Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tasman Sharp. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tasman, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In July of 2023, I started recording my first album, “Tasman Sharp, A Good Life,” which will be released in late February 2024. I have made great relationships and learned quite a bit during this project. I had written three songs on my own, “Dr. Pepper Cowboy,” “Me and My Dog,” and “We’re on the Mississippi,” and had not planned to make a record until I met Ms. Sheri Swartz from New Braunfels, TX. Ms. Sheri is a songwriter and was inspired, after 20 years of writing hibernation, to write a song after watching one of my shows at Iron Horse Bar and Grill NB. She turned back up to at my show the following week, pulled me aside during a break, and showed me the first of many songs she and I would perform and write together. “A Good Life” was the song that brought us together, and the aspirations of building an EP of 6 songs came together. We met Mr. Eric Vazquez and Mr. Dan Johnson of the Prairie Rattlers, who helped pull together a team for the EP. We recorded at the DUP Studio in Burnet, TX, thanks to Mr. Patrick Devaney. Our team consisted of Devin Atkins & Mr. Eric (Drums), Mr. Dan (Steel guitar and Producer), Mr. Joe (Bass) Miller of Reckless Kelly (Bass Guitar), Mr. Brian Duarte of Two Tons of Steel and The Jesse Lee Band (Electric Guitar), Frankie Allen (Harmony Vocals), Mr. Jet Rodel (Engineer), Mr. Drew Heaton (Master Engineer) and my sister, Avalee Lenard, singing backup vocals. When I thought the EP was done, I wrote another song called “Eternity” and two more with Ms. Sheri. With three new songs, I knew we had to record them and record them fast. This was when I turned to Mr. Brian Kinzie of Studio 36B to record the scratch, acoustic guitar, and drums while collaborating with Mr. Matt Briggs and Mr. Zack Walther of Beagle’s Nest Studio and The Zack Walther Band. Devin Atkins laid down drums again while Mr. Matt and Mr. Zack worked their magic with the rest. Recording at each of the 3 locations was a great experience, mainly because of our friendships. I will be 14 in February, so working with mentors and friends on this record has been a great mix. This gave us a nine-song first album. We have created something for all ages. Can’t wait to hear a few of these songs on the radio soon.

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.

My Name is Tasman Sharp Lenard, and I was born in Canberra, Australia. My family was stationed in Australia, and I was named after the Tasman Sea, not the cartoon character. I spent my first nine years of life traveling the world because my dad was a United States Marine. Originally from Texas, we always figured we would end up back there; however, our family first went on a 13-month boat trip on the SS RIPSNORTER called The Great American Loop. During this trip, I picked up a guitar and started singing. At the Navigator, in the Boca Chica Marina, where we stayed in Key West, FL, is where I played my first show at nine years old. It was a lunch crowd, and I knew four songs. I just played them over and over again. I did not make a dime, so I returned the next day. On day two, a retired Army Sergeant Major ate lunch and proceeded to chew out the crowd, encouraging them to throw some money in my tip jar. It was my first four bucks as a musician. From there on, I just kept practicing and learning more songs. During our boat trip, I played at farmers’ markets, restaurants, and marinas all over America. In January 2021, I played my last show from the boat in Fort Myers Beach with a Band called “Chasing Denver.” It was a lot of fun because there were People we had met a year before who knew me as a 9-year-old strumming a guitar, and now, a year later, I was playing and singing cover songs to a big crowd.

We then sold the boat and moved to New Braunfels, TX, where my Mom was born and raised. I immediately joined the School of Rock (SOR) New Braunfels, where I met all kinds of cool people, learned to play electric guitar, led a band, and built my band. I could play venues like Gruene Hall and the River Road Ice House with SOR. In the Fall of 2021, I was asked to compete in a Battle of the Bands, where the winner earned a spot to open for Grammy award-winning Shenandoah. While rehearsing, I met Caroline Kinzie, who played Keys, and Tasman Sharp and The Ripsnorters was born. We won, and my first big performance was opening for Shenandoah.

I was hooked. I just wanted to get better and better. We then met Van Smith, who played bass guitar, and over the next year, the three of us would play locally in New Braunfels, and we toured Kansas and Oklahoma. We also played the VIP Tent at the Austin Marathon in 2022 and 2023. In the Spring of 2023, Devin Atkins joined the band playing drums. We put in the hours, and the opportunity to open for the Issac Jacob Band at Gringo’s Ice House in Kingsbury, TX, presented itself to us. This is when we met Ella Broussard and added a fiddle player to the Ripsnorters. We performed a high-octane hour-long show that led to headlining the Austin Marathon 2024 Main Stage. We look forward to the addition of Miles Austin as a lead guitarist for 2024 shows.

I also worked with Mr. Kevin Geil from Two Tons of Steel during this time. Whenever he played at Gruene Hall, I put in the hard yards by loading in and loading out all summer. I finally earned my stripes, and Mr. Kevin asked me to perform with him on a Two Ton Tuesday. What an honor. We Sang “Crazy Heart” together for three weeks, and then, out of nowhere, Mr. Kevin asked me to sing “Johnny B Goode.” Man, I was excited to sing this song with Mr. Kevin, but he walked off the stage, and there I was, 13 years old, leading Two Tons of Steel. It was crazy. My opportunity happened at Gruene Hall on a Tuesday night with over a thousand people singing and dancing. Since then, I have toured with Two Tons of Steel and continue learning and soaking up every bit of knowledge Mr. Kevin will pass on. In December 2023, Mr. Kevin surprised me again by inviting Devin and Van to perform a couple of songs to open for the Two Tons of Steel Christmas Show at Gruene Hall.

For me, music is about family and friends. I turn 14 at the end of February, and I have already done some cool stuff in my lifetime. Even though I have played in cool venues in front of thousands of people and recorded my first album, I’m still a kid. I’m respectful and accountable to adults, I like to have fun, I drive my sisters crazy, and I have a hard time listening to my parents sometimes. I love my family and am loyal to a fault, much like my dad.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

This answer is simple: It was the first time that Gruene Hall did not mark my hands with two big black Xs, marking me as a minor. I was considered “an Artist” or “Talent” and a part of Two Tons of Steel. This was cool. I hated washing those Xs off. They looked bad in photos, too.

On a serious note, being creative has been easy when I think about it. Much like parents sending their kids to select sports camps or travel baseball teams, my parents have treated my music like being a team leader. Instruments are everywhere in the house, and my room is like a studio. The band practices regularly and performs year-round. The only difference between sports and my band performing is that I get compensated. I really liked hearing my first song on the radio, too. That was weird but very cool at the same time.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Support Live Music, especially Local Live Music. Get out of the house and out from behind the phone. Look up and enjoy life and the people around you. The best times are when my parents take my phone away, and I am just living. It is crazy that this is what it takes sometimes, but getting grounded from devices is for everyone! So, find a live music venue or restaurant near you, invite some friends out, and support local businesses and the artists performing. Don’t forget to tip when you see that bucket.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theripsnortersband.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasmansharpmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRipsnortersBand
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TasmanSharp

Image Credits
Aaron Alloman @poverada