Don Shappelle and the Pickups are a versatile musical group, performing a repertoire of original songs at dozens of waterfront gatherings and festivals in support of cleaning the Bay and its tributaries.
Singer-songwriter Don Shappelle is from Wilkes-Barre, PA but now lives in Perryville, on the banks of the Susquehanna River. It’s only natural that many of his original songs are about this river in subject and in spirit. After graduating from Misericordia University with a music degree, Don’s musical life took him to many places, including time spent living and touring in Europe. Don has also lived and performed in NYC and the Hudson Valley, where he collaborated with folk music legend Pete Seeger and others in The Clearwater Organization, a large group of people dedicated to cleaning the Hudson River. Don’s lifelong commitment and dedication to the environment and nature was truly awakened at that time.
After a trip to the Chesapeake Bay many years ago, Don fell in love with the water and shoreline, the “Land of Pleasant Living,” as it is traditionally called. His music has reflected this connection ever since. Don’s music is also influenced by his years of traveling. Trains are a constant theme in his music and writing. The influences of blues, folk and rock traditions, mixed with a bit of jazz and ragtime, make up the styling of Don’s songs. With his backing group, The Pickups, Don released his album Rolling Down the Line.
He’s also recorded an album of original and traditional acoustic blues with The West Side Blues Band. He has recorded over 150 original songs with the legendary George Graham for the award-winning radio show “Homegrown Music” on the PBS station WVIA FM. Don Shappelle has always and will continue to use his music to try to make a difference in the world around him. The Chesapeake Bay, the Susquehanna River and the lives of hard-working people everywhere are all part of his music.
Come see him live at the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, located at 100 Lafayette Street in Havre de Grace, MD. Admission is $15 per person, and drinks will be sold during the show, which will take place in the museum’s air-conditioned main gallery. (No reservations necessary.) Call us at (410) 939-4800 with any questions.
