Rising Stars: Meet Tyler Sherard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Sherard.

Hi Tyler, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. More specifically, the suburban town of Parkville… about 20 minutes outside of the city. I spent the first 20 years of my life there until I moved here to Atlanta in July of 2015. Since then, I haven’t seen a normal 9-5 job. I’ve been working solely in the music industry five and a half years strong. My dad is a drummer so he got me started in music at a very young age. As early as nine months as my mom tells it. Growing up, I always wanted to be around music. I didn’t really care for the “normal” toys and games most kids grow up playing with. Music was that “toy” for me. I never really had friends either… and as sad as that sounds, I didn’t care to have them.

I always wanted to be around my dad and his friends, who played music as well. He would always take me to festivals and gigs he would play that allowed kids. On stage, he’d have me sit right behind him while he was playing and I would air drum the entire time. As time passed, and with the help of family and friends, I started learning other instruments. Drums were first of course… then bass, then guitar, and finally piano. I sing, write, and produce as well. With all of those instruments and gifts put together, I’ve been able to pursue and see a lot of dreams come true musically. I started in the “bar scene” playing solo and trio gigs with the help of my good friends and some of ATL’s finest DayShawn Mojica, Fransisco Vidal, and Sami Michelsen (Reptile Room)… just naming a couple. From there, I got my foot in the corporate door playing weddings and high-end events around February of 2017. That was with Creativity Band and Azz-Izz based out of Music Garden. That lasted about two and a half years and still happens from time to time.

In November of 2018, I landed my first tour opportunity. And this is one of my biggest goals/dreams. It was with an artist based in Charlotte named Will Wildfire for the R&B Only Tour. After that, I started touring with JustLoud… our first show was in Fort Lauderdale, opening up for 311… stage looking right out into the oceanfront… I will never forget that show. My most recent road opportunity was with AJ Ghent (son of steel legend Aubrey Ghent). He was the first to take me out of the country on tour. I played bass and keys for him for maybe about a year. Ending right before COVID happened. Since then, I’ve mainly kept busy with studio sessions and church live streams. Some of my session works include artists such as EarthGang, Rudy Currence, Just Loud, Skooly, Jai’len Josey, and a few others. I’m thankful for every opportunity that has brought me to this point. And look forward to the ones yet to come.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is never a smooth road, unfortunately. All of these opportunities have come with some sort of lessons both musically and life in general. Beforehand, during, and after. However, I am a man of faith and believe there are tests and trials in everything in life. Not just music. Everything happens for a specific reason and those things only make you stronger. As a musician and as a human being. Everything happens the way God intended it to happen. Good example in my personal journey… one of the biggest calls I have ever gotten was to go audition as a bassist and keyboard player for country artist Jake Owen. I received the music, studied it, etc. the night beige the audition I made a life decision I had no business making. I won’t go into detail… the next morning I got up, headed to Nashville, and the whole way there, listened and continued to study the music.

I get to the audition location and wait my turn. When my turn came, I got up, got set and in place, and as soon as we started playing… forgot EVERYTHING. My mind completely froze. Long story short, I didn’t get the job. You can be as prepared as you want to be. The struggles you face, the decisions you make in life, and how you handle them can and will affect the opportunities you chase after, either for the good or the bad. It’s your choice! But count each of those as a lesson and take that as an opportunity to do better the next time and know that again, everything happens for a reason!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a multi-instrumentalist, music director, writer, and producer. My four instruments (in order) are drums, bass, guitar, and keys. I’m also a singer/songwriter. I’ve worked with various artists, both live and in-studio. Some artists include: EarthGang Rudy Currence Just Loud AJ Ghent, Will Wildfire Skooly K-Major Chase Martin Anne Marie Jai’len Josey I’m most proud of my work ethic. My ability to set goals and dreams and go after them and work for them until I see it happen.

What’s next?
Really just continuing to pursue my dreams. A lot of the things I really want to do have been affected by COVID, such as road work and touring. But it hasn’t stopped me from working towards other goals. And I believe 2021 is gonna bring a lot of new opportunities… for all of us. I’m planning to drop some solo music in 2021 as well.

Pricing:

• Bass Lessons – $50 per hour
• Recording Rates – $50/loop $100/arrangement

Contact Info:

• Email: tsherard94@gmail.com
• Instagram: @t_sherardmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSherard94
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC1WPFCtEunzUERDhz2TjiOQ