John Shanks

John M. Shanks is a well known rock music guitarist, writer and producer.

Born in New York City, Shanks moved to Los Angeles when he was 17. He began playing in Melissa Etheridge’s band in 1988 and toured with her for several years. Shanks enjoyed his first writing success in the early 1990s by getting cuts with Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker and Tuck & Patti. He also landed his first publishing deal.

He reunited with Etheridge in 1995 when he collaborated with her on songs for Your Little Secret. He worked with her for several years and co-produced her subsequent album, Breakdown in 1999. Breakdown received four Grammy nominations, including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album.

In January 2001, Shanks began working with Michelle Branch. Together, they wrote four songs for the album The Spirit Room, including the first single, “Everywhere.” He also produced the album. In the fall of the same year, Shanks co-wrote Sheryl Crow’s single, "Steve McQueen".

He has also produced or written for other projects with Chris Isaak, Vertical Horizon, Will Hoge, Stroke 9, Hilary Duff and Alanis Morissette. He produced Ashlee Simpson's hit 2004 album Autobiography and is credited with co-writing ten of the album's 12 songs with Simpson. On seven of those, Kara DioGuardi is also credited. Shanks won the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical in February 2005 for some of his work, including Autobiography. [1]