Josh Shilling
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Josh Shilling (born in Martinsville, Virginia on July 5, 1983. Around the age of 7 he began playing the piano. He started listening to 50's style honky-tonk piano and realized at this young age he had a keen ear and was able to easily play most songs within only minutes of practicing. By age 10 he began competing and winning in state-wide talent shows. Shortly thereafter he was influenced by a jazz/rock fusion style of playing and began performing as a professional pianist at age 13, sharing the stage with local variety bands in Martinsville. Throughout high school he honed his craft in bars and local events including everything from weddings to high school events.
Josh spent most of his extra time working at writing new material and becoming fluent in nearly every style of music. His hard work was paying off: he was called upon to work on select projects by various studios. At age 16, he was awarded the First Annual Musicians Scholarship Fund, and used the money to record some of his original material. He graduated from high school a year early in June 2001 to pursue playing full time. He was hired to play with The Kings, a successful regional band from Roanoke, Virginia, at age 18. He began performing in large hotels and at corporate events on the east coast, and he added Rhythm and Blues to his ever growing repertoire of playing styles. During his time with The Kings, he became known for his soulful vocals, influenced by artists such as Otis Redding and Michael McDonald. Shortly after starting with The Kings, he began playing showcases with national recording artist Cimmaron. He developed a classic country style of playing piano, and his peers saw him as seasoned beyond his years.
In working with Cimmaron, he shared the stage with multiple national acts that eventually resulted in a job touring with Billy "Crash" Craddock (a national country artist who was extremely successful through the 50's, 60's, and 70's, having multiple top 10 hits, including number 1 hits "Knock Three Times" and "Rub It In"). While working with "Crash" he was able to travel to exciting places, including Fanfair in Nashville, Tennessee, and performed in amphitheaters and civic centers from Maine to Mississippi. At many of the concerts with Crash, he shocked the crowds with his ability to play music written well before his time with both elegance and ease.
In the summer of 2004, Josh and several fellow musicians from Roanoke formed the high energy, Funk, R&B, & Soul group, currently known as The Edge. The group consists of several local heavy-weights, including Bernard Hairston on Bass, Kelly Gravley on Drums, Steve Finch on guitar, and Josh. After a year of playing together the group began working with Mic Gillette, former trumpet/trombone player for Tower of Power, on his solo project. Mic not only played with Tower of Power, but has also recorded with such artists as Santana and Elton John. The group was selected to play with Mic Gillette and members of Tower of Power for his CD Release Show and following tour dates on the West Coast.
In the Fall of 2005, Josh was contacted by a fellow musician about collaborating on a project featuring dual basses and an amazing group of singers/musicians based out of Detroit. The group, Balancing Act, had Josh come to Detroit to record keyboards and lead vocals for select songs on their self-titled album. Josh wrote several of the songs on the album, one of which caught the attention of MTV and has since been licensed to them for use on their shows “Punk'd” and “Making the Video.”
During the Summer of 2006, Josh toured with The Embers, a band based out of Raleigh, NC. "A musical marvel, the Embers have survived disco, punk, new wave, hip-hop and house and continue to take the stage as one of the tightest and entertaining bands to ever perform."
Starting in January 2007 Josh became the lead singer of the acoustic group Mountain Heart. Josh will be touring with Mountain Heart on guitar, lead vocals, and keyboards. Tour dates can be found on the Tour page with ticket information when it is available.
Currently Josh is touring with Mountain Heart, working on his solo project, is an active studio musician for various other projects, and is playing select tour dates for Mic Gillette.
Josh has opened for or played with various national acts including:
* Mountain Heart * The Embers * Mic Gillette (former member of Tower of Power)(Doobie Brothers)(Sons of Champin) * Bill Champlin (Chicago)(Sons of Champlin) * Jane Powell * Larry Braggs (lead singer of Tower of Power) * Stephen "Doc" Kupka (Tower of Power) * Billy "Crash" Craddock * Trace Atkins * Jack Green * Jeannie Seely * Trick Pony * Gene Watson * Mel McDaniel * Jason Aldean * Miranda Lambert * Cowboy Crush * Shenandoah * Tommy Overstreet * The Impressions
