She Magazine APRIL 2016 | Page 88

Story by Ashley Elvington The Art & Soul of Music feature sharon & johnny Tanner “I CAN’T IMAGINE A LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC,” SAYS SHARON TANNER, who grew up in a musical household. Her parents listened to a wide variety of music, from Broadway soundtracks to classical. When Sharon entered the third grade, she began to take piano lessons. She also picked up the clarinet. As time passed, Sharon’s passion for music deepened as she joined the school band, sang in the church choir, and majored in music at Furman University. “My best friends growing up were all involved in church choir and piano. We didn’t have all the opportunities for other things like lots of different sports, and, of course, we didn’t have all the devices kids have today, so music and church [were] what we did.” Like her parents, she developed a love for different genres. “I’ve always loved choral music and show tunes, but I came to love bluegrass and Americana music when I went to college.” Over the years, Sharon has worked with the Florence Little Theatre and Encore Theatre, both as an actress and chorus member. In college, she was a part of the Furman Singers. “That was probably the most formative event in my life. I learned so much being a member of that fine group… and not just musical knowledge, but cooperation, work ethic, a passion for excellence. I wouldn’t trade those four 88 APRIL 2016 years for anything. I’ve had a few non-music jobs throughout the years, and I really enjoyed them, but music has always been my first love.” Today, she sings at weddings, church, funerals, and with her bluegrass gospel band, Borrowed Time. Her husband, Johnny, is also from a musical family. “We always had music in our home. We had an old piano and would sing church songs around it… My family is very musical.” When he was a teenager, Johnny’s parents bought him his first guitar. He played a little while in school for programs, but Johnny’s main focus was songwriting, inspired by the likes of Guy Clark. While he’s no longer writing about his first crush in high school, Johnny is known for being quite a talented songwriter. “My songwriting ‘hurrah’ is being the 2011 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest winner at MerleFest. Secondly, it is being invited to take some of my songs to play on the radio in Ireland on a show hosted by a famous Irish songwriter, Charlie McGettigan.” Today, his inspirations are his mother, trains, tractors - all of which he refers to as “life stuff” – and, of course, his wife, Sharon. Johnny jokes, “I save a lot of money because she has inspired me to write Valentine songs and anniversary songs for her!” SHEMAGAZINE.COM