Meet Sheri Thrower | Film Music Producer/Vocal Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheri Thrower and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheri, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The one thing about the music and entertainment industry that outsiders are probably unaware of is this: “Making it” is probably ten to twenty percent about your talent. The rest has to do with more. It’ not about talent alone.
As a music producer and film producer, I have musicians approach me, wanting training to get their music out there or in film. For the vocalist, many focus on simply this; their vocal ability, or ability to write a song. However, there is the mental aspect of what we do. Can you accept “No?” Because you’re going to get told “No.” Can you accept criticism? Because you are going to be criticized, especially, the higher you go. You will lose friends along the way. Not everyone who starts out with you, on your team, will be with you on the highest level. It does not mean they are bad people, it simply means that certain people are along for the ride, but the bus does come to a stop. People get off, people get on. I do think the higher we go with our careers, our circle becomes more focused with people who are as focused as we are.

The second thing I believe outsiders are probably aware of is that your team is extremely important. We do not not get anywhere alone. And it is important to listen to successful people who are already where we want to be. I have seen younger artists gain advice from “Pros” who have nothing to show for what they are doing. I have found, on my journey, that it was important to listen to people who already had their music in film. They were honest with me and willing to help me get there, too. My music is now in film because I listened to people. I did what they told me I should do, and it worked.

The third thing I believe outsiders need to know is that social media presence is highly important. If you’re not working your social media every single day and advertising what you do, you’re probably going to get lost in the shuffle. I have been teased a lot about how much I am on social media. I have received comments like, “Dang, girl. Every morning when I wake up, you’re all over my feed! Do you ever get off social media?” Well, I created a presence. And because of that presence, the people I wanted to notice my music, did notice it. Why? They noticed because I was present every day. It is like answering roll call, “Sheri?” Raise my hand, “I’m here!”

My music was placed in movies because I presented it to film libraries. But my music has also been placed in film because I simply posted the song on social media. I posted one song randomly on my social media for three years. It got “bites” from the industry, but one day it got a huge bite from a movie producer, who contacted me about it to be in his movie.

Social media presence is a must in the music and entertainment world. If you’re not present, as an artist, your money is going down the drain to record. Be present! And keep singing well, too.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
More about my art? I am an award winning Music Director. I wear many hats, including being an artist developer, film music producer, recording producer, podcaster, author and vocal/songwriting coach.

What sets me a part from others? I believe the one thing that sets me a part is that I am a music momma. Many of my clients call me “mom.” This is due to the fact that I started out as an elementary music teacher in North Georgia. Much of the talent I work with today, started back in the classroom of Boynton Elementary, when some kiddos were in kindergarten! Now, they are in their twenties. Nicholas Hickman, a Grove Jesus Music Artist, started with me in kindergarten. He is now a Grove Jesus Music Artist and also records our secular music with The Orchard. My daughter, Averi, began wit oh Nick and a few others at Boynton, then moved on to SingAkadamie, our non profit org that provides once in a lifetime performing opportunities for youth. Chelsea Brewster, an award winning vocal client, also began with me in elementary school. This is why we are the Grove; seeds planted, now a grove of fruit. As the song says, “We are Family.” We have many music awards among all of us!

Another thing that sets me a part is that I am a feeder vocal coach to America’s top reality television talent shows. Casting agents, directors and show producers have been contacting me for years about the talent we produce at Sheri Productions. Within the past year, these shows have accepted four of my students for private Zoom interviews and auditions, where I have been asked to be a part. I submit my top vocal students to these shows.

I produce the Grove Jesus Music and also have a podcast called, “Grove Moments,” available on all platforms.

How did I get here? I don’t know. I ask myself this all the time. Most of all, it has been by divine guidance from The Lord, and because He has directed my steps towards opportunity. While it was He that led me to these, it is important to say that I took the step of faith to enter each door. Sometimes God places us in rooms where we feel we don’t belong, and are not even qualified to be. This has been my experience. He had more faith in my to be successful than I ever had in myself.

My journey has not been easy. I have accomplished much through hardship at times, as a single mom, raising two beautiful children, and mainly alone. I have experienced great loss during my journey. I have endured being thrown under the bus by what was supposed to have been my best friends, and have endured some slander from haters. This is expected anytime we succeed. It is important to know that it will happen. Move on anyway. This is something all aspiring artists need to know: you may experience loss. It won’t be easy. It will be worth it. If I can reach my music dream, in spite of many obstacles, anyone can. You can!

Lessons I have learned along the way have been most valuable. I have learned to walk in my gift and stay in my own lane. Comparison is a thief. I focus on what God has appointed and called me to do and I do not look to the right or left. I stay focused on my mission to make great music and help others do the same. Making music brings me joy! I do it for the joy. I am fortunate to make a living at it.

