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

Vashonda , appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents Anthony Quin Sr & MzV Pannell are the best parents in the world. They are my first encounters with love, first role models, and first examples of Black Excellence. My father instilled routine, discipline, & a strong work ethic all while being a very caring, patient, and tender loving; spending quality time with my siblings & I. My mother poured a lot of love into us, the arts, positive affirmations, and taught us to stand up for what was right and to be a leader and not a follower. Through her love of music I was introduced to Earth Wind & Fire, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Toto, MJ, The Winans, Patti LaBelle, Barbara Streisand, & many many more. Moreover, laying the foundation to my eclectic musicality, setting me up to do what I love to do for a living everyday. My parents told me that I could do all things and I believed them.

Vashonda , 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?

Hey there! Vashonda Sherra here. 👋🏾 I’m a Keyboardist, Singer-Songwriter, DJ & Entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. I was born into a musical family on my mother’s side. My granny, Fern Keys, was a singer and pianist for her church for over 30 years until she left this earth. My Uncle Kevin Keys is a singer, drummer, bassist, & keyboardist. My mother, MzV, is a singer, songwriter & bassist. The first instruments I touched were my aunt’s Casio synthesizer and the upright piano inside my granny’s home in which I learned to play my first song, “Glamorous Life” by Sheila E.

I have shared the stage with a variety of amazing artists and opened for Big Freedia, Laith Ashley, Icona Pop, Angie & Debbie Winans, & Shirley Ceaser to name a few. I play with Morris Mills & The Assembly, Shiragirl, Cheri Moon, and the only all female Sublime Tribute Band, called Sheblime.
My ability to play any genre from rock n roll, R&B, jazz, funk, soul, country, & musical theater makes for the perfect addition to any band, studio recording projects, film scores/soundtracks, festivals or shows!

I’m also a huge advocate for women creators; especially, for those of us performing in the live music scene of the industry.

Furthermore, through my collective of multidisciplinary artists called “Vashonda Sherra & The Super Creatives,” I am uplifting and giving voice to marginalized communities of the Black Diaspora. Based in both Los Angeles California and São Paulo Brazil.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being able to network and having authentic connections within my network is one key to maintaining good rapport, reputation, and relationships in the music industry.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The first book I ever read as a kid in the 90s about the music business was “All About The Music Business” by Donald S. Passman. A staple read, I first learned about publishing, royalties, licensing, copyright, master recordings,..all the basic things everyone must know to be successful and navigate through the ebbs and flows of an ever evolving industry.

“The Power of Broke” by Daymond John, taps into how being broke can be your greatest advantage as an entrepreneur because b you have to think more creatively.

“Crushing It” by Gary Vaynerchuk

“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle

I’ve also always been inspired by many authors & artists of The Harlem Renaissance from Zora Neale Hurston, Bessie Smith, Anne Spencer, to Langston Hughes.

There are so many videos and resources out there. We’re truly living in the era of free information & knowledge.

However one video clip that had a positive impact & motivated me came from DJ Hed, in which he instructed to be very specific about what you want in life. Don’t just say I want to play music. You must name the venue, city, look up the address, look up the promoters, go by the area, and write it down. That’s manifestation right there. Thank you DJ Hed!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/vashondasherra
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vsherra
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/vashonda-sherra/fern-keys
• Other: For booking:

  [email protected]

Image Credits

Photographer
“Shot By Dominique” @shotbydominique

Wardrobe: MzV of Lynn’s Boutique