Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheldon Ferguson.
Sheldon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I first took interest in music when I was eleven years old. My family attended Brookland Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina; listening to the musicians who played there inspired me to pick up the guitar. My father signed me up for private lessons and I was blessed to have amazing teachers such as Chris Richards, Daniel O’dell, JT Smith and my mentor Terence Young. I enjoyed playing in my bedroom and occasionally at church until Mike Stone met me over at Sim’s Music Store and asked me to join his band. I spent my high school days performing around town with Mike Stone, Soul Unique and often as a solo artist. At the age of seventeen I released my first album and left my hometown soon after to study music at Berklee College.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Music I knew that Atlanta would be a great place to further my career. I started off playing local gigs around town and eventually found my way into record production. Since then I’ve had the privilege of working with Chris Brown, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Lil Baby and many more. I’ve also down some work in the film world, I played guitar on the soundtrack for Oprah Winfreys TV series Greenleaf as well as appearing on the show. I also will be appearing in MGM’s Respect film, detailing the life of the Aretha Franklin. Since moving to Atlanta I’ve also released a second album titled Soul Searching and will soon release my new R&B project, Love Languages.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve definitely had my share of challenges and setbacks along the way but learning from them has been a beautiful process. Things don’t always happen the way you expect them to but you can’t allow yourself to get hung up on a bad situation. As long as you keep working and have patience you will win in the end. I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’m in a better position now because of it. My grandfather once told me that experience is the best teacher, unfortunately some of these experiences will be negative ones but they will make you stronger.
We’d love to hear more about your music.
I believe that what sets me apart as an artist, producer and songwriter is my ability to connect with the listener. As someone who has studied music on the college level, I can honestly say that understanding the value of simplicity is what allows me to make great music. Talent means nothing if you don’t have a story to tell or the ability to relate to someone with your music. I pay close attention to how consumers experience music and what they value in the music that they love; then I take that information into consideration when creating or performing. I also strive to dig deep and pull music out of me that is honest and from the heart because I know my audience will feel where I’m coming from.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta is a great city for those who are willing to put in the work. Your experience here is what you make of it. I have very much enjoyed my time here; I’ve done a lot of work and made great relationships. Atlanta is also well connected to other major cities and other parts of the world so it makes for a great home base. It’s not for everyone but I would definitely recommend it to anyone with the proper mindset and sense of work ethic.
Contact Info:
- Website: sheldonferguson.com
- Email: bookingsfmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sheldonferg
- Facebook: facebook.com/sheldonferg
- Twitter: twitter.com/sheldonferg
Image Credit:
Asia Smith
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