We’re looking forward to introducing you to Erin Detherage. Check out our conversation below.
Erin, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up at 4:20 AM. I come downstairs and feed the furry loves of my life (4 cats and 1 dog), make a cup of hot green tea, then practice guitar for 1-1.5 hours (I love this time because it’s the only time in my day I have 0 distractions and can really focus on the music.) Then I head to the gym for a workout for about 60-75 minutes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Erin Detherage, known as “Dr. Shred”—a multi-talented guitarist and entertainer whose style fuses blues, rock, funk, pop, and modern club energy. My brand is built on passion, heart, and soul, and people have described me as a force to be reckoned with on stage. Whether I’m dropping a Tom Morello-inspired solo over a club beat or sneaking a bluesy lick into a pop anthem, I thrive on blending styles in unexpected ways.
Once, in a viral video, someone called me “Jojo Siwa in 10 years.” I’ve embraced both the good and bad of social media, and I use those platforms to show off my love for adding shredding guitar solos where they don’t exist in songs—or where you’d least expect them. I’m not afraid to have fun, laugh at myself, and hopefully entertain anyone watching.
I’m passionate about representing diversity in music and creating performances that are as visually engaging as they are sonically unforgettable. Right now, I’m focused on releasing innovative solo music, collaborating with other artists, finding an artist or band to tour with, growing my live shows, and connecting with audiences through a mix of skill, authenticity, and fun experiences.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe that music transcends words. As I often say, it doesn’t take well-crafted lyrics to ‘speak’ in a song. It takes heart… and passion… and soul… To me, this means that while life, politics, and society can strain or even sever the bonds between people, music that channels raw emotion has the power to restore connection and understanding. My work embodies this belief, blending the expressive depth of blues with the cathartic energy of rock and the “let loose” party energy of combining guitar riffs with club-style beats.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Going Solo Without Vocals
One of the biggest hurdles in my musical journey has been embracing a solo career as a guitarist who doesn’t sing. Unlike many solo performers who rely on vocals to connect with audiences and carry melodies, I’ve had to redefine what it means to be a solo artist.
In some of my live sets, I perform instrumental versions of well-known songs, using my guitar to play both rhythm and vocal lines — a challenge that requires not only technical mastery but also emotional nuance. This approach makes me different, but it also came with a unique fear: that audiences might not fully connect without lyrics or a traditional front-person presence.
Going solo meant stepping out from the comfort of bands and collaborations, where vocals and shared responsibilities could cover insecurities. It required me to own the spotlight completely and trust that my guitar could speak volumes — and it does.
The fear of not fitting the mold of a “typical” solo artist was real, but I’ve turned it into a strength. My journey is about courage, innovation, and the power of instrumental storytelling. And in the long run, will make me a better, more-rounded musician when those collaborations do come along.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
My stage identity, “Dr. Shred,” is bold and electrifying—but behind that fierce persona, I’m a deeply introspective artist. That comes from my own inner world and my conviction that music is a vessel for emotional truth.
What I project on stage isn’t a mask; it’s an amplified extension of who I really am. The passion and vulnerability I pour through my guitar aren’t separate from me offstage—they’re expressions of the same self. Stepping into a solo career, especially as a guitarist who doesn’t sing, pushed me to fully embrace that duality. I had to trust that my instrument could carry not just melody, but meaning—and that my audience would feel the soul behind every riff.
At the heart of it, “Dr. Shred” is both a performer and a storyteller: someone who uses sound to bridge the gap between public spectacle and private emotion. My brand isn’t built on persona alone, but on emotional authenticity, creative courage, and a deep desire to connect.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope to be remembered as someone who poured my soul into my music—someone unafraid to mix genres, challenge norms, and connect with people through sound. I’ve had a blast making music, and I look to the horizon for great things to come! That reflects the legacy I want to leave behind: one of joy, creativity, and fearless musical exploration.
The music industry comes with its struggles, and success looks different for everyone. To me, everything along this journey has been a success, even as I continue setting new goals to chase.
Along the way, I hope to impact people emotionally-whether they are looking for an energetic dance beat or maybe even some music to put with their sports highlights from my music library, or if I provided them with an experience live on stage, where they were able to just let go for the length of the show, but kept a lasting memory with them…THAT is what I hope to leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshred1.0/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinDetherage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erindetherage3600
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erindetherage
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yi0kMZx32MkGQDYH9OvfQ
