Joe Shanahan is the founder and owner of

Metro Chicago Metro (formerly the Stages Music Hall and Cabaret Metro) is a concert hall in Chicago, Illinois, United States, that plays host to a variety of local, regional and national emerging bands and musicians. The Metro was first opened in 1982. The ...

and Smart Bar in Chicago, Illinois. He is also the part owner of the Daily Bar and Grill, as well as

Double Door Double Door, a concert hall and nightclub, was located in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The venue was first opened on June 12, 1994, and was co-owned by Andrew Barrett, Sean Mulroney and Joe Shanahan. On Ju ...

. Shanahan is regarded as an expert in the field of independent music promotion, speaking for groups including DePaul University, Columbia College, City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs, MOBfest, South By Southwest, CIC and Canadian Music Week. Shanahan was one of the earliest supporters of the

Smashing Pumpkins Smash may refer to: People * Smash (wrestler) (born 1959), professional wrestler * Moondog Rex, another professional wrestler who briefly wrestled as the original Smash, before being replaced by the above. * DJ Smash, DJ and music producer Ar ...

. He also managed the

Smoking Popes Smoking Popes is an American pop punk band from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. They are composed of brothers Matt Caterer (bass), Josh Caterer (lead vocals/guitar) and Eli Caterer (guitar/backing vocals) and Mike Felumlee (drums). History ...

as well as Diane Izzo. Shanahan serves on the board of

Rock For Kids Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

, a charity providing Christmas gifts and music lessons to homeless and needy children in Chicago. On October 11, 2007, Shanahan was awarded a Recording Academy Honors from the Chicago Chapter of The Recording Academy in recognition of Metro's 25 years in the Chicago music community. In the summer of 2008, Shanahan publicly opposed the Promoters Ordinance proposed by the city of Chicago. He was part of a group of business leaders who convinced the city to table the proposal.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shanahan, Joe American music industry executives Businesspeople from Chicago Living people people from Evergreen Park, Illinois Year of birth missing (living people)