Artist Biography

Beau Shelby was born Richard Reynell Shelby at Indianola , Mississippi in 1962 and began to teach himself drums at age 8 and guitar at age 11.
Formed his first band , Jabon ,in 1977 and continued to learn from live professional concert performances and televised professional performances such as Don Kirshner ’s Rock Concert , Midnight Special and other shows that debuted and featured some of music's most acclaimed Icons and Diva's from the beginnings of their now well known careers.
he was already gaining a reputation for his uncanny ability to learn note for note renditions of just about anything that presented a challenge.

Influences: Tony Maiden & Bobby Watson(Rufus & Chaka Khan) , Albert King, B.B. King, Curtis Mayfield,Ray Parker Jr.,Tito Jackson, Frank Zappa , Crusaders , Larry Carlton , Johnny Guitar Watson , George Benson, Earl Klugh , Earth Wind & Fire, Donny Hathaway, Yes , Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees,Bobby Caldwell , Johnny Winter ,George Duke , Bootsy Collins ,Eric Foreman(Homeboy) , Anthony Jackson , Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Wild Bill" Lawton(Homeboy), Leon Russel,Johnnie Johnson,L.J.Reynolds,Ernie Isley, Average White Band, Eric Clapton, Elton John, John Denver, Temptations,Spinners,The Originals,Gap Band,Sly Stone, Larry Graham,Jimi Hendrix, Mountain,Robben Ford,Wynton Kelly,Rick Derringer,Oliver Sain,Maurice White,Return to Forever,The Eagles,Roy Buchanan,Ray Charles,Clayton Love,Laval Bell,Johnnie Taylor,Charlie Parker,Dire Straits,Cannonball Adderly,Henry Townsend,Lester Young , Paul Chambers, Miles Davis , Mike Stern , Paul Schaeffer , Hiram Bullock, Arthur Adams , Tower Of Power , Black Oak Arkansas , Doctor John,Jim Messina,Bread,Muddy Waters , Elmore James , Joe Zawinul , Billy Preston , Steely Dan , Mahogany Rush ,Glenn Campbell , Barry Manilow , The Brothers Johnson ,The Commodores , The Barkays , Rufus Thomas , Joe Tex, Quincy Jones ,John Coltrane ,"Red" Garland , Jimmy Smith , Kansas

Timeline and Events
· 1973 – Began playing Guitar at age 11.
Beau was a highly motivated , mostly self-taught student and spent these early years mastering the basics as well as manual effects and tension devices.
· After joining several new and fledgling groups he marshaled that valuable experience and set out to establish his own band - Jabon - in September , 1977.
Just two short months later Jabon entered and won first place in St. Louis’ most prestigious talent contest - The Battle of the Bands - on Nov. 17 , 1977.
The winning band was also offered an opening act date at Kiel Opera House.
· 1978 – Jabon picks up radio producer/jock Gary Starr of KATZ-AM
as a sponsor.
This led to Beau meeting and greeting
with the likes of : The Bar-Kays , Rufus & Chaka Khan , The Commodores, The Brothers Johnson , and many others.
· 1979 – became friends with Greg Osby, noted Jazz Saxophonist (recently touring with Herbie Hancock and others) Kevin Batchelor , Trumpeter with internationally acclaimed Reggae group The SkaTa Lites ; and Theo
Peoples , Lead Vocalist of The Four Tops and (formerly ) The Temptations

Playing with Chess records legend Bobby McClure landed him onstage as the opening act of the 2nd annual Budweiser Superfest
held at The St. Louis International Raceway.
Other acts on the date included George Clinton & Parliament/ Funkadelic , The Dramatics , Al Green , Smokey Robinson , Johnny Taylor , The Sugar Hill Gang , SOS Band and many others.
Working with Mr. Sain at his Archway Recording Studio was a dream come true for Beau and he wasted no time helping Mr. Sain in his efforts to modernize Archway without compromising its' signature “vintage “ sound.

· His current Band , Beau Shelby & Flyy , is his pride and joy.
Beau Shelby & Flyy is routinely requested by The St. Louis Blues Society to perform at St. Louis' Premiere Blues Club, B.B.'s Jazz Blues & Soups & Their Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival featuring the likes of Taj Mahal , Mavis Staples , John Lee Hooker , Buddy Guy , John Mayall , The Fabulous Thunderbirds and many others.
Formed in 2000 , Flyy is a cutting edge all-around Blues//R&B/Dance/ Jazz/ Lite & Classic Rock/Pop/ Easy Listening band that Jams!
Other Festivals include : Opening act for The Great George Benson @The Winter Park Jazz Fest in Colorado which also featured Acoustic Alchemy on the same bill, The AACW Blues & Jazz Festival co- Chaired by noted comedian Dave Chappelle in Yellow Springs , Ohio with Al Caldwel & The Traveling Black Hillbillies.
To date, Beau Shelby & Flyy has one previously released CD 'Stand Up' (2000) and an upcoming release 'Move On Time' (2007) to its'
credit.
Both soon to be available on iTunes and CDBaby.com as well during venue performances @ $15.00 ea.

For Bookings: Richard "Beau" Shelby - Producer/ Bandleader 314-352-3689 Home ; 314-550-1179; Cell E-mail: beaushelby@yahoo.com ; Web:MySpace.com/beaushelbyflyy

©2007 TriPortMedia Publishing,ASCAP

Artist Mission

Music Influences

Alternative Links

• Beau Shelby & Flyy
  all about my current band project,influences,friends,etc