Hammer Hands - Musician Profile
As the digital revolution continues to force the music world to advance, many new independent artists have come up. Musicians who don’t have, but more significantly, don’t need the support and control of the greatest music making machine " are finding their own way to success. One of these many artists is the singer, pianist and songwriter Shaun Barrowes.

Barrowes, aka "Hammer Hands", could be most known for his ascent up the American Idol ladder, but his brief foray into the pop culture trenches, is among the least of his accomplishments. While he did make it into the last 48 during Hollywood Week of the show’s 7th season, Hammer Hands says that his failure probably did more than victory could have possibly done to assist him in moving towards crafting his new CD, Big Bang Theory.

"American Idol basically allotted me five months of ‘vacation time,’ during which I got back in shape, fine tuned my vocal and piano skills, and read up on the changing music industry, preparing my mind for what was to come. I recharged my batteries, as I was a little burnt out from a 6 month tour I had booked and promoted myself," he points out. As he recalled some of the moments over his period of major growth.

That trek, which pulled Hammer Hands through over twenty-three cities and helped to further promote his dedicated fan group, was simply one of the milestones Hammer Hands has achieved in the past few months as a turnout of his notable combination of talent and determination. In May, he won first place in the "Slice the Pie'" competition. This has provided him with a financial windfall that will allow him to move his career to an even more uplifting grade. He has also recently recorded a new single for the Brazilian market, and composed music for an animated children’s TV program. He has even composed for a large, video game release.

Barrowes’ release of Big Bang Theory is a significant milestone for this gifted artist, who has been working towards this goal practically since he was a toddler. "I’ve been performing since I was three years old and writing songs since I was 15. I’ve been making music since I was 16, when I cut my first album "I spent a few years in Los Angeles writing for other artists and playing keyboards in a rock band (Spankbaby) for Sony Records," recaps Barrowes. He certainly has achieved that and continues to expand his dream.

Big Bang Theory is a strong cross-over CD that combines the instrumental span between jazz and pop sensibilities. Showing twelve original compositions, Big Bang Theory underlines Hammer Hands’ talent at instituting songs with engaging melodies and meaningful lyrics which reflect the confluence of influences that Hammer Hands claims as important to the inscription of his own, original style: Billy Joel, early Michael Jackson, Sting and Gershwin. “Sting gave me a new appreciation for song development, new arrangement styles and lyrical depth, and Michael Jackson's passionate singing and dancing were very inspiring and still help to fuel my own passion," says Hammer Hands. "Gershwin was a brilliant songwriter and composer and his style has rubbed off on me as well."

Hammer Hands’ approach to playing piano was greatly influenced by Billy Joel, who, he says, "inspired me to keep pounding on the keys. Because I'm such a hard hitter I am often known as a man with a pair of hands; Hammer Hands that is! The phrase ‘tickle the ivories’ really doesn't apply to me."

Some say the piano can be the most moving and inspiring instrument of all, when played correctly, with feeling. Today, finding a hot adult contemporary artist who has mastered both the voice and piano is hard to come by. But once found, it's exciting to take note! (Yeah, the pun was intentional.)

Most singers/songwriters have made music a life long journey. Typically, a true artist begins their musical training at a very young age. When they finally land on the stage years (and a gazillion shows) later, all those tedious hours of piano and voice lessons delivers a payoff worth tuning into.

It’s extremely gratifying to be in the audience witnessing a true artist sing and play simultaneously. Watching them master both voice and instrument is inspiring.

Hammer Hands has been known to pound the ivories so aggressively that after a concert his fingers are occasionally purple! Many say it is downright incredible to watch. Coupled with a jazzy melodic voice, the music never disappoints. For those considering a career in music, it pays to take the time to learn the piano. And if you can blend you own unique vocal instrument with it " magic! Being trained on the piano also comes in handy when you are looking to write your own songs. through these hard works Shaun has written dozens of songs.

Big Bang Theory’s tunes range from energetic, swinging numbers ("Hop, Skip and a Jump") to poignant ballads ("In My Back Pocket" and "I Still Loved You") to such romantic offerings as "When I Take Your Hand." During a recent appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show, Celine Dion, who is certainly no stranger to well crafted songs, said that hearing 'When I Take Your Hand" made her want to renew her wedding vows. And while music critics have begun to draw comparisons between Jamie Cullum and Shaun, another hard-hitting pianist and vocalist who stylistically rides the pendulum that sways between rock, pop, and jazz, Many say that style is just as close to Coldplay and John Mayer as it is to Cullum or Michael Buble?.

Comparisons and influences notwithstanding, the one thing that is certain that Shaun is a artist whose career is fueled by equal parts style, substance and smarts, and he knows exactly where he is headed. "I want people to realize that I'm a versatile songwriter, and that I'm very passionate about my music. I'm not just a jazz singer, or a piano/rock artist. I'd compare my music to the light that's refracted through a prism. It comes out in a variety of patterns and colors, but all derives from the same prism and same light source."

For those looking to be entertained, look no further than this singer songwriter who has mastered both the voice and the ivories. For those looking to entertain, take a lesson from Shaun Barrowes, aka Hammer Hands.