Hi, I’m Chad Shank. I am a songwriter and music producer in Minneapolis, MN. I am originally from Mitchell, SD and moved to the Twin Cities in 2007.  I have been into music since I was a little boy. I grew up listening to cassettes of artists like The Pointer Sisters, Prince, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and many pop and R&B artists.

Growing up in South Dakota we really only had access to Top 40 radio. So I grew up listening to the best singers and songwriters of the time. I think that is what taught me my musical sense. I think my songwriting is very mainstream and pop. Catchy and fun.

I taught myself to play keyboards after I got one for Christmas in 3rd grade. That one keyboard became 7 of them, then my parents said I should probably get a job to continue this habit. So I did…. I started buying my own recording gear and more keyboards. I also started writing my own songs. Then in high school I jumped into writing and recording for singers in my hometown. I did alot of projects back then that helped me learn the craft and how to cut great songs.

After high school I went to the Recording Workshop School for Recording Arts in Chillicothe, OH. I got a diploma in audio engineering. When I came back to South Dakota I went into the radio industry. I worked as an announcer for 7 years while still growing C-Sharp Productions. I was producing and signing South Dakota recording artists. I was managing gig bookings, press, promotions….really every aspect of the artists career. I fell on my face alot, but I learned alot too. That knowledge has helped me immensely.

In 2007, I moved to Minneapolis. I love Minneapolis. It is a funky city, with a great vibe for creative people like singers, songwriters and artists. I continued growing C-Sharp Productions and began working with songwriters all over the US and around the world. I also began studying Songwriting with the Berklee College of Music. I took courses online that were created by songwriting experts like Pat Pattision, Andrea Stolpe, Jimmy Kachulis and others.  I earned a Songwriting certificate and it was a great experience. I also became active with the Minnesota Association of Songwriters.

Now I am still writing and producing with many pop, dance, country and R&B artists and writers. I have also began giving one on one songwriting lessons and coaching. I have started teaching songwriting classes around the Twin Cities and I am excited to expand that aspect of my music life.

So…I have done lots of cool things, but I would love to do more. So if you have music projects you need help on, hit me and we can talk about how we might be able to work together.

~~ Chad