This kicked off an early career during which Arender performed tributes to Elvis at various venues in New Orleans,[6] across the south, and in Las Vegas.

In 2000, at age 20, Arender briefly performed at the Imperial Palace in Biloxi, Mississippi, for the popular "Legends in Concert".

[9][citation needed] In 2007, Arender released a solo tribute album titled "American Trilogy",[10] that was only made available at his live shows.

In 2011, Arender performed over 100 shows, called "The Great American Songbook Experience", at Branson, Missouri's Hall of Fame Theatre[14] In 2012, Arender returned to Las Vegas, where he was approached by friend and performer George Bugatti on behalf of the estate of music composer Harold Arlen managed by his son, Sam Arlen, known for writing the songs of "The Wizard of Oz"[15] and other American standards, such as Frank Sinatra's "One for My Baby", "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", and I've Got the World on a String" ,[16] which Sam Arlen had heard him sing online.

Following this contact, the Harold Arlen Estate/Yellow Brick Productions hired Arender to perform for their musical "The Wonderful Wizard of Song".

Shea's latest project is working to hone his original musical style with 7x Grammy-winning Producer/Mixer/Arranger/Writer Steve Thompson [25] and noted Producer/Performer Damon Elliott,[26] the son of Dionne Warwick.