We were lucky to catch up with Sheril Rodgers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sheril , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

I served as a School Board Trustee for 9 years. I understand the “business” of running a school district, but have observed our children being underserved academically because we are teaching them to meet minimum standards. All children learn differently and while some adapt to standardized learning, others need to be supported for the talents they have such as the creative arts, music, and technology.

For instance, what does an “A” really mean? I have observed children (and especially parents) stress over “grades” when sometimes the child’s talents are overlooked and not given the ability to develop. I have lots of stories about these situations, especially with my own children and grandchildren. An example, we discovered my grandson was loosing his hearing in the 3rd grade. The suggestion was to hold him back to help him catch up with his reading. This was the first time we observed “childhood depression”. He didn’t understand why he was being held back and was also bullied for being “dumb”.

How my daughter and I supported him was by asking him if he would like to make a movie. He had a great idea about a partially deaf kid in a post-apocalyptic world so we empowered him to write the story and make all production decisions from locations, casting, wardrobe and actions. As a result, the 10 minute short film has won numerous awards at film festivals and has helped his confidence! These are opportunities that are not taught is most schools (especially at the elementary level). He is now a 15 year old Freshman playing football on a varsity team in Tustin, California. And….the name of the short film is “THE LAST KIDS” Movie by Taven Epps.

Sheril , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve had many careers in my life; from being a flight attendant, a director of sales at a corporate dude ranch, and an insurance broker for a major insurance company. But, had my mother not died at the age of 14, my life would have been quite different.

I always had natural talent, but after she died, I focused on helping raise my 5 younger siblings and getting an education. My main goal was to graduate from high school and get a job. You see, in 1972 my only 2 options were to get married, or get a job. I got the job. Every job I have ever had has prepared for the next experience in my life. I have been so luck to always be at the right place at the right time and my careers have exposed me to travel and meeting influential people who have helped me along the way.

My first husband was a phenomenal musician who taught me a lot about the discipline of singing. He and I toured all over the US in a rock band and show band. After our divorce, one of my best friends introduced me to a singer/songwriter who happened to be Merle Haggard’s best friend. He introduced me to Merle and we wrote songs, thus winning a BMI MILLIONAIRE AWARD for one of his hit songs.

After touring with Merle, I met my 2nd husband, who was the “Winston Man” and worked as his manager and raised our 3 kids. We were married 13 years when he passed away from colon cancer. After this, I focused on raising a family, but all of the emotion of the past 20 years was poured into about 60 songs which I have copywritten and published.

I went back to college, and worked as a costume designer for theater productions, which led to films, which led me back to acting which let me to writing and producing.

I have produced about 15 short films, several documentaries, and PSA’s. I am often hired as a supervising producer when a production needs someone to clean house or assist in various departments.

I established COWTOWN SOUND PRODUCTIONS as a team of like minded creatives who work on both sides of the camera in film and in theater. We support one another in any way we can because when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Actually, my daughters and I have started a clothing company called “JAGGED THREADS”.

We repurpose clothing an plan to sell it on-line. We are in the process of completing our website and will sell directly to the consumer.

Many of the items we are repurposing have been used in movies where I was the designer, so I guess you could say I am the manufacturer! The process is very labor intensive, but after this first roll-out, we will refine our manufacturing processes. But we are, after all, selling one-of-a kind items.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think I answered this question earlier. But, to elaborate….although I have had so much loss in my live, I have so much joy!

I have had some amazing experiences and met some amazing people along the way. Heck, the first celebrity I ever met was CHER! (long story, but I was sitting next to her back stage at an Allman Brothers concert). And…I met PRINCE in an elevator after he opened for Diana Ross (another long story, but one of my friends played violin in her orchestra and we were going to the hotel after the show). I have so many of these fun stories.

But, my motto is ‘We are all students, and we are all coaches”
So, I am continuously learning and then coaching.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: therealsherilrodgers
• Facebook: therealsherilrodgers
• Linkedin: sheril rodgers
• Twitter: therealsherilrodgers
• Youtube: Sheril ‘Rodger
• Other: IMDB Sheri Rodgers

Image Credits
Arthur Bryan Marroquin Stacey Lea