Meet Will Shepherd of Atlantic Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Shepherd.

Hi Will, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started playing violin at an early age, and by age 11, I wanted to play guitar. I have less fingers on my left hand so we had to have a righty guitar “flipped over”so that I could play it. After two guitar teachers taught me the basics, I took the reigns of my development into my own hands and slowly worked at my craft. By age 14, my mom wanted me to play in the contemporary praise band at my church, and they took me in with open arms. That Christmas, I received a brand new Taylor 110e that I still play to this day. I played in a band in early high school and had a great time, we played in the San Marco Square for an event which really inspired my inner performer/entertainer to continue playing. When I turned 16 I needed a way to pay for gas so I started to do research into how I could play for money, leading me to reach out to a number of different venues around Jacksonville. I began playing smaller venues and private parties throughout high school and began to build a quality reputation at the Jax Beaches via word of mouth. Once I got to college I wanted to branch out, so I reached out to Real Time Management about playing at different bars that they managed. Fast forward to Summer 2022, I played 17 shows in 10 weeks, at venues like Lynch’s Irish Pub, Surfer the Bar, Hoptinger, Lemon Bar, and many more, culminating with the opportunity to place the Terrace Suite for the NFL preseason game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cleveland Browns. I look forward to returning to college and playing shows for my friends, and ultimately pursuing music in Nashville after I receive my degree this year.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Learning how to play guitar with less fingers was definitely a struggle at first, and in the beginning many venues said no to me and my music because I didn’t have a quality resume. I am a college baseball player so music and baseball have always been a balancing act, but one that I have navigated pretty well up to this point. I am very thankful for the opportunities that have been given to me and the ones that I have earned through hard work.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a full-time student-athlete at Dartmouth College. I am most proud of my musical talent to get recruited to play baseball in college. I think many musicians get caught up in the musician lifestyle and fail to work hard at their craft. I was never the best baseball player so I had to work my tail off to put myself in a position to succeed. My work ethic sets me apart from others, not my God-given talent.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love taking in social media for an hour a day to decompress from the day’s events. YouTube is very helpful when learning songs and I use the online platform Udemy to take guitar classes to better my craft

Pricing:

• Events: $100/hour

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Willshepherdmusic
• Facebook: Will Shepherd Music