River Shook (born September 15, 1985), known professionally by their birth name Sarah Shook, is an American country singer-songwriter from Chatham County, North Carolina. Their "high lonesome" style incorporates country-punk, twang, and outlaw country. Shook was born in Rochester, New York. They were homeschooled and grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family where music was restricted; they were permitted only to listen to classical and worship music. When Shook was 9 years old they taught themselves piano, and in high school they taught themselves acoustic guitar. The family moved often when Shook was young. In July 2005, when they were 19 years old, they and their family moved to Garner, North Carolina.