With chart success Europe under his belt and a number of songs cut and singled to radio by various artists in the United States, Shay Watson has carved out a place for himself in the global songwriting community. Shay is also known for his work as both an artist and producer. Shay is actively involved in child advocacy and is an artist/spokesman for Mission of Mercy, a Christian relief organization that helps find sponsors for poverty stricken children in underprivileged areas of the world.

Early Nashville (1998-2001)

In the late 90s Shay worked briefly with Embassy Music/Nashville, a small indie label known predominately for their music industry seminars. His involvement with the company gained him experience and insight as a songwriter, artist and producer. During this period, Shay was able to be involved with the marketing of The Angie’s Chair Compilation Project, featuring Grammy winning artist/songwriter, Bruce Carroll and artist/songwriter, Morgan Cryar. It was also during this time that Shay performed as keyboardist for the alternative rock band Trilobite Café’. Shortly after leaving Embassy Music, Shay wrote and recorded his first solo album, ‘Anyway’. After completing the album Shay began touring and promoting the new project. ‘Carry Me’ marked the album’s first release to radio. The album opened the door for Shay to team up with artists Jacob Wiley and Cole Bruce.

Ten Mile Drive years (2002-2005)

In the later part of 2002 Bruce, Wiley and Watson formed the progressive acoustic band ‘Ten Mile Drive’. The band began touring shortly after its formation achieving a moderate amount of underground success and soon received notice and critical acclaim from the recording industry, various publications, television and radio. Over the course of the next couple of years Ten Mile Drive recorded, wrote with, open for and/or performed with numerous artists including Sony recording artist- Gretchen Wilson, Curb recording artist-Deborah Allen, Sparrow recording artists-The Elms and T. Graham Brown. During this time the band recorded an album and found themselves with a number of record label offers on the table. It seemed to Ten Mile Drive fans that things could not be going any better however, internal creative differences and legal issues began pulling the band apart. After 200+ concerts, with a new label funded album in the works and a base of dedicated followers, Ten Mile Drive disbanded.

Laying Low/Refining a Vision (2005-2007)

After the breakup of Ten Mile Drive,Shay took a break from the road and secluded himself in his writing. Shay's songs began to take on a mature, introspective nature, these qualities had been pushed aside during the Ten Mile Drive days in pursuit of a catchy, commercialized sound. After the brief recovery period from the the Ten Mile Drive whirlwind, with all former management, label and legal issues ironed out, Shay began producing and/or writing for various artists including recording artist, James Clay, who at the time was signed to Inpop Records and former DC Talk member, Michael Tait. While producing and writing songs for the James Clay record, Shay performed a series of shows with him as his bassist and background singer. During this time Shay began writing and producing songs for his own new solo record and planning a tour to promote the record. In 2006 Shay signed on as a child advocate spokesman for Mission of Mercy, a child advocacy organization which helps find sponsors for children in underprivileged areas of the world. Shay also became more pro-active with Lust Free Living, an organization that he had been affiliated with before and during his Ten Mile Drive days. Another carry over from Shay's Ten Mile Drive days is 'Are You Listening' (written by Shay, Barry Russo and former Ten Mile Drive member Jacob Wiley). The song was heard and re-recorded by Levity Records/Radio Disney Artist, Cali.

Solo/Movies and Television/Watson, Cox and Nash (2008)

Shay currently has an extensive writing schedule with various artists and songwriters. He also tours, performing in both Christian and mainstream venues. In addition, Shay has been actively promoting his music and persona to television and movies through Majors Music. 2008 found friends and fellow artists Jason Cox and Joe Nash teaming up with Shay to form the songwriter based trio, 'Watson, Cox and Nash'.

Before Nashville

Shay’s early musical development was influenced by his family especially brother Phil who played guitar in a number of rock bands, and his music instructor, composer/arranger Rob Grice. During Shay’s teenage years he was a member of DCI’s The Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduating high school, Shay spent time in New York at the home of world renowned composer, orchestrator and author Clare Grundman. Shay kept in contact with the composer until his death in 1996. In the fall of 1993 Shay enrolled as an Instrumental Music Education Major at Troy State University in Troy, Alabama where he studied musical composition under Dr. Carl Vollrath. Later while working toward a Master’s Degree, Shay studied Composition under Warner Bros. Publications composer/arranger Robert W. Smith. Through his early college years Shay served as pianist for South Luverne Baptist Church in Luverne, Alabama and performed as dinner pianist at the Holiday Inn in Troy. While in college, Shay met his future wife, Claire Field. The two were married in June of 2000. Upon graduating college Shay built up the concert and marching band programs at Zion Chapel High School in Jack, Alabama. While teaching at Z.C.H.S his bands consistently received superior ratings and honors. During this time he also worked as an arranger for Jalen Publishing in Orlando, Florida. After leaving teaching, Shay moved to Nashville.

Aside from his musical endeavors, Shay has received a citation for poetic achievement from the Amherst Society. He is an advocate of The Lust Free Living group www.lustfreeliving.org and is also a regular speaker at various workshops, clinics and seminars.