Shannon Slaughter

Award-winning vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Shannon Slaughter has spent decades building a career grounded in great songs, powerful singing and an abiding respect for bluegrass tradition. Whether delivering one of his own compositions or putting his stamp on a carefully chosen song from another writer, Slaughter possesses the kind of instantly recognizable voice and musical personality that have made him a familiar presence on the national bluegrass scene.

In 2026, Shannon began an exciting new chapter in his career by signing with Mountain Fever Records. The partnership introduced a fresh round of music beginning with “Child of the Mountain,” released in June, followed in August by “I Ain’t Done Jack All Day.” Co-written by Shannon and John Clark, the latter is a hard-driving, lighthearted bluegrass number inspired in part by Shannon’s own blue-collar upbringing. Together, the releases demonstrate the range that has long defined his music, from heartfelt storytelling to energetic traditional bluegrass delivered with personality and humor.

Raised in the rural North Florida town of Chiefland, Shannon grew up surrounded by acoustic and country music. His influences ranged from Merle Haggard, Randy Travis and Keith Whitley to Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs and the Osborne Brothers. He began playing guitar at eight years old and was soon singing at churches, livestock fairs and events throughout North Florida.

His professional career began in 1992 with the Lost and Found before he joined the Larry Stephenson Band, recording and touring extensively throughout the United States and Canada and performing on the Grand Ole Opry. Over the years, Shannon has performed and recorded with an impressive list of bluegrass artists, including Lonesome River Band, Lou Reid & Carolina, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Melonie Cannon and Grasstowne.

Songwriting has remained at the heart of Shannon’s career. In 2012, he won the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest with “I’ve Hit Everything in My Life (But My Knees).” His songs have been recorded by Blue Highway, Lonesome River Band, Lou Reid & Carolina, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Mike Bentley & Cumberland Gap Connection and Ernie Thacker. His original gospel composition “It’s So Hard to Stumble (When You’re Down on Your Knees)” earned a DOVE Award nomination in 2010.

Throughout his solo career and work with his own band, Shannon has also enjoyed significant bluegrass radio success while continuing to develop a body of original material that blends traditional bluegrass with acoustic country influences. His recordings reveal a songwriter with an ear for stories that feel lived-in and familiar, paired with one of bluegrass music’s most distinctive voices.

That same personality carries over to the stage. A Shannon Slaughter Band performance is as much about connecting with the audience as showcasing musicianship. Powerful lead singing, tight harmony, inventive instrumental work and Shannon’s playful stage banter combine for a show that can be heartfelt one moment and downright fun the next.

Now recording for Mountain Fever Records and releasing a new generation of music, Shannon Slaughter continues to do what has defined his career from the beginning: honor the traditions that shaped him while creating music that sounds unmistakably like Shannon Slaughter.

Raised in the small Southwest Virginia hamlet of Ararat, mandolin player and harmony singer Ron Inscore is no stranger to bluegrass music. Playing mandolin and guitar since the age of 8, Ron started as part of a duet with first cousin John R. Bowman (Alison Krauss, Boxcars, The Isaacs, Doyle Lawson) at churches and other local events. In the late 1980s, Ron joined the award-winning regional band Appalachian Trail and stayed for several years. After playing with local band Savannah Road (a joint venture he and Slaughter put together), Ron eventually landed a gig with Kenny and Amanda Smith, touring and recording with the duo for three years. 

Since a busy work schedule prevented him from touring full-time, Ron began to moonlight as a fill-in mandolin player for award-winning acts as Mountain Heart and The Boxcars. He joined forces with Slaughters in 2010 and has been their regular touring and recording mandolin player ever since. Ron is first and foremost a patriot and still lives on the family farm with his wife, Tonya. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and collecting various items of American historical memorabilia.

Cliff comes from the small town of Sand Rock, Alabama. He began playing the bass at the early age of nine at his home church of Welcome Hill Baptist. Later in life, his family began playing music together as a group, " The Baileys." They traveled all over Alabama playing and singing at local churches. He continues to play and sing with his family every chance he gets.

The love of God and family are something that music has bestowed in him. Along with Cliff's bass playing, he also has been blessed with the ability to write songs. Two of his original songs have been recorded by Shannon and the band. Cliff is a proud Auburn University graduate, is employed in the poultry industry, and gives all the glory to his Heavenly Father. Cliff enjoys spending time with his wife Makayla and their two daughters, and they make their home in Sand Rock, AL.

More About Shannon Slaughter

Raised in the rural North Florida town of Chiefland, Shannon Slaughter was immersed in acoustic and country music at a young age by his family. His early influences include Merle Haggard, Randy Travis, Tony Rice, Keith Whitley, Ricky Skaggs, and the Osborne Brothers. He began playing guitar at age eight and was soon began singing in churches, livestock fairs, and other venues around the Tri-County area.

Shannon started his professional career with the Lost and Found in 1992, moving to Virginia that summer. In December, Shannon joined the Larry Stephenson Band and was an integral sideman for three years. During his tenure with Larry, Shannon recorded two albums, toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, and performed on the prestigious Grand Ole Opry. In 1995, Shannon teamed with several top-flight Southwest Virginia musicians and created Savannah Road, recording and performing for six years.

After several years off the road, Shannon re-entered the bluegrass scene joining Melonie Cannon in 2004 and 2005. In the fall of 2005, he joined the award-winning Lonesome River Band as their lead vocalist and guitarist touring and recording with the band until 2007. In 2008, he joined Lou Reid and Carolina on vocals and guitar; holding that position until 2012. Most recently, Shannon was guitarist and vocalist in Grasstowne and featured on the album Grasstowne 4.

In his spare time, Shannon enjoys songwriting, singing, and having fun with his children - daughter Rae Carroll, and sons Jed and Call. He also enjoys reading historical fiction, U.S. History, fishing, and playing golf. He has a B.S. Degree from Radford University and an M.A. from Samford University and currently teaches AP US History and Government / Economics at Springville High School in Springville, AL. Shannon is also the offensive line coach for the Springville Tiger Football Team. 

Trevor Watson came from a musical family indoctrinated into the world of bluegrass at an early age. He began playing banjo at age 8 when his dad built him a small-scale banjo. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Trevor became a cast member at The Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach. In 2003, he joined Lou Reid & Carolina, where he is still a band member. He also filled in with the Seldom Scene for about six months before Ben Eldridge officially retired.

Trevor and Shannon have been friends since their college days and continue to enjoy playing music together. He and Shannon played a 4-year stint together with Lou Reid's band. Trevor has also recorded and played several shows with Shannon since he started his solo career.

In November 2023, Trevor released his solo album, Out of the Shadows, which includes guest Shannon Slaughter.