Shannon Rhodes: The Soul Channeler

The hardest thing to deal with in the music industry is trying to figure out where I fit in and when will I get my chance..." 

Shannon Rhodes was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, home to some of the most gifted musicians to hit the mainstream airwaves, such as the impeccable John Legend. Some have dubbed her a triple threat in the music industry: she sings, she writes her own lyrics, and plays the piano, and she can even throw down in the studio. She has the fortitude to make her mark in Neo Soul by tirelessly working at her craft and creating melodies that will make anyone get into a funky groove. Whether it's in the studio creating funky beats or songwriting, those emotions of love and passion dwell deep inside her unleashed through powerful voice.  

Tonight, she happens to be putting together her set for this Saturday's performance at the Pleasanton County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California. No there will not be a piano on hand for her to dazzle her new fans, unless Babyface, who is also performing, pulls out his own piano magic. Whatever surprises she has in store for the audience you can be sure she will sing until everyone is grooving right along with her. 

Her mother and grandmother have always fostered her gift of music guiding her with wisdom and unconditional love. Whether it was the organ she grew up playing given to her by her grandmother or the rock solid advice from her mother that gave her more than enough strength to keep playing the piano, to keep singing until she could sing no more, and even then Shannon would not give up. Her hopes and her dreams are intertwined by her neo-souls roots which have grown into a supernatural harvest, producing an abundance of talent that has given her a unique spin on the neo-soul genre.  

It is those same roots that have encircled her with a plethora of musical talents and entertainers. Her father played guitar and bass with Bootsy Collins, her cousin is Louis Gossett, Jr., her mentor is Roy Ayers, Teddy Pendergrass, another distant relative, and the list goes on. Music and talent are in her blood. Her time to shine is inevitable. 

As she breaks out into song over the phone, I can hear her voice and her melodies which remind me of a mix of Karyn White and Chaka Khan, and her smooth funky piano playing had the spirit of Herbie Hancock. I wonder how many hours, years even, this songstress has given her heart and soul to the music. Her music. She says her musical influences are Stevie Wonder to which she sang a touching rendition of his iconic Superwoman song, Roy Ayers who is the self-proclaimed originator of the Neo Soul movement whose body of work stems back from the 1970's to the reigning Queen of R & B, Mary J. Blige, and the numerous songstresses in the music industry that share the powerhouse vocals that Shannon was born with. 

Her debut song Never Again is a song she wrote that really captured her beginning Neo Soul roots. She has remixed the song capturing the Southern movement of heavy drums and high hats, get a little sexy with it. She loves the new remix. 

Come check out this fiery Neo Soul vocalist Shannon Rhodes will perform live, along with Babyface and others, at the Alameda Fair as a part of the Big O Concert Series on Saturday, June 29th at the Safeway Amphitheater.

Entrance is free with paid fair admission!

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