10 Things You May Not Know About Dan + Shay
Dan + Shay are one of the most successful duos in country music and their star has continued to rise with the release of their latest album, Good Things, on August 13. The duo is very active on social media and often keep the lines of communication open between themselves and their fans. Even so, there still may be some facts the average country fan doesn’t know about the superstar duo. Here are 10 things you may not know about Dan + Shay.
- Shay Mooney’s name is actually James.
Although the lead singer of Dan + Shay goes by Shay Mooney, his real name is actually James. Of course, his middle name is Shay, which is where he gets his stage name. It’s unclear why he opts not to use his given first name, but he passed the name onto his son, Asher, who bears James as his middle name.
2. Mooney was homeschooled as a child.
Mooney grew up in Natural Dam, Arkansas and attended two high schools, Union Christian Academy and Van Buren High School. However, before he attended in-person classes, he was homeschooled. Mooney told Bobby Bones on an episode of the BobbyCast that he was homeschooled up until fifth grade.
3. Mooney considered himself the class clown.
With a voice like the one Mooney has, one would think he would be known as the singer in school, but Mooney says that wasn’t his reputation. He told the BobbyCast that while he did sing in chapel at his Christian high school, he was more well-known as the funny guy or the class clown.
4. Mooney once had a record deal with rapper T-Pain.
Once Mooney began singing, his talent was apparent and it even garnered the attention of rapper T-Pain. Mooney met T-Pain through one of the rapper’s backup dancers, who set up a FaceTime call between them. Mooney told the BobbyCast that T-Pain asked him to play a show with him in Memphis, which led to Mooney signing a record deal on T-Pain’s Nappy Boy Entertainment label. That record contract was shuttered once he met duo partner Dan Smyers and formed Dan + Shay.
5. Dan Smyers went to school to study finance.
Similar to Mooney, Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers also showed musical talent at a young age, even signing his first record deal and joining his first band at age 15. Despite the fact that he was clearly set for a career in music, Smyers still attended college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and majored in finance. Smyers told Pittsburgh Magazine that he sees a connection between math and music and that his education actually helped him in the music business.
“I have always loved math and always thought the similarities between music and math were really cool,” he told the publication. “I was also very interested in business. I mean, being in a band is basically [like being] a small-business owner. Our business managers probably hate me because I overanalyze everything, but I love the business side of music.”
6. Smyers was in emo and rock bands before turning country.
Dan Smyers began playing in bands and touring at a young age, but his early projects were not country bands. At age 15, Smyers joined an emo band called Transition which toured with groups like MXPX, The Rocket Summer and Reel Big Fish. He was then part of a rock/pop duo called Bonaventure with former Holiday Parade band member Andy Albert before linking up with Mooney for Dan + Shay.
7. Smyers and his wife are passionate about rescuing animals.
Smyers and his wife Abby are incredibly passionate about rescuing animals, and they even met at an animal rescue center. The couple own multiple dogs themselves, and they often foster other dogs to help them find their forever homes. In February 2021, Dan and Abby graciously adopted a 16-year-old chihuahua named Missy who lived with them until she passed in May. In a post announcing her passing, Smyers shared that he and Abby were heartbroken over the pup’s death.
“Missy, we love you and you’ll always hold a special place in our hearts. may all your days be sunny, and your little tail never stop wagging,” wrote the singer.
8. Smyers was a super fan before becoming a musician himself.
Smyers and Mooney have seen unmitigated success in the country music industry as Dan + Shay, but like many great musicians, Smyers was a big music fan before he himself became famous. The singer told Pittsburgh Magazine that he would go to concerts hours early in hopes of meeting the artist, which only helps him understand his own fans now.
“Not sure if I was a groupie, but I was one of those kids waiting in the parking lot hours before a show taking pictures on my disposable camera,” said Smyers. “I can now appreciate when fans do come early for our shows.”
9. Smyers and Mooney are both Star Wars fans.
Not only are Dan + Shay fans of music, but they also enjoy watching the Star Wars movies and shows. Mooney talked to the BobbyCast in 2020 about his love of Star Wars and his interest in the The Mandalorian. And according to an interview with The Turnip Truck, the duo bonded with Nashville songwriter Chris DeStefano about their shared love of the franchise.
“We’re all nerds. We love Star Wars and The X-Files. He is the greatest nerd ever,” they said.
10. The duo met in an interesting place.
Smyers and Mooney’s musical journeys eventually led them to Nashville, and the future hitmakers first met at a house party at Smyers’ home in December 2012. Upon walking in Smyers’ home, Mooney noticed something strange — a tent or “fort” was set up in the middle of the living room. Smyers explained to Taste of Country that he had set up the tent (made up of sheets) to stay warm, as he couldn’t afford to pay for heat. The partygoers, including Mooney, huddled in the fort that night and sang together. It was after that party that the two singers created Dan + Shay and began writing hit songs.
