J.J. Shiplett Interview
J.J. Shiplett is a country singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Calgary, Alberta.
Born in Red Deer and raised in Brandon, Manitoba, Shiplett was introduced to country and roots music at an early age, and was always encouraged to take music lessons by his parents. He moved to Calgary after graduating high school and worked in the industry as a musician for over a decade, playing local venues, touring, and writing music. His signature gravelly vocals caught the attention of multi-platinum selling Canadian artist, Johnny Reid, who tracked Shiplett down and took him under his wing—bringing him on tour, producing his 2016 record in Nashville, and signing him with his own Halo Entertainment Group label under Warner Music Canada. Often compared to Bruce Springsteen and Chris Stapleton, Shiplett has been praised by the public, media, and music industry as the “one to watch”.
Career Highlights
Shiplett released his first album, Colours, in 2007. This recording led him to win a Rawlco Radio 10k20 Grant to produce his next full-length album Drifter in 2012.
His third album, The E.P. was released in 2016. Produced by Johnny Reid, it quickly climbed to number three on the Neilson SoundScan Canadian Country Albums chart.
In 2017, Shiplett released his first major label debut, Something To Believe In. Similar to a greatest hits record, this album mixed songs from his previous records with new ones like “Higher Ground”, which was written after the devastating 2013 Alberta flood.
Shiplett has toured across Western Canada opening for Johnny Reid, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jeremy Fisher, Dwight Yoakam, and Leeroy Stagger.
In 2017, Shiplett received four YYC Music Awards for his album Something To Believe In. He was also nominated for “Roots Artist or Group of the Year” at the 2017 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards.
Shiplett recorded two videos, “Always for You” and “Darling, Let’s Go Out Tonight” at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in 2017.
