Gospel music has been the life of Shannon Bunch. Shannon has been in church since his birth in 1974, singing at the age of three, playing the piano at the age of four, and dreaming of the day he could be on a stage sharing his heart with the world. As a child growing up in Barbourville, Kentucky, he attended area gospel concerts and faithfully listened to gospel radio to keep up with professionals like the Nelons, the Happy Goodmans, Florida Boys, and the Hinsons. Shannon knew early on there was a call on his life to share his talents as the “big time” groups were doing. Even as a teenager, he began making trips to Nashville, TN to knock on the doors of record companies and publishers to hand out demos. When he was 15 years old he even went to audition for the opportunity to perform at one of America’s premiere theme parks, Opryland USA in Nashville. Shannon recalls, “I didn’t know I was only to sing sixteen bars of my best piece so I sat down at the piano with a song I had just written for the audition and started from the top.” One of the judges stood from their seat and walked toward the piano while I was still singing. I thought to myself that he is coming over to ask me to stop. On the contrary as he walked closer I could see the pleasant expression on his face. He then stood in the curve of the grand piano and awaited my completion. After being allowed to perform an entire song he was then informed I was not old enough to work for the company. He expressed his disappointment. But it didn’t even come close to mine. So with a “thank you” I exited the stage. However, Shannon’s focus would not be hindered. He continued to send demos and press kits while singing locally in eastern Kentucky. Then in 1995 a childhood dream would begin to unfold with one phone call from Jim Glass, owner and manager of the legendary Telestials. They were in need of a pianist and Shannon was recommended. Shannon made the journey to Nashville that November to meet the group and audition for the part. If accepted, this would be an awesome opportunity to travel with Dove and Grammy nominated artists. While Shannon’s excitement was building, the Telestials then-resigning pianist decided to stay on indefinitely. It appeared that another opportunity to travel and sing professionally had passed by him. Only two months later he would get another call from Glass that he had the job if he was still interested. After considering the offer for 30 seconds, Shannon accepted to go on the road for a trial period of six weeks. After six weeks, it was settled. Shannon would work tirelessly to achieve the standard of playing that a legendary group needed. He soon became noted as one of the most energetic performers in the industry. But this dream was being overshadowed with a sickness that had plagued Shannon for almost two years. In 1994 Shannon was diagnosed with clinical-manic depression. This would be a part of his life that would last nearly four years. After battling with suicide for 2 ½ years, the physical side of this illness began to take its toll. He soon learned that fulfillment of dreams does not take away hurt and pain. Days on the road would come and go when it was all he could do to perform each night. Shannon says, “What was so amazing is the number of people who would approach me after a concert to tell me how blessed they were by my ministry. I often saw people healed and delivered from various illnesses including depression and I could never understand why God was using me to minister healing to others and then pass me by. It was like God’s virtue was enough to heal everyone but me.” Job knew first-hand how it felt to have pressure, anxiety and depression in life. Shannon relates his pain to Job chapter 17. Job said, “…my breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. My days are past; my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother and my sister. And where is now my hope? As for my hope, who shall see it? They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. …” In other words the only rest would come when death took over. But Shannon had been brought up in a strong Christian heritage and taught that nothing is impossible with God and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and so begins the next chapter of his life. In late 1996 while on the road with the Telestials God came on the scene. In the back lounge of a Silver Eagle bus in Quitman, GA, Shannon told God he couldn’t go any further unless there was divine intervention. Shannon had become so ill he had already given his resignation with the group sometime earlier. Not only did the Lord begin the healing process and deliverance from depression but also called him to preach! Right there, right then! In the midst of adversity, God’s word resounded, “…in this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” And through Him we are more the conquerors. Today Shannon has become of the most loved artists in gospel music. This is evident by his radio success. Just in 2006 Shannon has managed to have a song in the Gospel Music charts almost every month including his first top 40 Song for September. Shannon currently resides in the Nashville suburb of Gallatin, Tennessee with his wife, Melissa. His ministry and career are still growing by leaps and bounds. While supporting and visiting a mission work in Venencia, Mexico, still he works approximately 100 dates per year traveling most of the United States. As you see with Shannon Bunch it is not a matter of what, where, when, why or how. There is ALWAYS A SONG. Current Bullets: New radio single It All Starts with a Song (co-written with Daryl Williams) shipped nation-wide September 15, 2006 It All Starts with a Song is nominated and received DJ Pick Hit for November 2006. Shannon to be a featured artist in the Singing News Magazine in February 2007. New album Take Me There scheduled for release early 2007. A Bunch of Facts: Shannon has worked in the studio with Roger and Debra Talley, Dean and Kim Hopper, Shannon Childress, Eddie Crook, Shane Roark, Milena Parks not to mention some of this country’s finest musicians. Shannon records for Sanctuary Records, which is a division of Chapel Valley Studios. Shannon has worked concerts on the road he has worked concerts with almost everyone including The McKameys, Singing Cookes, the entire Spencer Family (J.B., Barbara, Wade and Kevin), Heirline and the Whisnants just to name a few. Off the road Shannon has had personal writing instruction from Jim Black of the Solid Gospel Network who is also a former SESAC leader and former member of the Chuck Wagon Gang and Daryl Williams. Daryl is a former member of the Speers & a regular on the Gaither Homecoming Videos. Shannon has recorded 6 albums with the most recent Always a Song. The new album contains a few remakes of gospel music classics like, Goin’ Up Yonder, Long As I Got King Jesus, It Is Well and Dottie Rambo’s The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me. As usual, several original compositions appear on the latest album. Shannon supports a mission work in Venecia, Mexico, which provides resources for a church, a Christian school, medical treatment for the underprivileged and transportation of needed items to the area. Shannon feels it is not only a good gesture but a fulfillment of a mandate given by Christ to “…go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every living creature…." Television Appearances: Country Gospel Tonight with Rev. Jimmy Snow (son of Grand Ole Opry Star, Hank Snow) Plus or Minus 60 program with Denny and Marge Hazen in Canton, OH Living Faith Television Network in Abingdon, VA Gospel Music Television Southern Style Praise- Knoxville, TN World Premiere- Pigeon Forge, TN Achievements & Misc: First Top 80 Hit, February 2006 - The Harvest Is Ripe, charting 4 consecutive months topping out at #46. First Top 40 Hit, September 2006 – One Day My Day Will Come, charting 4 consecutive months, topping out at #36. One Day My Day Will Come charts at #38 in Nashville’s CashBox Magazine for November 2006. Interviewed with Paul Heil and The Gospel Greats Labor Day Weekend 2006, which aired on over 250 national radio markets. Performed five shows at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN in Octboer 2006 Currently heavy airplay on XM Satellite Radio Performer for 10th Anniversary 2006 World Premier Concerts- Pigeon Forge, TN Performer on a National Quartet Convention sanctioned showcase, September 2006. Heritage Communications currently managing radio distribution. Radio promotions are managed exclusively by Shannon & Melissa Bunch References: Les Butler, Nashville, TN, Solid Gospel Network, Salem Music Network, Singing News Magazine Zane King, Nashville, TN National Quartet Convention, Journey Records Jim Black, Nashville, TN Salem Music Network, DeVille Productions Jim Glass, Nashville, TN Telestials Pastor Herschel Walker, Corbin, KY Hopewell Baptist Church Steve Galiher Hendersonville, TN Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)