Shawn Holt began his professional career at the age of 17, touring alongside his father Magic Slim and his uncle Nick Holt, as part of the previous version of the Teardrops. Following that tour, Holt formed his own outfit, Lil' Slim and The Back Alley Blues Band, and continued learning his craft at playing the blues.
Holt became a Teardrop himself in January 2013 and toured with his father that January. During the East coast tour with Johnny Winter, Shawn's father became very ill and ended up in the hospital in Pennsylvania...he told Shawn to carry on. The Teardrops opened for Johnny Winter in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The act was well received and Winter requested that they would continue to be his support act for the remainder of his touring commitment. Shawn Holt & the Teardrops was formed in 2013 following the death of Magic Slim.