Whiskey Jack Untz

Mark Lonsway 

Though he will be the last to brag on himself or his accomplishments, in the music world, Mark Lonsway is a force to be reckoned with. Not only is Mark a producer, engineer, songwriter and sideman with access to some of the best stages and studios in the country, he also performs his own, original music like a true artist.   

Mark began his recording career in 1996 when he signed with 312 Records while playing with Azure Bloom; the band released Looking Is Free, receiving moderate radio airplay for the debut. In 2003, he released his first independent solo record, Not Your Typical Cowboy, produced by recent Grammy award-winning producer Doug Sisemore (Reba McEntire). That record was an immediate success, garnering national airplay and landing him several awards, including industry songwriting awards. 

In 2005, Mark moved to Nashville to further his career as an artist. Since then, he has become a sought-after guitarist and background singer in multiple genres, touring the country and internationally with Ashley Campbell, Mickey Guyton and Terri Clark. Mark also has opened, as both an artist and a sideman, for several national acts, including Willie Nelson, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Kris Kristofferson and Blake Shelton. 

In addition to concerts and other live events, Mark has performed on several television shows such as the Today show, CBS Sunday Morning and Good Morning America. His singing and songwriting have been featured in various national commercials for Allstate, Busch Beer and McDonald’s, among others. Mark has also composed several songs for television shows and movies, most recently featured in the hit television series, Orange Is the New Black. 

Shannon Cain  

His first year in Nashville, Texas transplant Shannon Cain quickly earned the nickname “The Texas Rocket.” Shannon’s performances displayed a rare intensity, a noticeable presence. Offering a wide range of styles, often incorporating his signature bluesy licks and heavy grooves, and a strong dynamic range to his catalogue, Shannon’s songs and performance won over audiences. With intricate and well-crafted lyrics, his work made critics take notice.  

In that first Nashville year, Shannon was approached by indie label, Prime Cut Records, to serve as its flagship artist. His Prime Cut debut, Like I Never Fell Down, resulted in Shannon being selected as the RadioFree Texas Artist of the Month, as featured finalist in the annual W.B. Stevenson Songwriting Competition (Dallas, TX) and as a headlining artist at Cadillac Ranch in Nashville for Country Radio Seminar. Shannon was also selected as featured artist for several radio and internet shows, including Billy Block’s Locals Only Live on WKDF-Nashville and Music City Unsigned in conjunction with 96.7 JACK FM-Nashville. Shannon’s television performances include appearances on Nashville’s Writer in the Round with Don McNatt and as co-feature on the pilot episode of Nashville Unleashed.  

In 2006, when severe illness made it physically and financially impossible for Shannon to continue his full-band shows at some of Nashville’s premiere venues, it looked like the Texas Rocket had run aground. But, over the next few years, Shannon made a full recovery and emerged as a strong performing songwriter and acoustic artist, garnering notoriety and frequent weekend shows in storied songwriter venues, such as the Bluebird Café, and selling out regular shows at the 250-seat Listening Room Café (Nashville).  

Presenting a broad range of styles while extending warmth and intimacy through well-crafted stories and segues, Shannon is a draw at listening rooms, house concerts and theaters. His strong vocals and stagecraft give his shows versatility and range. Regardless the venue, Shannon is known for delivering performances that move and engage audiences.