Ex Factor

Long before she was “discovered” at age 11, singer/songwriter Shannon Curfman had plans to become rich, but she wasn’t dreaming of fast cars or big houses. “I wanted to be a doctor, because they made money,” Curfman, now 20, tells New Times. “And I knew to buy all of the toys and candy I wanted it required lots of money.”

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Plan B was to become a female bodybuilder, a cashier, or a rock star. Luckily, Curfman chose the last. She signed with Arista Records at age 14, and has since appeared with the likes of Carlos Santana and B.B. King. Her gritty, blues-inspired tunes have also been showcased on episodes of The Sopranos and Gilmore Girls and in the film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Curfman made an unexpected departure from the music scene after her debut album, Loud Guitars, Big Suspicions, rocketed to No. 3 on the Billboard blues charts, prompting rumors of everything from cancer to rehab. The real ailment? Boyfriend-itis.

“We were together for a couple of years,” says Curfman of her ex, “but I realized how much my music, my career, and myself as a whole took a backseat to such a highly unhealthy relationship. It really lit a fire under my you-know-what to get my record company, booking agency, and my touring career up and running again.”