Mention the names Mat and Savanna Shaw and practically everyone will know exactly who you are talking about. The dynamic daddy-daughter duo from the small town of Kaysville, Utah, in just eight short months has taken the music industry by storm.
They have not only garnered major success with their viral YouTube music videos on their channel which now has more than 537,000 subscribers, but they have also gained national attention on major television network shows like Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show. In recent days, they have also appeared and performed at several charity benefits and they have also caught the attention of Broadway producers.
On a recent Zoom call with the Deseret News, 16-year-old Savanna commented, “I really genuinely only thought that my friends and my family were going to see it. I think if I would’ve known how big it would get, I probably would’ve been a lot more nervous. I’m kind of glad I didn’t know that.”
It all started with Mat and Savanna at their kitchen table recording their rendition of the popular song, “The Prayer,” and posting the video first on Facebook and then on YouTube. The response was phenomenal to say the least. From there the duo continued recording cover songs and releasing music videos. Little did they realize that with the popularity they were gaining, things were about to change for them in a major way.
Through the help of their many fans, whom they refer to as TheShawFam, Mat and Savanna have been able to record and release their debut full-length album. The 13-track album called Picture This was released on most music platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Google Music, and Amazon Music on Friday, 23 October 2020.
On that same day, the daddy-daughter duo released their first professional music video, which is the title track of the album. In just four days after being released that video has garnered more than 186,000 views. As a note of interest, “Picture This,” is Mat and Savanna’s first original song. They co-wrote the song with their arranger, Stephen Nelson, who joins them on the song “Hallelujah,” which is track #11 on the album.
Mat and Savanna Shaw are independent music artists. That means that they do not have a marketing team, a PR staff, or a record label. In fact, in a recent Facebook Live, which was held exclusively for their fans on Sunday, 25 October 2020, Mat Shaw commented that they have no desire of signing with a record label at this time. Albeit, after the release of the album, the Shaw family did receive a lengthy email from the President and CEO of Universal Music Group who expressed interest in helping Mat and Savanna with their careers.
Nevertheless, Mat and Savanna, along with wife and mom, Brooke, and the other siblings, Easton, Eric, and Penny Jean, are enjoying the idea of everything being a family affair. In fact, the entire family, with the help of some other family members and friends, addressed and shipped around 10,000 copies of the new CD from their home to their fans around the world who are anxiously awaiting their copy.
During the Facebook Live on Sunday, Mat announced that the album, Picture This, is the #3 album on iTunes and the #1 album on the Pop Charts. He also announced that He and Savanna will be appearing in concert for two socially distanced holiday shows with GENTRI for their Christmas show, “Tis the Season — A Christmas Concert with Gentri and Friends,” on 5 December 2020, at the Maverick Center in West Valley City, Utah.
Speaking of Christmas, Mat and Savanna will also be releasing a Christmas album, which will have seven songs that will be familiar but with a few twists and new arrangements. On 28 November 2020, Mat and Savanna will be headlining their first full virtual concert, “What the World Needs Now: An Evening of Music and Inspiration with Mat and Savanna Shaw,” which will be directed by Sierra Boggess and produced by Kevin Davenport. They will be singing songs from the new album, Picture This, as well as songs from their new Christmas album, and their arranger, Stephen Nelson, will also be joining in the fun.
Fans should be on the lookout for the release of the second official music video from the album Picture This. The video is scheduled to release on Friday, 30 October 2020. In the meantime, check out their new website, which launched on Sunday, 25 October 2020. They also have a new logo. And, if you would like to send the Shaw family fan mail, their new fan mail address is 285 N. Main St., Ste 654, Kaysville, Utah 84037.
Mat previously told the Deseret News, “It means a lot just to be able to be in a position now — especially in the times that we’re experiencing with this pandemic — to be able to share these messages of hope and encouragement through music. Never in a million dreams would we have ever thought that our music would have this kind of impact. That’s been the best part.”
Update: Mat and Savanna’s Debut Album, Picture This, is Topping the Charts
Mat and Savanna Shaw’s debut full-length album, Picture This, was released on Friday, 23 October 2020, and it has literally skyrocketed in the music charts. As of today, Tuesday, 3 November 2020, Picture This is #1 on the Billboard Charts. and #14 on the Rolling Stones Charts. The awe-inspiring 13-track album is also climbing the International iTunes charts. The album is #3 in the United States, #7 in the United Kingdom, #6 in Australia, and #44 in Germany.
On Friday, 30 October 2020, the daddy-daughter duo released their second professional music video. In the music video, they perform a magnificent cover of the crossover country pop song, “I Hope You Dance,” written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers. The song is listed as the second track on their album.
Fans will also be interested in knowing that Mat and Savanna will be hosting their very first full virtual concert on Saturday, 28 November 2020, at 8:00 pm. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased by going to the Stellar Tickets website. The album, Picture This, can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon Music, or on the Mat and Savanna Shaw official website.
The arrangements are heaven inspired turning lovely into heavenly.