Shawn began working in the music scene in the late 1970s, first in Austin, Texas and she moved to New York City in 1980 and became involved with the "Fast Folk" cooperative in Greenwich Village.
Shawn began working in the music scene in earnest in the late 1970s, first in Austin, Texas and then nationally. She moved to New York City in 1980, where she became involved with the "Fast Folk" cooperative in Greenwich Village.