Artist name: Sheryl Clapton

Music style: Christian Folk Rock/Country Rock

Famous Similar Artist(s):

Artist Description: Sheryl performs original folk rock music for peace, the love of God and mankind. Sheryl sings while playing the 12string guitar.

Musical influences: so very many!!!

Artist History: Past performances listed on web site.

Members: Sheryl Clapton-Pitts

Press reviews: Guitar strings tie past to present This story was published 03/04/2004. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guitar strings tie past to present Sheryl Clapton makes memories with her acoustic “root” music Singer, songwriter, musician and producer Sheryl Clapton calls music a tool. “It is such an important door for memory, for peace of mind and relaxation,” she says, and Clapton would know the true value of memory. Clapton suffered a brutal attack in 1997 that robbed her of her memories; music is a door to her past. Unconscious for two days, Clapton woke with amnesia. She lost all memory of her family, friends and life events and couldn’t even multiply small numbers. It took government records and FBI help to piece together what used to be Clapton’s life. “The only thing I remembered was to play music,” she says. So she did and still does. Her philosophy of music acting as a door for memory and peace permeates what she calls the “root” music that she and her 12-string bring to Columbia. Clapton describes her eclectic sound as “country, folk, rock — it depends on what you surround it with.” Sometimes Clapton’s music is just her with an acoustic, but her four albums feature steel guitar and mandolin accompaniment. Just like her fans in 50 countries, Columbians soak up her velvety voice and simple idealism like a sponge. You won’t see her slightly graying hair and gentle hazel eyes on any fancy album cover photo, though. Clapton distributes her music free online at her Web site, www.sherylclapton.net. Clapton says all music, including Navajo rap and her favorite, classic rock, captures a statement that is important to hear. After five years in New Mexico, Clapton moved her message of family, peace and respect to Columbia last summer with hopes of working more closely with youth. She wants to include kids in the oneness of spirit and understanding she believes music creates. Although the federal Special Projects of Regional and National Significance grant she was awarded to build a youth recording studio fell through, she still wants to expand her limited Columbia studio into one fully equipped for youth recording. Clapton works at The Intersection, Columbia’s youth and parent after-school center and promotes music as an integral part of growing and learning. She stresses that when children make music it “opens a door of creativity that is vital for them to understand that they have an accomplishment that no one can truly take away.” Besides infecting amateurs with her contagious enthusiasm, Clapton also helped bring back music to those who had lost it. She fondly recalls Music to Remember, an outreach program for Alzheimer’s patients in Albuquerque, N.M. Despite initially short attention spans, Clapton says after a few weekly visits the patients began to recognize her. Clapton says that when she performs and people are smiling, they can’t be upset, and her goal is therefore achieved. Her future then, means making more smiles in Columbia venues, such as Bambino’s, and in the Southwestern United States, where she will tour later this spring. Clapton, a producer and announcer at KOPN/89.5 FM two days a week, will be busy in a new town with her new husband, Carlos, creating music and inspiring children — and making fresh memories. — LYNSY SMITHsON-STANLEY __________________________________________________ Copyright ©2002 Columbia Missourian --— LYNSY SMITHsON-STANLEY Copyright ©2002 Columbia Missourian --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Instruments: guitar/vocals/keyboards

Album Names: "Spirit of Music", "Music From Our Shores", "Year of Rain", "Hand of Love", "After the Rain"

Artist's CD Sales Webpage: http://Museeks.com

Web site & Contact Info: http://www.MuSeeks.com