Born in a small town just outside of Louisville, Shannon began his musical life listening to bluegrass. He spent his childhood cutting and hanging tobacco with his father and four uncles. At age 7, Shannon's father gave him his first guitar.

Upon high school graduation, Lawson left Taylorsville to attend college in Louisville. Shortly into his academic experience, he got an offer that would change his life. A seasoned blues musician called Top Hat hired the young guitarist to play in his club act. Lawson left school to tour fulltime with the group, playing guitar and eventually singing soulful lead on blues covers such as The Dramatic's "In The Rain." "It was just an incredible experience," Lawson says. "Here I was, this 18-year-old kid, the only white guy in an all-black group. It taught me so many things. It not only taught me how to be a musician, but how to survive. If it weren't for Top Hat, I wouldn’t be here. These guys took care of me, they showed me how to survive on playing music".

Shannon formed a bluegrass band in 1993 called The Galoots and began playing at local venues. He met his wife Mandy at a wedding gig. She was a local DJ. Afer they returned from their honeymoon, Shannon and Mandy moved to Nashville. His demo was brought to Shane Barrett, Manager of A&R for MCA Nashville. After hearing the demo, a showcase was immediately organized for the MCA Nashville staff and Barrett soon signed Lawson. As of March 2003, Shannon is no longer with MCA-Nashville.

At the 2002 Country Radio Seminar, Lawson joined country star Vince Gill on stage during a show hosted by MCA Nashville. They did one song together and Shannon did one of his own songs. Shannon's debut album, Chase The Sun is produced by CMA Award winning and Grammy nominated producer Mark Wright,.

Shannon and Vince Gill have an interesting connection as 25 years ago Shannon's uncle, Glenn Lawson, played in the band Bluegrass Alliance with Vince.