Craig Shields has an impressive musical background.  We are preparing an in-depth biography.  However, until that is finished, you may enjoy reading an interview with Craig from several years ago...  found on Edwin.com several years ago.  Have fun, and watch for an updated Bio soon!  Thanks for your patience!

• What has your musical training been and how does that continue to help you now?

I try to not let my music degree affect my playing. I have a lot of training, and I still continue to study music, but when I play, I try to forget about all of that and just play.

As for musical training, I first picked up the clarinet in elementary school. I played that in the school band in the fifth grade. I jr. high school, I started to realize that I didn't hear the clarinet anywhere on the radio. So, ended up picking up the sax. Ironically, I play the clarinet on and the bass clarinet on the new record (clarinet on "Ghosts of Jackson Square" and the bass clarinet on "See Off This Mountain" and "Wish In This World). I then went on to play the sax and the clarinet at the Navy school of music. After that, I went back to the University of West Virginia to finish up my degree. I was actually on my way back to get my Masters degree when I ran into Edwin.

• How did you meet Edwin? And What made you want to get into a band with him?

I met Edwin at a bar in Charleston called Cumberlands. At that time, he was playing with a percussionist by the name of Kay Smith. They were doing a duo there. I went up and introduced myself and we got to talking. We shared some favorite records and I was attracted to both his guitar playing and the songs. At the time, I just left a resort gig. It wasn't a lot of fun. I was looking for something original and we just got to talking. He invited me over to his house, we jammed a little bit, and now here we are.

• How was the studio experience different for Messenger than it was for Honor Among Thieves or Misguided Roses?

During Misguided Roses, Larry just came in at the end. We have really gelled as a band since then and this is more of an Edwin McCain Band recording. We have all never been happier when leaving a recording session.

• What are your favorite songs off of Messenger?

I would say that my favorite is "Promise of You." I really feel that it is a triumph of pop songwriting. I also feel that it is the pinnacle of the record and shows what can happen when we really come together as a band. "Ghosts of Jackson Square" is another highlight for me. That song exemplifies the relationship between songwriter, band and producer.

The great part about this CD is that each song can stand on its own. You could ask 12 people about which song is their favorite and you could get 12 different answers.

• What has been your favorite moment as a member of this band?

The Tonight Show last year was definitely one of them. It represents an achievement that we are all proud of. Another favorite was during the Honor Among Thieves tour. We were out on tour with Hootie & the Blowfish and we played the big arena in Cleveland. There were 20,000 people there and we ended up playing one of the best shows. I still remember the incredible intensity of that night.

• The Misguided Roses tour lasted over two years and brought the band all across the country - what was your most memorable experience of the tour?

Well, it isn't necessarily an experience, but what I am most proud of is that we kept it together. Being on the road for so long can get very tough. You are away from your families and many of your friends. I am just happy that we made it through it all in such a great way.

Some of my favorite memories of the last tour are when we got to play New Orleans. I loved the city so much that I moved there.

• Who are your influences?

I actually have a list in order: 1) Miles Davis 2) Neil Young 3) John Klemmer 4) Dexter Gordon 5) Sheryl Crowe

• Many fans of the band have expressed an interest in hearing a Craig Shields solo insturmental CD, is this something that you have ever considered?

I have already been working on one and am about a third of the way through. And it is being produced by Scott Bannevich. Think of it as instrumental Beastie Boys.

• What CDs would someone currently find in your changer?

The new Black Crowes, new Ben Folds Five, Lo Fidelity All Stars, R. L. Burnside, and Sheryl Crowe's Globe Session CD.

• If you were to write an autobiography, what would it be titled?

"I Don't Know As Much As I Thought I Would Have At This Point"