Shawn Mullins Returns to The Loft for 33rd Anniversary Celebration

As the vibrant heart of Columbus’s arts and entertainment scene, The Loft prepares to mark a monumental milestone – its 33rd anniversary – and the air is already thick with anticipation. And what better way to celebrate more than three decades of live music and community than with a cherished homecoming? Grammy Award-nominated artist Shawn Mullins, a name synonymous with profound songwriting, is set to grace The Loft’s Green Room stage once more on Saturday, June 14th, for a special solo performance which promises to be both nostalgic and exhilarating.

For many in Columbus, Shawn Mullins isn’t just a Grammy winner; he’s a familiar face, an indelible part of the local music story since The Loft’s early days. This homecoming, to a venue with such a special place in his heart and history, feels like a genuine reunion, honoring the deep connections made as The Loft’s music scene first blossomed.

Mullins’ first encounters with Columbus were through the Army, serving as a reserve officer for infantry basic and Airborne School at Fort Benning in the late 80s and early 90s. While those initial visits kept him largely confined to the base, this Georgia boy, who grew up in Decatur in the 70s and 80s, found his true introduction to the soul of the city a few years later, with the opening of The Loft. 

“In ’92, ’93, when Buddy opened it, those of us who were playing regularly at a place called Eddie’s Attic [in Atlanta]… started to play down there,” Mullins recalls, painting a picture of a tight-knit community of singer-songwriters discovering a new home in Columbus. He fondly remembers playing an early Columbus date on Broadway, likely in 1993, and has maintained his musical connection ever since.

His memories aren’t just of the stage. Mullins vividly describes the atmosphere beneath The Loft, where Buddy Nelms’ dear friend, Mrs. Oksun, ran a popular Chinese eatery. Shawn fondly recalls Mrs. Oksun’s cuisine and the welcoming front-of-house staff. This shared community spirit was a hallmark of the time, much like the “Backyard Boogies” that characterized the burgeoning music scene. Reflecting on it all, Mullins says, “It was wonderful … and I don’t think that spirit has ever gone away.”

That sense of community, of shared experiences and a genuine love for music, is a recurring theme when Mullins speaks of Columbus. He laughs as he recounts stories of staying at the old Colony Inn in those early, lean years on the road, admitting he eventually preferred sleeping in his tidy camper van. “I was so green,” he muses. “Once I had to really hit the road, I found you get less picky about where you stay. You just start carrying a can of bug spray with you if you have to.”

It was during these grueling early touring days, just before a much-needed break, that Mullins penned his iconic Grammy-nominated hit, “Lullaby.” The song was born from a captivating two-hour conversation with a woman he met at the famous Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles, a venue renowned for its upscale Chinese cuisine and vibrant music scene.

“She just blew my mind for an hour or two … all of these stories of famous people that she grew up with and was around. She learned how to roll a joint when she was four,” he shares, the surprise still evident in his voice. He spoke about how “Lullaby” wasn’t just her story; it was a reflection of his own struggles. “I think I was partly telling myself everything was going to be alright,” he confesses. “My back was so messed up back then and I was eating so poorly.”

Despite the comforting chorus, Mullins acknowledges the song’s melancholic depth. “If you listen to those lyrics, they’re really sad. I’m singing that even though it’s not alright, and it’s not going to be alright. Someone still needs to hear it. “This reflects the raw, honest emotion that defines his songwriting, a quality he admires in literary giants like Steinbeck and musical masters like Kristofferson and James McMurtry. “Tell the truth. That’s what it’s really all about, not BSing everyone,” he says.

It was around this time, or a little later, that Mullins also found significant success as a co-writer, assisting with writing the Zac Brown Band’s country number one hit “Toes.” “That was around the time my son was born and that money really helped out over the next couple years while I wasn’t touring much,” he says.

Fame, Mullins reveals, was never his primary goal. After “Lullaby” skyrocketed him to mainstream attention, he admits feeling “like a fraud, in a way, because I wanted to be back in smaller places, like The Loft. That’s where I feel comfortable.” He explains that the intimate settings are where he truly connects with the audience and finds authenticity. 

Shawn Mullins’ solo performance will undoubtedly be a highlight of The Loft’s 33rd-anniversary celebration. Attendees can expect an intimate evening of storytelling and song, delivered with the sincerity that has become his hallmark. He’ll share beloved classics like “Lullaby” and “Light You Up,” alongside newer material like “The Great Unknown,” a song he feels “kind of represents where I am now.”

Shawn Mullins, now traveling less to prioritize family more, is excited for the Columbus stop on his Midwest tour. “I’m really looking forward to it,” he says. “I know I’ll see a lot of familiar faces. Y’all come on out. I think it’s going to be great.”

The festivities kick off early, promising a full night of incredible music across both rooms. Here’s what’s in store:

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The Loft 33rd Anniversary Program – Saturday, June 14th

• 5:45 p.m.: Doors Open
• Loft Club Room Preliminary Act: Brittney Allen (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
• 7:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.: Thoughts from Buddy Nelms on 33 years in business – A moment to reflect on The Loft’s incredible journey.
• Green Room First Act: Shawn Mullins (Solo Performance) (7:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) – Don’t miss this special, intimate set.
• 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: Sweet South All-Stars (Green Room) – Expect high-energy Roots Rock & Blues from this talented lineup!
• 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.: Dyer Davis (Club Room) – Catch the main act for a night of soulful tunes.

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Tickets for this special anniversary event are a flat $33 and can be purchased at the door.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Columbus’ rich history and witness a true artist return to where some of his most impactful stories began. It’s a night to celebrate enduring music, genuine community, and the magic that is The Loft.