Sharon Shannon

Sharon Shannon is a renowned accordion player from Ireland who has made a name for herself in the world of traditional Irish music. Born on November 8, 1968, in Ruan, County Clare, Shannon was exposed to various forms of music from a young age. Her father, IJ, was well-known in the region for his remarkable accordion playing, and this, along with the fact that her family often hosted musical sessions at their home, instilled in Shannon a deep passion for music from a young age.

Shannon's music career began in the late 1980s, and she quickly gained recognition for her exceptional accordion playing and fiddling skills. Her talent and distinctive style caught the attention of musician Mike Scott, and she was eventually invited to join his band, The Waterboys. It was during her time with the band that Shannon's reputation as a musician began to grow, and she eventually left to pursue a solo career.

In 1991, Shannon released her debut studio album, which became one of the best-selling traditional Irish music albums of all time. Since then, she has released numerous albums and collaborated with several other musicians in the industry, including Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, and Nigel Kennedy.

Shannon's dedication to her craft has earned her several accolades over the years. In 2009, she was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the Meteor Awards, which recognized her contribution to traditional Irish music.

Despite her success, Shannon has remained grounded and humble, and her personality is often described as warm and welcoming. She is deeply passionate about her music and attributes her success to her steadfast commitment to learning and constantly improving her skills.

Before becoming famous, Shannon faced several challenges, including the death of her mother and her own battle with cancer. Despite these setbacks, she persevered and continued to pursue her passion for music, which eventually led her to success and recognition in the industry.

Shannon's family is an important part of her life, and her parents, IJ and Mary Shannon, along with her several siblings, have always been supportive of her career. She is also a loving mother to her children and a devoted partner to her husband.

Shannon has collaborated with several other musicians in the industry, including Sinéad O'Connor, with whom she contributed music for the compilation album Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music. She also counts Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, and John Prine among her friends and colleagues in the industry.