Life & Work with Shawn Lyons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Lyons. 

Hi Shawn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Shawn Lyons, CEO of Ground Zero Promotions, LLC. When this company was created, we had the mindset of helping bands, brands and businesses expand their reach as much as humanly possible and continue to do so every day. 

Ground Zero began in March 2020 on a mission to promote all things rock/metal in Denver, CO and surrounding areas. A very short ten months later, Ground Zero went international. Still supporting, promoting, and helping manage all things rock/metal, but on a much larger scale. 

As we all know, living a life of music of any kind can be very hard these days. Venues, bars, and restaurants are having a hard time even staying open through this pandemic. That’s what we’re here for. 

Ground Zero strongly and safely promotes all rock/metal musicians, bands, bars/restaurants, concert venues, and anything else related to the rock/metal community. 

This vision started on a relatively small scale. Only promoting rock/metal interests in Denver and surrounding areas. It didn’t take us long to figure out that there is a lot going on behind the scenes of the rock/metal community across the world. 

Ground Zero Promotions wanted in on it all. 

Promoting started with two of the amazing bands listed on our site. From there, we took off and started promoting for anyone and anything that has to do with the rock/metal community. 

Over time of seeing all sides of the rock/metal community and having some fun with it all on social media, we came to realize that there are a lot of other people that could truly benefit from what the rock/metal community has going for them if they knew about it. 

We have since grown the family to 36 bands overall varying from metalcore, death metal, black metal, hard rock, and even a cover band that turns pop into metal. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a pretty crazy road. Just like any other business though. We always have our ups and downs, but with starting the company in the middle of the global pandemic and getting the recognition that we did, even the biggest obstacles that we have had to face so far, don’t really seem all that big in comparison. 

Our biggest challenge anymore, since we tapped into booking shows, is getting in touch with bigger venues to put on bigger shows. Collectively, our ambitions are astronomical and we thrive on having big dreams and putting plans together to accomplish them. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my opinion, what sets us apart from other promoters/promotional companies is that we have built a solid foundation of camaraderie within the rock/metal scene here and have really helped people understand that we are all in this together and we really do share a common goal. Some of us see it on a bigger scale than others, but the goal is the same. 

Within the last year, I’ve been privileged to be able to stand on stage and sing with so many of our amazing brothers and sisters in the Ground Zero Family. Big thanks to Sin On Six, Bound By Years, Burdens Of Truth, Theocide, A Vintage Future, Fist Fight & Sharone for all of those amazing moments and opportunities. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
You will literally never know until you try. That’s something that stands out to me the most when I’m asked about risk-taking, Sometimes the only thing it takes is a simple email. Others it takes severe planning, lots of late nights, and headaches, but when the plan comes together, most of the time, it’s worth it. You have to analyze that ahead of time too. Is the juice really worth the squeeze? 

Contact Info:

• Email: Groundzeropromotions2020@gmail.com
• Website: GroundZeroPromotions.com
• Instagram: @groundzeropromotions
• Facebook: Facebook.com/GZmusic2020
• Twitter: @GZ_Promotions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0F3MzaL3bY77PZb9mo-_ng

Image Credits
Chris Deutsch
Jessica Reeves
Kai Frawg