Check Out Erin Detherage’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Detherage.

Hi Erin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I went to a small high school in Oklahoma, so when they started offering a guitar class, I signed up immediately and picked up a guitar for the first time. I really enjoyed playing, picked up on a few chords, and continued to play throughout high school and into college. There, I changed majors a few times, never truly feeling a sense of direction or being able to answer, “what do you want to be when you grow up”. I ended up working part-time at a music store and it all started connecting! My desire to dive into music was sparked; I was surrounded by instruments and amazing musicians daily in that environment. I felt like I fit in; I belonged there. I transitioned to a full-time role and was promoted into a leadership role, giving me more opportunities to grow, develop, and expand my musical passions. It was around this time that I tried out for the band that would ultimately become my first of many great performance opportunities. Fast forward and not much has changed: while I’m not working at the music store anymore, I’ve been fortunate enough to play in numerous bands, perform with many amazingly talented musicians, write, record & perform some of my own original music, and even once found myself in zebra-print Spandex and a rad 80’s wig. Today, I perform solo, in a duo, full-band and session settings, playing originals and covers from 70’s to today, in rock and pop, and country to alternative. If it’s got a steady beat and an awesome guitar solo (of course!), you’ll find me playing!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Cue that saying about how nothing worth having comes easy; that’s true in the music industry for sure. Like many industries, music is extremely competitive and relies on a lot of intangible elements; right time, right situation. You have to focus on what makes you unique, what sets you apart, and focus on that. You want to ensure you are striving to be top of the line in your musical space. It can be difficult to break into an already established network or group, so having a positive name for yourself, and a professional reputation, go a long way. I have the typical Monday-Friday, 8-5 job, so finding time to practice and maintain that connection with my family & friends is super important and requires effort. My daily routine involves getting up at 4:30am to ensure I have at least an hour of practice before I start work or head to the gym (gotta stay in tour-ready shape, right?). I typically squeeze in some practice time during lunch breaks too. My goal, like any musicians working this path, is to play music full-time so it’s just about staying focused and finding the balance that works for me.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First and foremost: I am a female guitar player! While music isn’t a male-dominated industry, being a female guitar player is on the rarer side and I pride myself on being just a little different than those I share the title with. You don’t get the nickname of “Dr. Shred” for nothing! Detherage seems to be a last name that most don’t click with, but “Dr. Shred” seems to connect and it’s a pretty cool honor to be given. Second: no single genre holds my heart. It’s the funk & soul of Prince in my blood, it’s the ballads & riffs of Motley Crue, it’s the twang & swing of 90’s country bands… my influences range the spectrum of musical dramas so when you come out to see & hear me play, you’re going to hear all those influences, no matter the band I’m performing with. Lastly, what sets me apart and what I’d like readers to know, is that I’m incredibly humbled each day with the experiences and opportunities I’ve had. I’ve played with groups that opened for Hank Williams Jr., Toby Keith, and Justin Moore. I’ve performed at AT&T Stadium 3 years consecutively as part of the Dallas Cowboys Pre-Game music entertainment. I’ve performed as part of the Arkansas Razorbacks Pre-Game music entertainment, and even performed the National Anthem for the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers) Baseball team during the past three seasons.  I love sports almost as much as playing music, so whenever I get affiliated with a sporting event and bring my music as entertainment, it’s a DREAM!

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
There are many elements of the music industry that involve risk; every time you put yourself out there as an artist, this is risk of some sort. For me, it’s taking the risk of driving many hours away for a gig, only to have it get cancelled at the last minute (lesson learned: always get a contract!) or joining a new band or group only to not have it be a good fit or everyone on the same page. These are only a few instances, of course, but I strive to be as prepared as possible for the many scenarios and obstacles that come up and just do what I can to persevere. It’s important to stay on top of your physical and mental health; there is a lot of vulnerability associated with being a musician, as well as rejection, so proper mental health support is imperative. Overall: assess the risk, consider the reward, and follow your intuition – it’ll lead you to some great places sometimes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.erindetherage.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshred1.0
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinDetherage
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erindetherage3600
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/7dmW20fS3xTTPJYHjwbQ1J?si=ca97929ad39148cb

Image Credits
Jana Detherage