Shannon McNally was born in Hempstead, on Long Island. While studying anthropology in college, McNally began singing and playing guitar in clubs, and after graduating honed her skills on the streets of Paris as a busker. The willowy, graceful McNally secured a deal with Capitol in 1997. While the label was interested in marketing her as a second-wave Alanis Morissette, McNally herself was intent on making an acoustic record. Eventually, she won the execs over and entered the studio with a talented bunch of studio pros who included Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench, and Greg Leisz.