"She's a star on the rise" quotes Beat Magazine.

"Music has always played a big part in my life and will continue to influence and shape who I am" states Shannon.

With the formation of her new band "The Diamondback Band" in May 2001, Shannon Raye has been taking the Indiana Country Scene by storm. "I really think we've got a great band, and I am so excited to see where it will lead" says the blonde haired singer from Crown Point, Indiana.

Since unveiling her new fully electric group -Diamondback - Shannon's career has stepped into the fast lane. So much so, that she opened for Clint Black, Trick Pony, Yankee Grey and was invited by the White Sox to sing the national anthem at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

During their first year together, they won both "Local" and "State" competition rounds in the 2001 True Value Country Showdown. They went on to win the "Local" competition round in the 2002 Colgate Country Showdown. All members of the band have been playing instruments and singing since childhood, and it shows in every performance. "We have a chemistry between us that makes working together a pleasure, and I think that is evident on stage".

Shannon's self-titled CD was recorded in Nashville and released in June 2001. She has received much radio play, most notably on country station, Indiana 105. Shannon has a more contemporary country music style that contains influences from traditional country music, pop, rock and classical music. She is very diverse in that her wide range allows her to be soaringly strong and powerful or emotionally soft.

Her musical career began at age eight as a winner in a talent show playing piano. Her first public performances were in church as well as school events. Shannon began her music study with piano and guitar lessons and eventually moved on to vocal study. "My piano teacher became very frustrated with me because I would memorize my piano sheet music so that I could read the words and sing the song instead of site reading the music."

Shannon was born and raised in a southern Indiana town called Floyds Knobs located near Louisville, KY. She is a graduate of Indiana University and utilized its well known School of Music to perfect her talent. Shannon's parents are both singers and played instruments such as piano, guitar and banjo. She credits her introduction to country music to her grandparents. "I grew up watching Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty and Willie Nelson as well as a few episodes of Hee Haw."

After college, Shannon moved to Indianapolis and enjoyed public performances with The Tommy Mullinex Band where she was able to broaden her horizons singing Big Band Music. She then met up with acoustic guitarist John McHenry and began to slowly make a name for herself in N.W. Indiana. "Acoustic music sets have made me a better singer. You are on stage with just an acoustic guitar and your voice. Every single sylable is heard, unlike performing with a band where mistakes are covered by the other band members." Shannon was billed as the "Real Country Star" for WXRD 103.9 Real Country Radio and 107.9 WZVN making special appearances and performing at radio remote broakcasts.

As a singer and songwriter, Shannon is excited about including some of her self-penned songs on here next CD. "I feel I am growing as an artist. Each year brings a new challenge, and I look forward to sharing my music with our growing number of fans."