Shawn Mullins Moves Forward

Shawn Mullins really had the indie life down. Over eight years, the Atlanta singer/songwriter/DIY guru released eight albums on his SMG Records label, selling an estimated 30,000 copies from the back of his van as he toured, playing at clubs, coffeehouses, and bars around the country.

Then, once modern rock station WNNX (99X) Atlanta started spinning the track "Lullaby" two years ago, Columbia Records signed the artist, and re-released his 1998 album, "Soul's Core."

"It's a Cinderella story," says Greg Linn, senior director of marketing for Columbia. "But, underlying that, it wasn't overnight -- he had lots of mileage."

Mullins has fond memories of that time. "That was a really neat time for me, a rebirth," he says. "I had been getting ready to give up the idea of ever coming out bigger when it went on the radio."

Following two exciting years, including the top 10 success of "Lullaby," platinum certification for "Core," and a Grammy nomination, as well as an exhausting touring schedule -- touring the U.S. eight times and Europe three times within that time frame -- Mullins returns with his first set of new material as a Columbia artist. The album, "Beneath The Velvet Sun," hits stores October 31.

"I'm totally excited about it. I think it's my best recording," says the artist. "As long as you keep moving forward, you feel good as an artist."

And Mullins certainly has moved forward since his early days, learning guitar and piano as the preteen grandson of a bass player. "I grew up with lots of ideas and opportunities," he says. "My parents would do anything they could to make it really happen."

Mullins made his first recordings during a stint as a paratrooping lieutenant in the Army. Despite the seeming contradiction between the strictness of the military world and the creativity of being a musician, Mullins says that the two facets of his life had much in common.

"The disciplines are really similar," he says. "You need self-discipline to jump out of a plane or to survive as a musician. It comes from the same place."

Amid his booming popularity, Mullins was tapped to cover a pair of classic rock tunes for motion pictures. A remake of David Bowie's "Changes" was recorded for the soundtrack of "The Faculty," and a cover of George Harrison's "What Is Life" was included in the Adam Sandler film "Big Daddy."

"They had the song picked out. I'd never covered a Beatles tune in front of anybody. It's just something I don't mess with. I think I'd rather hear the Beatles," jokes Mullins.

Both soundtrack cuts were included on "The First Ten Years," a 1999 retrospective on Columbia that compiled songs from the SMG catalog.

In recording the new record, the major-label budget was a perk for Mullins, who was once accustomed to making albums for $5,000. Now able to expand his options in the studio, he collaborated with two successful rock/pop producers. Julian Raymond, producer for Fastball, was at the helm for sessions in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, while Anthony J. Resta, who produced Collective Soul's current "Blender" set, handled the remainder of Mullins' project, recorded in an Atlanta warehouse.

Columbia labelmate Shawn Colvin makes an appearance on the album, singing background vocals on the country-tinged "Somethin' To Believe In."

"We had met in an airport and showered each other with compliments," says Mullins. "I was so moved that she even knew who I was, since I was so into her. I kept my eyes on Columbia from that point."

Despite the move to the majors, Mullins' mode of songwriting hasn't changed much. Several of his trademark character studies, made famous in "Lullaby," are included on "Velvet Sun." He explains, "What's changed is that I'm traveling by plane and bus, not by van and foot, so the environment might change."

The album comprises a smorgasbord of musical genres. Mullins works with twangy country on "Lonesome, I Know You Too Well," raps on top of the drum-machine pop of "Up All Night," and makes like a Kentuckian on the bluegrass-esque "Yellow Dog Song."

"Anyone that truly loves music isn't too worried about the labels tacked onto it," says the musician, whose influences range from Billy Joel and Elton John to Kris Kristofferson and Lauryn Hill. Mullins also mixes in some straightforward pop/rock tunes, including the first single, "Everywhere I Go." The track shipped to hot AC, modern AC, and triple-A radio on September 12 and is already getting major-market airplay.

Despite Mullins' enormous breakthrough success on the pop charts, Linn is quick to remind that Mullins isn't a one-hit wonder. "There are plenty of people who only knew "Lullaby,' but he's so much more than that. A number of stations played [follow-up single] "Shimmer,' and it was included on the "Dawson's Creek' soundtrack. And this one has the potential to be even bigger."

In the end, for Mullins, it all comes down to the music. "I've always been moved by music, and it blows me away that I've done that for other people. I get letters that move me to tears. It's nice to know that music can help."

© Billboard