bar and Grill as well as released our first single, “Mr. Bluebird” on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play. Vaudevylle band members include Jude Dyllan (guitar/producer/vocal/songwriter), Steven Jay Wilson (bass, vocals, songwriter); and Billy Walker (drums/vocal/songwriter).
How can artists connect with other artists?
I really think social media has made it easier than ever for any and all artist to connect. There are tons of public groups on Facebook, lots of blog forums, Instagram pages, literally the options are endless in finding artists like you. “Dallas Cover Musicians and Bands” is a public group on Facebook where local bands, musician’s singers can post their gigs, and share opportunities and such. Almost like a classified page for local musicians. I’m pretty sure there is a Facebook group dedicated to just about every type of artistry there is, where you can share ideas, stories and opportunities.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
VAUDEVYLLE:
You can keep up with Vaudevylle’s performance dates, song releases, and videos on our Facebook page.
Vaudevylle – Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Vaudevylle/
You can download Vaudevylle’s new single, “Mr.Bluebird” on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play and Amazon Music.
our newest single, “Keep It Simple” will be released in July.
HAYWIRE BAND:
Haywire band plays locally and all over the states of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. We are available for private events and clubs and our Facebook page and website lists our upcoming events!
https://www.facebook.com/HaywireBandTexas/
www.haywire
Contact Info:
- Email: shonnabonds13@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shonnabonds
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shonnabonds1
Image Credit:
Ronnie Jackson Photography
Greg Roach Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
