Shay Mooney of Dan +Shay Says His First Gig Ever was “Horrifying”

(L-R) Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay
(L-R) Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay (Photo Credit: Catherine Powell)

Dan + Shay are one of the biggest duos in country music. However, Shay Mooney recalls the time he first stepped on a stage and it wasn’t such a good thing.

Dan + Shay got back to performing live shows after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. The duo’s arena tour plays to pack audiences these days. However, Shay shares the memory of his first gig a long, long time ago. He was not part of the duo Dan + Shay, but a part of a trio instead.

“Oh man, the first gig I’ve ever played, it was ridiculous. I think I was about nine years old, actually I was probably a little bit younger, maybe about seven. Me and my sisters had a trio, it was pretty great. We had ridiculous names, I’m pretty sure my mom tried to name it ‘Moon Song’ at one point.”

Dan Smyers jumps in to ask, “Did you wear a wig?”

“Yes I did, it was great. It was the worst name ever, we just went by the Moonies. Gabby and Erica were my trio partners. We played at this church function. We got there and we’re doing all these songs and I was so nervous and it was the first time I’d ever played out. I’ll remember that forever and I love my sisters they’re amazing and that was definitely my first gig, it was horrifying.”

The Dan + Shay arena tour continues this week in Philly,  at New York’s World Famous Madison Square Garden, in Pittsburgh and Greensboro, North Carolina. We’re sure the show is much better than when Shay was seven and part of the Moonies.

Listen for the latest number one single from Dan + Shay “Glad You Exist” on Bloomington-Normal’s #1 Country, B104.

What did you do with your siblings and/or friends when you were young that makes you laugh now?

By: Buck Stevens
Buck Stevens