A Martinsville, VA native, he began playing the piano at a mere 7 years old. As a child he matured into a skilled pianist and Hammond B3 player whose voracious musical study allowed him to authentically portray the style and feel needed for nearly all genres. Shilling also developed steadily as a guitarist, while honing his songwriting and natural emotional vocal ability, which has become his calling card.
2007 found Shilling joining acclaimed Bluegrass and Americana ensemble Mountain Heart. His robust vocals, evolving signature piano stylings and nimble guitar work enhanced the group’s rich acoustic sound. Shilling and

 Mountain Heart have now played on the Grand Ole Opry over 130 times, shared the stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd during their 2008 summer tour, opened for artists like The Marshall Tucker Band, The Avett Brothers, Levon Helm, and many more. He’s also fronted or backed artists like The Lee Boys, Bryan White, The Traveling McCoury’s, Del McCoury, legendary guitarist Tony Rice and many more.

While his career already includes performances on hundreds of albums, dozens of songs recorded by artists including two Grammy-winning albums by The Infamous Stringdusters and The Travelin’ McCourys, a Grammy-nominated album by Sierra Hull, the title track of the latest Diamond Rio album, Lee Ann Womack, and Mountain Heart, to name a few, Shilling continues to tour internationally and stay creative with hopes of a second solo project in the near future.