Shawn was born and raised in the wilds of Ontario, Canada. At a young age he fell in love with music, becoming skillful at guitar, bass, drums and saxophone. In his youth he also was active in local theater productions. Shawn attended the classical music program at Cambrian College as well as the Audio Engineering program at the Trebas Institute in Toronto. After relocating to Phoenix, AZ, he did live sound for such acts as Keane (UK), John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (UK), Zakk Wilde (Ozzy Os