We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sheri Thrower a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheri , thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I took the biggest risk of my life when I decided to end my twenty plus years as a public school music teacher, to become a full time vocal coach and music producer..

I had no other choice. I was burning the candle at both ends by teaching school all day, then traveling to produce on weekends. I was traveling at least once a week during the week, as well. This meant I would teach all day, leave right after school, ,travel to another state for another music opportunity, and back home the same night. I would get home at 2 am, sleep about four hours, then go back to school. This was a weekly event for me.

I decided that life was too short not to pursue my first love, producing and artist development, so I finished my year in teaching and said goodbye to that season.

I’m so glad I made the decision to pursue my passion. The Lord has provided. It has been a huge step of faith, but I love every moment of it. I could live in the studio. Well, I almost do!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I got into the music and entertainment industry when casting directors and agents started calling me about children’s voices and choirs I was producing.

My elementary school Children’s choir of 120 voices was invited to perform at Radio City Music Hall, in NYC. The managers of RCMH would even invite their family members to hear us. They loved us because we were kids singing grown up music! The first song that got casting agents’ attention was our YouTube video of “Listen to the Music” by well known 70’s rock group, “The Doobie Brothers”. One of the band members’ wife actually called me about the video. The band loved our kids!

This opened doors to open for major recording artists and more traveling. I took a few members from this Children’s Choir to perform my own professional choir called SingAkadamie.. From there, I started The Grove Jesus Music, training songwriters and recording artists. Presently, I am an artist developer for TGJM and the kids from my elementary choir, now in their Twenties, are in it. And we are still getting contacted by reality television talent show casting producers and more. I also produce secular music; pop and country. All our music is on Spotify and more.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a music producer is watching people I mentor and produce succeed. Beyond this, and even more importantly, is the friendship and family type bond we share. The Grove Jesus Music are simply seeds planted with wonderful creatives, now fully blossomed “fruit” of fabulous music, which can be heard all over the world.

I love when their music is played on radio and we get to hear it for the first time together. Some of our music has been signed to film and television libraries and it’s thrilling to watch the process of success with the writers and singers.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

There are several goals and missions that drive my creative journey. My fist goal is to help write and produce heart music. I am a Christ follower, so writing and co-writing about Jesus, who saved my life, is first with me. It is important to have the name, Jesus, in our title.

The second goal, is to bring unity to our nation through music, working with people in the music and entertainment industry. Recently, this past summer, I had the honor of producing Eddie Luisi, known as Stage Manager to The Stars at ABC’s “Good Morning America”. It has been so fun working with and recording him! And our audience has expanded with his friends and ours combined. Although The Grove Jesus Music is Christian Music, we have an outreach in the entertainment field. It’s about making music together with a message of hope. Hopefully, we are demonstrating a strong message of unity.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.sherithrower.net
• Instagram: Thegrovejesusmusic
• Facebook: Sheri Thrower
• Linkedin: Sheri Thrower
• Youtube: The Grove Jesus Music

Image Credits
Sentra Weaver. Jennifer Russell Starks, Eddie Luisi, Sheri Thrower, Daniel Dennis, Rob Alley, Nick Hickman, Phil and Cyndi Pugh.