Shane Douglas is a smoking guitar player well known in the Nashville music scene. Music runs through his veins from his West Virginia roots. His fans love hearing him play the Blues, in addition to Pop, Rock, Country, Bluegrass and all things Americana. Shane can hang with the best “chicken pickers” and “guitar slingers” in town!  

On top of knowing nearly every song you can request, Shane is also an awesome songwriter. He has published five albums with more on the way. He is part of longest running jam around Nashville that has been thriving for 22 years. He also performs every Friday night at The Smyrna VFW, just south of Nashville, where he holds a 16 year and still counting, residency. That speaks to his ability to entertain and consistently draw great crowds. It is always a fun time and a great show no matter where he plays. While committed to these endeavors, he is looking for new challenges to showcase his talents nationally and internationally.  

Record scratch….. Errrrrrtch!

  I asked my friends Steve and Susie Hardesty to write a bio for my website. They did a great job! Thank you! I aspire and hope to be all those wonderful things they said about me!

But at this point in my life, I feel I should be open and honest with anyone willing to take the time to listen to my music or come see a show. Hopefully both! Thanks in advance. I have done this all my life. Giving up isn’t an option. Music won’t let me rest. But I’ll admit I have been coasting along for a few years. Not sure where I fit in or if I was even viable as a songwriter and artist anymore, if ever. That all changed in September 2022.

Some things can only happen in Nashville. That’s why I moved here 30 years ago. The day before I turned 18 I left Hedgesville WV for Nashville TN. I was following the dream of music. Still am.

Nashville is where it happens. Songs are born. Stars are made. Dreams come true. But for many like myself, Nashville is the “in between”. The place you left home for, and the place you can’t leave, because it has became home.

Success is measured in many ways. I have spent years making a living with music. Doing what I love and getting paid for it. Success right? Yes. But not as I measured it as an 18 year old. The 18 year old in me is disappointed. The 48 year old is so grateful. Somewhere in between that is the unrequited love of music and Nashville.

I met Iain Marshall at one of the thousands of gigs I have played. Just another gig. But Nashville can make just another mundane gig turn into a magical one. He was visiting from the U.K. and caught my set. We struck up a friendship and have continued it for several years now. Only meeting in person 3 times. The bond was set. Friends you meet in Nashville are special. It’s a special place and the people it attracts are special too. It’s like we are in on a secret. We have been here, seen it, experienced it and others just wouldn’t understand. Through Iain I met Steve and George (in Nashville!). And a movie was born.

They have a real genuine interest in American Roots Music. They invited me on a road trip from Nashville Tn to Hedgesville W.V., my hometown, to explore Appalachian music and heritage. They hoped to get a better understanding of the musical culture and heritage of the area. I hoped to revisit some of the wonder I felt as a child when I first discovered music.

This opportunity came when I really needed it. I needed the trip to renew my musical fire. Nashville will grind you. Hone your craft to a fine point. But then dull your desire and dampen your fire. I sometimes take for granted the wondrous world I live in. They were inspired enough by this world to fly from the U.K. and drive 1200 miles to explore it. Seems I had forgotten the power of music. So off I went to find it. And find it I did.

Our first stop was The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival. They were so excited to explore all the artists and their music, it was infectious to me. So I turned off any preconceived notions I had and really made an effort to see and hear with a new curiosity and appreciation. It worked. I thoroughly enjoyed it. We met so many wonderful, friendly people who were there to share the love of music.It was refreshing and invigorating to me. Serendipity followed us everywhere.

We met and had a great history lesson with W. Bill Smith, who hosts the weekly radio show The Crooked Road. Then by chance we met Oscar Harris who gave us a tour of The Carter Family Fold. He was so accommodating and nice, I felt like I had known him my whole life. We played “Wildwood Flower” with him on autoharp and myself on guitar. A full circle moment because that is the first song my Dad taught me.

As a kid music was everything! Every sound was mystery. Every song was new. Every chord I learned opened doors to more chords. Every time I played only made me want to play more. It was endlessly fascinating. I played because I loved it. Mom and Dad would take me to parties, square dances, clubs anywhere there was music. A simpler time in my life when music helped me make sense of the world. Now my world was being brightened by music once again.

Several stops and countless laughs later, we made it to my hometown. There I put together a show to recreate a little of what I experienced as a kid. Everyone jamming and having a great time sharing music. I invited lots of friends and we had a huge party and jam session. It was so much fun! A great night of music and friendship. Music was making me fall in love with it again.

So 30 years later I made the trip in reverse. I found a little of the reason I started down this path in the first place. I came home to Nashville on a mission. To make more music and get out there and share it with as many music fans as I can.

So I am working on a new album. I know it will be my most personal one to date. I hope you will give it a listen when it’s ready.

This has all been documented in the movie

Portrait of Shane Douglas.

That you can see here.

Along the way there have been many unexpected turns and surprises.

But so far following the dream of music has been a great ride.

And I’m just getting started!