Shawn M. Mitchell - Guitar and Vocals

What first got you interested in music? 

My dad played guitar (a result of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show), playing mostly The Beatles, Wings and Byrds songs around the house on an acoustic. I wanted to play like him when I was a kid.

What instruments can you competently play? Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums and Kazoo

What was the name of each band you were in:

Rumors
Heirophant
Joyride
China Cat
Vertigo Haze
Shawn Mitchell and The Close Call Band
Vertigo Haze
Jump The Gun

What are the top 10 albums or CDs of all time in your opinion?

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys
Dreamboat Annie – Heart
Everybody Loves A Happy Ending – Tears For Fears
Oranges and Lemons – XTC
Band On The Run – Paul McCartney and Wings
Dark Side Of The Moon – Pink Floyd
Abbey Road – The Beatles
Red Rose Speedway – Paul McCartney and Wings
No Dice - Badfinger

What are the top 5 songs of all time in your opinion?

The Rain Song – Led Zeppelin
London Town – Wings
Keep Your Love Alive – Heart
She Said, She Said – Gov’t Mule (Originally by The Beatles)
Can’t Find My Way Home – Blind Faith

Name a few of your favorite live albums
"How The West Was Won"- Led Zeppelin
"24 Nights"- Eric Clapton
"Live at The BBC" - Badfinger
"Live At The Hollywood Bowl" - The Beatles
"Wings Over America" - Wings

What is your favorite JTG song that you currently play? “Driving In Spirals”

What is your favorite JTG that is rarely or no longer played at shows? “I Can't”

Name some artists and some of their works that you might be ashamed to mention in public.

Duran Duran – Say A Prayer
Huey Lewis and The News – Sports and Fore!
Men At Work – Overkill

Name some big name musicians that you have warmed up for or had an association to be around with otherwise. Please share those stories.

Joey Molland’s Badfinger – Vertigo Haze’s first scheduled performance was opening for Badfinger at The Flood Zone in Richmond, VA. I got to talk with Joey in his hotel room about the music business and his history with The Beatles.

Black Elvis – I was at a Jimmy Buffet concert in Virginia Beach, VA tailgating in the parking lot. I was playing my acoustic to a small crowd and Black Elvis came up to me and asked to sing with me, we did “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Heartbreak Hotel”.