Album Notes

She was born Phyllis Dianne Harrill, the first of four children to Lt. Col. C. W. and Mrs. Rochelle Harrill. As the daughter of an air force pilot, she and her family traveled most of her childhood years before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she attended Junior High and High School. She is a graduate of Cheyenne Mountain High School.

After high school, Phyllis attempted to further her education by attending various colleges: Colorado State University, West Texas State University and the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She painstakingly explored all paths to find her niche---at that time pursuing a degree in Art. Disappointed by the lack of success of her college endeavors, she still testifies to the invaluable “social education” she received during those personally difficult times.

While growing up, Phyllis was hammin’ and jammin’ to the rhythms of Tom Jones and Neal Diamond and dancing to songs by KC and the Sunshine Band and Foreigner--cuttin’ lots of rugs and spending most of her free time around the family juke box. She didn’t officially begin her music career until her mid 30’s--if you can call it official--it actually found her. Prior to that, she had been writing songs since her early 20’s often referring to it as “closet” writing. Her creative writing style is attributed much to the influence of classic folk artists, such as Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson, Joan Biaz and Paul Simon. Sadly, she did not take her passion seriously until it completely became her and she finally realized that it was what she was born to do. Phyllis hid her music and the desire to perform behind her gifted art ability--a remarkable talent that awarded her scholarships and accolades everywhere she turned. Unfortunately, college and then immediate career attempts as an artist became disappointing and unfruitful. Though obviously capable, she was unmotivated, bored and complacent and found she just wasn’t interested in developing her art talent as a career.

For years, she denied herself the joy of pursuing her dream: writing, singing, dancing…performing. Resisting unrelenting doubt, she eventually stepped out, abandoning herself to her music passion. She often upstaged herself with brush and canvas, but still, music drove her. The fact that her writing talent and music ability were not obvious or initially recognizable made the pursuit even more challenging. After the sad and recent passing of her husband, life for Phyllis and her son would never be the same. As would be expected, major change was inevitable. For reasons mostly attributed to her faith, a very close friend tagged her “Rocky”. “That was it! It’s who I am and where I live!” She exclaimed, “My help, my God, my Jesus…MY ROCK!!!”

Now in her 40’s (though she persistently claims “26 forever!”), Phyllis “Rocky” is a prolific singer/ songwriter and has performed extensively in the Rocky Mountain region as well as throughout the south and deep south, namely Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Her son Dusty is her life’s inspiration. Loving him takes her to rock. “Rock and dust…that’s us!”, she says with confidence, “…it’s what we stand on and where we always need to remember we’re from. Always--“From and to “ROCK” and back again”.

Rocky Shaw recently signed with Old Pants Publishing, Inc., a Colorado Springs-based music publisher. Her first CD release “No Doubt” is compiled of all original material. Rocky seeks to reestablish the sound and look of music, as we know it. She refers to that as “Rocky Style”. She’s admittedly a late bloomer–-still growing but has come a long way, paid a lot of dues, and now... nothing’s stopping her! She anticipates an exciting new future, yet definitely not a conventional one for this industry. Be expectant!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

ROBERT A CASE
OLD PANTS PUBLISHING, INC. (BMI)
102 E PIKES PEAK #200
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80903
719 632-0227 Office
719 634-2274 FAX
www.oldpants.com