Shaun Canon: Mormon Musician

Shaun Canon, also known as Shaun Barrowes, is a singer, songwriter, piano man, and actor. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Canon, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, took piano lessons from the time he was six years old. His mother was an opera singer, so she taught him to sing. He started songwriting when he was fifteen and cut his first album a year later. He produced a second album a few years later.

After serving as a full-time missionary, he moved to Los Angeles and faced many disappointments with a music career until he wrote “When I Take Your Hand,” which attracted attention. He created his first professional album, Big Bang Theory, and toured with it. He started writing music for films, television shows, and video games. He wrote the theme song for Shadow Complex, the top-selling and award-winning video game of 2009. He won a gold AVA award as co-producer of the TV show “Vivir Bailando.” He has performed for former U.S. president George W. Bush.

As Shaun Barrowes, he was a contestant in season seven of “American Idol” (2008) and made it into the top thirty finalists. Since then, he changed his name to Shaun Canon and has created music videos, including “Don’t Carry It All” with Lindsey Stirling. He sings with Shaun Canon and the Pops Orchestra, and he works to keep music education in high schools and colleges with Live for Music. He won the Ultimate Exposure contest. He has worked with artists Brian McKnight, Janelle Modae, Greyson Chance, and David Archuleta.

He has ventured into acting and starred in four TV pilots. He also has a channel on YouTube.