Tony Shanahan grew up in New Brunswick, New Jersey. As a musician, songwriter, and producer, he founded the Slaves of New Brunswick and was also part of the New York Health and Happiness Show in the early 90’s. He has worked with artists such as Michael Stipe, David Gray, Ryan Adams, Robert Plant, Ian Hunter, Faith Hill, Aimee Mann, Natalie Merchant, and Suzanne Vega. He has been a member of Patti Smith’s band for the past 20 years. The song ‘1959,’ from their album Peace and Noise , written by Smith and Shanahan was nominated for a Grammy in 1998.