If you’re looking for a troubadour whose songs of love and the road might speak to your heart, you’ve come to the right place today. My guest, Shawn Mullins, has just released a new album full of longing and places, some with a little of both. And if you don’t know his work, I wonder if you’ll hear the influences that I do, ranging from the mirth and joy of George Harrison and Warren Zevon to the intensity and message of Bob Dylan and a little of Michael Franks’ romantic spice? Or I could be way, way off. That’s why I’m going to talk to the man in just a moment. SHAWN MULLINS podcast excerpt: "'My Stupid Heart' is about the way I felt after a third marriage didn't work out... I felt unsuccessful as a human being in that I couldn't find a partner, although I've had wonderful relationships with all three of my wives. And I'm still close friends with two of three of them and I miss the other one." My Stupid Heart is Mullins’ 16th release and it’s packed full of songs such as the title tune and “It All Comes Down to Love” and “Pre-Apocalyptic Blues” – songs that you’ll be singing or humming along with by the second play. And, of course, there is the more serious plaint of “Ferguson,” which reflects the agony of the Missouri city. SHAWN MULLINS podcast excerpt: "When it comes to police brutality, obviously nobody wants that. I've known a lot of police officers over the years... I think it's a very small percentage (doing bad things), but it's getting a lot of attention. The fact that it's happening and that people can be profiled and it leads to violent situations just because of the color of someone's skin is pretty screwed up. That song, 'Ferguson,' is about the whole picture. A lot of people said, 'Don't name it that,' but that made us want to do it even more." Mullins is on tour through at least the end of spring, including a four-day birthday bash appearance in Duluth, Georgia, in early March and participation in the Safety Harbor SongFest on April 3rd right here in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area. Today, he performs two songs live for us: “The Great Unknown” and “Pre-Apocalyptic Blues.” Key interview moments: • 5:50 Shawn Mullins talks about how police brutality and racial profiling moved him to write his new song, "Ferguson"; • 23:45 After his third marriage fell apart, Mullins explains how he took a six-year hiatus from the road -- and relationships; • 43:45 Mullins tells how he met his writing partner Chuck Cannon, who then introduced him to his wife, actress and country music singer Lari White, who produced "My Stupid Heart." Shawn Mullins • • • •  • • • • READ!