Marc Lee Shannon and ‘Other Brothers’ Capture a Moment in Time

AKRON, Ohio – Marc Lee Shannon says his new album represents a moment in time.

With the players in his band and the songs he put together for the project, it’s a rare moment.

Titled “My Other Brothers,” the album will be released Oct. 4. The first single, “Riser,” was made available Aug. 20.

The band qualifies as an ad hoc northeastern Ohio supergroup.

The Akron-based Shannon, who played with the Michael Stanley Band for 25 years and before that was a session man in Los Angeles, wrote or co-wrote every song except “Riser.”

Michael Weber Jr., an Akron-based guitarist, songwriter, producer and guitar wizard, plays several instruments. Youngstown-based drummer Dean Anshutz of Red Wanting Blue and his brother, bassist Kurt Anshutz of Easton Union, comprise the rhythm section.

Shannon is a substance abuse and mental health counselor who is deep into his own recovery. The songs on the upcoming album reflect his efforts and the attitude he preaches.

“It’s about resilience,” he said, and getting up after every fall to keep on fighting.

Shannon’s desire to help people with their struggles often blends into his music.

The song “Riser” is a perfect example. The lyrics tell of a man who refuses to give in to despair or troubles. Written by Travis Meadows and Steve Moakler, it was a hit for country star Dierks Bentley in 2014.

“‘Riser’ just floored me when I first heard it,” Shannon said. “I call it a ‘pull over to the side of the road’ song. You’ve got to stop and listen to it, and when it’s over you want to hear it again right away.”

Shannon reworked the song and has been playing it during his shows.

The rest of the songs were written expressly for the album during a time when Shannon, Weber and the Anshutz brothers were playing regularly at The Jenks Building in Cuyahoga Falls.

“We were doing a monthly gig at the Jenks every third Thursday,” Shannon said. “This record came out of those sessions.”

Shannon and Weber were the first to play regularly at the Jenks, filling out their band with other musicians. Kurt Anshutz eventually joined them and brought in Dean. It was the first time the brothers were in a band together.

The quartet clicked right away, and Shannon started writing music for it.

“I wanted a two guitars, bass and drums record … a band record,” he explained. “I wanted to turn up the amps and play a little more aggressive stuff. I had been doing North Coast rock with Michael, and that was where the intention came from for this record.”

The result, Shannon said, was better than the sum of its parts.

“It doesn’t matter how good the songs are if the cats aren’t together, if the room doesn’t gel,” he said. “But this was a cool feeling.”

Youngstown native JD Eicher had a hand in writing the song “Like a Mirror.”

“I had the music, the chords, and I sent it off to JD,” Shannon said. Eicher, who now lives in Columbus, wrote about his observations of Shannon, who had recently gotten married and was embarking on a new beginning.

The album was recorded from late November through spring with Akron’s Ryan Humbert of The Shootouts handling preproduction and supervising the tracking.

Jim Stewart handled tracking and mixing. Tiffany Turner sang and recorded additional background tracks, and her husband, Nashville’s Lee Turner from Darius Rucker’s band, recorded them.

Shannon and Co. will play the album at an Oct. 4 show at The Rialto Theater in Akron. He’s working on booking a Youngstown show late this year or early 2025, but it’s been difficult because of his bandmates’ busy schedules.

Even if the lineup proves short-lived, Shannon said the album will serve as a permanent reminder of the band.

“We made it with these four guys and with these songs at this time,” he said.

Shannon then framed it in the perspective of his entire career.

“With Michael Stanley, I did 23 albums,” he said. “When I was in my 20s and was a studio man in LA, I can’t tell you how many albums I worked on. But each album is a snapshot, and it can take you back in time to when it was made.”

Pictured at top: A recording session for Marc Lee Shannon’s upcoming album. From left are Michael Weber Jr., Dean Anshutz, Shannon and Kurt Anshutz.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.