Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dylan James “Boogie Boy” Shaw. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Dylan James “Boogie Boy”, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project I have worked on is the Texas Music Project. TexasMusicProject.org is an amazing organization that has a program called “Music Heals.” The program is for children’s hospitals in Texas, where I was asked to bring hope and healing through my blues music to young patients. I was so happy to do that and spread the blues, which I say is feeling good about feeling bad. My music was shown to all the kids in the hospitals! This made me so happy because I want to give those kids joy too. My life has been really healed through the blues because I am also high functioning Autistic. So, I understand the blues and I understand how it can heal someone. It brings hope through the lyrics and rhythms I play. It brings a sad story to a happier place. It’s real and it’s the truth. So, this is why the Texas Music Project is so meaningful to me. I love it!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
https://www.reverbnation.com/dylanjames6 I am Dylan James “Boogie Boy” Shaw, a 14 year old (almost 15), from Dallas, TX. I am a blues & jazz pianist & vocalist. I’ve been on CBS news, FOX news, won a lot of music scholarships, been broadcast in 177 countries, honored at the Department of Education in Washington, DC, won the House Of Blues award, etc. I have done a lot of musical things in my life so far and I am continuing to do so on a professional level. I love it! My blues grandma and my professional vocalist mom got me into it at age 3 years old. You can read about me on my website. But, what sets me apart is that I have autism. I believe this is a blessing because I remember every song and can play it by ear! I hear the birds singing and can tell you what key it is. I also catch on really fast to piano legends songs and even their personal lead work. I can play it. I am most proud of my mentors, like Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones, Allman Brothers), Bruce Katz (Gregg Allman, Ronnie Earl), Dr. Dyas (Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz), Eric “Scorch” Scortia (Omar & The Howlers). I have the best mentors in the world and they are like my blues family. I am so proud to be taught by them and continue to play their songs and continue this blues tradition on and on. I recently came out with my first professional cd called “Blues Piano Sessions” that is on my website. It was produced by my mom, Christine Winburn, and Eric “Scorch” Scortia on my first Hammond B3 song ever “Moanin.” I am thrilled to have this on Texas & upstate NY radio stations already!! I love the recording studio and will always want to continue working in studios for the rest of my life.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes, my mission is to play stadiums like Wembley Stadium in the UK. If I can play these huge stadiums, I can spread the joy of the blues to everybody around the world. I have already performed for thousands of people, so I feel the thrill of the crowds. I would love to teach the younger generation all about music too. I created a video episode called “Dylan’s Marvelous World Of Music” that teaches the different genres of music. Another mission of mine is to get my show on PBS Kids or Nickelodeon Jr. That would mean the world to me.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Yes, I believe that music is like freedom. It lets you go where you’ve never been before. It lets you experience “the unknown,” as my teacher Bruce Katz says. Music is fun and it makes a person get lost in the chords and rhythms. I love that about music. So, I really feel that people who are not creative would love to feel that freedom if they did something creative. They might feel scared at first. But once they let themselves get creative and do something creative, they would feel so happy like I do. It’s like being free and just doing what makes you feel good. I love music because of that freedom I feel when I play.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reverbnation.com/dylanjames6
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanjamesboogieboyshawmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx4o8hF_NpsWBLqmeL5bfDg
- Other: Electronic Press Kit: https://express.adobe.com/page/y7d1c3Ovb3Ptb/
Image Credits
Bill Cole Photographics Steve Wulf Graphic Design Mark Fletcher Photo