I want the world to know that dreams are possible. It takes strategy. It takes building a great team and hard work. It takes endurance, determination, grit and getting back up after you have been knocked down. More than anything, it takes being teachable. I do not want to ever get to the place where I stop learning. I want the world to be educated in their field. I am available to help anyone who wants to pursue a dream in music or film. I love helping people. I am available for music career consulting. See my website!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting me, I would certainly take them to Nashville, Tennessee. There is no place like Nashville. There is a reason it is called, “Music City.” I was in a store with my daughter, Averi, this past summer. While we were shopping, a song began playing over the sound system. Everyone in the store knew the song. We all started out humming the song, and before the song was finished, we were all singing in harmony and formed an impromptu choir right there, while looking at jewelry! And this is the magic of visiting Nashville! Nashville has great music venues and food. From Hot Chicken to pancakes and biscuits, to Italian, Nashville has everything. And it’s not uncommon to eat out and find yourself sitting across the isle from a country music start or actress. I sat across from Naomi Judd during lunch! Another place I would take them to visit is Johnny Cash’s Farm. A tour will lead you to his museum and even inside his house. An amazing place of nostalgia! There are many music museums and things to see. Go to Broadway at night! I love Nashville.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to recognize a few people who have helped me along my journey. The first shout out, goes to my fiancé, Jeff Yarbrough, with Yarbrough Media and Productions. Jeff is a film director, who has encouraged me gifts. I am excited to marry him on November 18th, and begin our career in film together. We make a powerful team! And we are triple threat deal, as Jeff is a cinematographer and I am a film music composer. We both are singers, as well, so we can record and sing movie theme songs. One other service we provide is working with authors to help bring their stories to the screen. And we work with songwriters for music videos and short films.

The second person I would like to recognize is my recording engineer, Daniel Dennis, with Prime Cut Studio, in Nashville, TN. Daniel and I work like one brain in the studio, as we work to build tracks. Daniel plays almost every instrument and always produces the highest quality in sound. Plus, the fact that he is a genuinely good person, laid back and easy peezie to work with. I and my artists with The Grove Jesus Music love working with him. (Listen to The Grove Jesus Music on all platforms! I also produce a secular group of artists called, “The Orchard” and an instrumental music group, called, “The Vine.”

The third person I would like to recognize is my wonderful acting coach and friend, Barbara Kerr Condon. Barbara convinced me that was an actress, when I signed up for her acting class by accident! I wanted to politely make my way out of the class, but she, along with actress, “Susan Shearer”, talked me into staying. I now have acting role opportunities because of their joint class. I also have my first song in film, thanks to Barbara asking me to go with her to film festival in Orlando, Florida, where I met a producer, Don Parker, who placed my song, “Build a Bridge” in his film, “PICKlE BALL PRINCESS.
Barbara also assigned me as music composer for her POC, “THREE TIMES A LADY”, which is now nominated for an award with the 168 Film Festival.

My dad Rev. G. David Henderson is someone who encourages me most? He has Alz now. But every day he asked me, “What are you doing TODAY to make your music dream become a reality? Do something each day.”

My faith is very important to me. I would not be doing anything in this industry, if it were not for Jesus. He opened every door. He paved the path and He is the only reason I am where I am in film and music. He had a strategy for my life before I was ever born. My life has not been easy, but it has led me to where I am today, because of His divine guidance and providence.

Last of all, I would like to recognize my son, Michael, and my daughter, Averi. They have been with me through this entire music journey and have been patient with all my travels, and being gone a lot. I am proud of them and their accomplishments, as well. My son gave me a wonderful grand baby, Dahlia, along with my daughter-in-love, Fallon. Averi is making her way in Nashville as a special needs para pro, and she is gaining momentum as a singer/songwriter. Listen to Averi McCall on all platforms!

Along with my children, I think it is important to recognize my music family with The Grove Jesus Music and all the artists I am fortunate to produce in Christian AND secular music. Without them, I would not be doing this. My hat is off to each one of them.

Website: www.sherithrower.net

Instagram: www.instagram.net/sheriproductions

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/sherithrower

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sherithrower

Youtube: www.youtube.com/sherithrower

Other: www.spotify.com/thegrovejesusmusic

Image Credits
Pictured with Film Producer/Actress, Barbara Kerr Condon at the Orlando Christian Music and Film Festival. Pictured at “To the Nations Concert” Nyack, New York, with Richard Smith and Friends and The Grove Jesus Music Artists Pictured with longtime student, Nicholas Hickman, with The Grove Jesus Music and Engineer, Daniel Dennis/Prime. Cut Studio, Nashville, TN My podcast “Grove Moments” Me hat Students Performing: Pictured: Edy French, Blue Ridge Idol Winner, Logan Sanders Band/client recording artist/Averi McCall, daughter, recording artist. Me and Fiance’ Jeff Yarbrough with Yarbrough Media Productions