Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney make up the award-winning country pop duo Dan + Shay. Dan Smyers was born on August 16, 1987, making him 38 years old, while Shay Mooney was born on December 27, 1991, making him 34 years old. The two musicians share a four-year age gap that has anchored their partnership since they first crossed paths in Nashville.
Fans often search for their ages when tracking the group's rapid ascent on the country music charts, their tenure as coaches on The Voice, or their evolution from independent songwriters into multi-Grammy winners. Understanding how old Dan and Shay are requires looking at their individual origins, their chance meeting in 2012, and how their distinct life stages shaped their breakthrough hits.
Individual Birth Dates and Backgrounds
To understand the makeup of the duo, it helps to examine each member's background and birth details. They grew up in different parts of the country before converging on the Nashville songwriting scene.
Dan Smyers
Dan Smyers was born on August 16, 1987, in Wexford, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Before pursuing music full-time, he attended Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied finance and played football. He balanced his education with a deep-seated passion for songwriting, playing in local bands and learning guitar and piano. After graduating in 2010, he made the permanent move to Nashville to chase a career in country music.
Shay Mooney
Shay Mooney was born on December 27, 1991, in Natural Dam, Arkansas. He grew up writing music from a young age and spent time developing his voice and performance style as a solo artist, even signing briefly with a label before pivoting toward country music. His early exposure to vocal coaching and independent recording gave him a distinct edge when he arrived in Music City.
How Dan and Shay Met and Formed the Duo
The pair met at a house party in Nashville in December 2012. At the time, Dan was 25 years old and Shay was 21 years old. Both were writing songs for other artists and trying to secure publishing deals.
When they sat down to write together for the first time that night, they immediately recognized an uncommon vocal and creative chemistry. Within months, they recorded a batch of demos, secured a record deal with Warner Music Nashville, and chose the moniker Dan + Shay. Their collaboration bypassed the typical multi-year struggle faced by many emerging acts, largely because their vocal styles—Dan's smooth tenor blending with Shay's powerful, soaring range—complemented each other instantly.
Age Milestones and Career Timeline
Tracking their ages alongside their discography highlights how quickly they transitioned from young hopefuls to chart-topping veterans:
- At ages 26 and 22 in 2013, they released their debut single, "19 You + Me," which climbed to number seven on the Country Airplay charts and earned a gold certification.
- At ages 27 and 23 in 2014, they dropped their debut studio album, Where It All Began, cementing their place on the mainstream country landscape.
- At ages 30 and 26 in 2018, they released their self-titled third studio album, featuring the global crossover mega-hit "Tequila," which won them their first Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
- At ages 36 and 32 in 2023, they released their fifth studio album, Bigger Houses, and made history as the first coaching duo on season 25 of NBC's The Voice.
Common Misconceptions About the Duo's Ages
Because Dan and Shay achieved mainstream success at a relatively young age, listeners often assume they are closer in age than they actually are, or that they started out as childhood friends.
Another common point of confusion stems from their collaborative work with major pop artists like Justin Bieber on the hit single "10,000 Hours." Because they entered the pop-country crossover space early in their careers, casual fans sometimes misjudge how long they have been active in the industry. In reality, they spent their early twenties grinding through Nashville's grueling writing rooms before catching their big break.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age difference between Dan and Shay?
There is a four-year age gap between the two members. Dan Smyers is older, born in August 1987, while Shay Mooney was born in December 1991.
When did Dan and Shay form their musical partnership?
They officially formed Dan + Shay in December 2012 after meeting at a Nashville house party and writing their first song together on the same night.
Are both members of Dan and Shay married with children?
Yes. Dan Smyers married Abby Law in 2017, and the couple focuses on animal rescue advocacy. Shay Mooney married Hannah Billingsley in 2017, and they share four children.
What was Dan and Shay's breakthrough hit song?
Their breakout single was "19 You + Me," released in late 2013 as the lead single from their debut album, Where It All Began.
