Review of The Sideman Steps Out from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine can be found here -- bluegrassmusic.com/content/category/reviews/ 


 A review of our performance at the Newell Lodge Bluegrass Festival by Ted Lehmann -- tedlehmann.blogspot.com/2011/11/newell-lodge-fall-2011-review.html

Cybergrass.com on Shannon Slaughter's "The Sideman Steps Out"  www.cybergrass.com/node/346

Review of CD Release Party from My Favorite Guitars by Robyn Schossel www.mfgnotes.com/2011/07/one-to-watch-shannon-slaughter-and-the-county-clare-band/ 

From John Lawless at The Bluegrass Blog www.thebluegrassblog.com/shannon-slaughter-the-sideman-steps-out/

From the folks at County Sales in Floyd, VA www.countysales.com/products.php


Check out what some of the leading artists in the industry are saying about "The Sideman Steps Out":

He (Shannon) possesses a fluid, natural guitar style that matches his voice perfectly: great tone, phrasing and dynamics in both. This is a musical cat right here.....Shannon and Heather make a team that most can only dream about--just listen to "You're My Music" and see if you don't agree. The band sound is tight and driving, underpinned by Shannon's great rhythm guitar. He's one of the great rhythm players in bluegrass today--the kind whose rhythm just fits, propelling everything without overshadowing.
I'm sure there will be lots of great bluegrass recordings released this year, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better one than The Sideman Steps Out.
- Tim Stafford / Blue Highway



It's not every day that you get asked to be a part of a record, and be a huge fan of the artist that asked you to do it. That's what happened to me with this record. I've been waiting for years for Shannon to do an album that features his voice, writing, and picking and it turned out to be just like I thought it would, Awesome! Not only do you get to hear one of the richest voices ever in Shannon, but you also get knocked out when you hear Heather sing. Her lead and harmony vocals add just the right thing to a song exactly where the song calls for it. It was huge honor to be a part of this recording. Give it a listen and you're sure to be as big a fan as I am.
- Shawn Lane / Blue Highway


This CD is one of the most enjoyable projects I've listened to lately. Shannon has been around the bluegrass field for many years working, mostly, as a 'side man' or in support of others who have had their name out front. But, on this CD, he's taken the lead spot, akin to a quarterback on a contending football team, and he's thrown a touchdown!!! I have no doubt that you'll enjoy it as well. Great job, Shannon!!
- Russell Moore / IIIrd Tyme Out


Shannon Slaughter is one of the most talented musician / singer / songwriters that I've ever had the opportunity to work with and his new CD is fabulous. His new solo project is packed with his own personal songs and ace musicians that is sure to please. So brace yourselves music fans for one of the best CDs to be released this year!
- Lou Reid


When I listen to music these days there are four things I listen for, good singing, good songs that say something, a good sounding recording and a good mix. This recording has all of that! Shannon has done a fine job putting this CD together. I especially enjoyed the songs that featured Shannon and his wife Heather singing together. I'm also proud of the fact that one of Shannon's first professional gigs was in The Larry Stephenson Band in the early 90's. He's come a long way since then and sounding better than ever!
- Larry Stephenson