Dan + Shay joined The Bobby Bones Show to talk all about their new era of their career with new music, and personal lives.
Bobby asked if people still confuse the two, Dan + Shay shared that people definitely still mix them up, often making comments on social media or using it as an icebreaker in public by asking which one is Dan and which one is Shay. They stand in the same order consistently, both in photos and on stage, but the confusion continues. Dan’s real name is Daniel and Shay’s real name is Shay. However, Shay shared that his full name is James Shay Mooney and that he was named after his grandfather. His mother always called him Shay, and no one has ever called him James, including during high school. They all joked about how Dan + Shay could have alternative name combinations, like “Jimmy Shay” and “Shay James.”
Dan + Shay both came in the studio wearing all black, noting the look was intentional, representing a shift in aesthetic for a new era of music. Previous visuals leaned more toward denim and outdoorsy themes, while this new phase introduces a different style. They also noted that they often change the color of their plus sign in their logo with each era and have now returned to black and white. When it comes to releasing new music, Dan said they are perfectionists and tend to take longer with their songs, obsessing over details in mixing and mastering. They are working on being more open during the creative process and sharing music earlier than in the past. When asked about their new song “Say So,” Dan explained that it came from a deeply personal place. The duo wrote the song with Jimmy Robbins and David Hodges during a creative period in Nashville. The song was inspired by Ben Vaughn, who had signed them to their first publishing deal and helped introduce them to their record label. Vaughn later died by suicide, and the loss impacted many in the music community. They wrote “Say So” while reflecting on Vaughn and initially were unsure if the song would be released, thinking of it as something they needed to create for therapeutic reasons. After playing the song for his wife, she encouraged them to release it. Dan also noted that they later realized the song was written on what would have been Vaughn’s 50th birthday. The song is heavier than their usual material but they believe it carries hope and optimism. Dan has had his own experiences with anxiety and depression, sharing that he attends therapy and encourages others, especially men, to do the same. He referenced a statistic that 80% of suicides in the United States are male and the song’s message is about encouraging communication and openness. Shay added that the process of creating this music has improved communication between the duo. Over the past six months, they have focused more on expressing themselves honestly rather than following a formula, which has made the experience of working together more enjoyable and freeing.
Bobby asked if they feel restless when not touring. They admitted they do, explaining that it can be difficult to regain momentum after time off, but once they are active again, it becomes easier to stay busy. They are looking forward to performing “Say So” live, noting it brings a different kind of moment to their set. When asked if they worry about fans not showing up after time away, both acknowledged that the fear never goes away. Even with success, artists still question whether audiences will return, adding that caring deeply about their work contributes to that insecurity.
Shay spoke about finding his “why” again through both music and family. He has four children and feels that his personal life and music are more aligned than ever before. He also mentioned a recent personal highlight, his six-year-old son had three hits in a live-pitch baseball game. Dan also shared a personal update about his dog, Joy, who was adopted during a charitable initiative years earlier. Joy has undergone multiple cancer treatments, including surgeries and chemotherapy, and continues to recover. Dan said he is grateful for each day they still have with her.
