The Salisbury Post is bringing back People to Watch with a 2025 version of the series that looks at locals with a bright year ahead. 

Today’s issue features Colton Sherrill, a homegrown musician who loves to share his craft with audiences and students alike. 

The 28-year-old, who is originally from Mount Ulla, has been playing guitar for about 15 years.

He attributes his nascent interest in the craft to The Beatles Rock Band, a video game that allows the user to play simulations of hit songs on guitar, drums and vocals. 

“I have always been a big Beatles fan,” Sherrill told the Post. “That game came out in 2009, and I thought, heck, I would rather play my own songs.”

So Sherrill did what any earnest millennial would do. He turned to YouTube. Sherrill taught himself how to play through tutorial videos, starting with basic lessons and working his way up. Sherrill credits internet personality Marty Schwartz for helping him to hone his craft but he acknowledges his uncles’ tutelage, too.

Nowadays, it’s Sherrill doing the teaching though. Between gigs, Sherrill teaches guitar lessons at Nebulux Music School on 5th Street in Spencer, a role that he has held since last year. He’s there about four days a week and also offers recording and ukelele instruction.

“My bass player in my band was working there and he moved to Cornelius,” Sherrill said. “They needed another guitar instructor. I figured since I was doing gigs at night I could do it in the afternoon.”

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington communications studies graduate said that it has been rewarding to realize his goal of making music a full-time thing. Between guitar lessons and playing, Sherrill said he’s regularly clocking full workweeks. 

That dream did not come overnight though, and Sherrill has figured out that a lot of making music happens off stage and outside the studio. 

“I have learned that being a musician, in the realistic sense, you are not going through a record label,” Sherrill said. “You are your own PR guy, merch guy and manager. You are doing it DIY style.”

Sherrill is hardly a one-man band. He provides lead vocals and guitar, but he’s got Jeremy Macha on the bass and Lou Bodak on drums. 

“I was looking to start a band because I was getting tired of just playing acoustic solo,” Sherrill said “Lou was in a few bands around Salisbury. I reached out to him on Facebook. He said he was down to start playing together.”

Sherrill said they played their first gig together at Shug’s at Brooklyn South Square in February 2023. 

“Now we play about once or twice a month at New Sarum and Shug’s,” Sherrill said. 

His radius and repertoire continues to expand with shows in such places as Concord and Hickory. 

On Saturday, the band will be playing at Buzzed Viking Brewery in Concord (1048 Copperfield Blvd NE #101) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. 

The band’s back at New Sarum in downtown Salisbury on Jan. 25, from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

“Playing two or three hours is pretty taxing,” Sherrill said. “We do have a couple of breaks thrown in there … but it takes its toll on the voice.”

That burden is offset by the joy that his craft gives him. He said he loves bringing happiness to audiences and making new fans. 

“If I go to a place where no one has heard me and they are giving me the eye wondering if I am going to be awful or great,” Sherrill said. “Then, they respond after a song or two.”

Not every song has been at bars. Sherrill has performed at weddings, funerals and cocktail parties, so he knows how to work various crowds. 

No matter the crowd, Sherrill brings his passion to play. 

Turning his attention to 2025, Sherrill said that he plans to channel that passion and prioritize his songwriting. 

“I know people like the cover songs because they know them but with the school I am in having a recording studio, I hope to start churning some stuff out, focusing on original music and developing that craft,” Sherrill said.

Seems like the sky’s the limit for the young musician. 

“I told myself if I did not make it by 30, I would go get my master’s,” Sherrill said. 

With a bright musician future ahead of him, graduate school is just going to have to wait. 

1. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one record/album to listen to, what would it be and why?

I would choose to listen to the White Album by the Beatles because they were at the height of their creativity when recording this album. Not to mention the multiple genres found on the album including ’50s rock ‘n roll, blues, country, avant garde and folk music. 

2. If they made a movie about your life, who should the producers cast to play you?

Adam Devine 

3. What is your motto/mantra/favorite saying?

 “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” — Jimi Hendrix

4. Do you have a personal goal set for 2025?

My personal goal for 2025 is to continue developing as a songwriter and performer. 

5. Who is someone that you will be watching in 2025?

Someone I’ll be watching in 2025 is Paul McCartney, in hopes that he schedules another U.S. tour.

Keep following the Salisbury Post for more People to Watch in 2025.