Moscow country singer Shiloh Sharrard spent the year playing gigs in the Latah County area and released a CD last spring. After submitting a video performance online, she was voted the Clearwater River Casino Idol grand prize winner by CRC judges, and now, Sharrard will open for Taylor Hicks on Saturday.
A CRC Idol judge said Sharrard, 21, has a “great voice that connects with viewers. She leaves you wanting more.”
Before her big performance 6:15-7 p.m. Saturday, Sharrard answered questions about the CDC Idol process as well as her music hopes in 2014.
360: How did you feel when you found out you won CDC Idol? Sharrard: When I first found out, it was jitters. Since then, I’ve calmed down and I’m treating it like any gig.
360: Who gave you the idea to apply for CRC Idol? What was the CRC Idol process like? Sharrard: A friend of mine. I don’t know why, she just gets emails from the casino. She got a text about it. She thought, ‘I know Shiloh likes to sing.’ She just forwarded to me. I looked at the website and I thought, ‘Yeah, why not?’ I did a lot of Facebooking because I tried to get those people I know to vote for me. I hate being that annoying person on Facebook that posts everyday, but I sent everybody reminders. It was nice to know how many supporters I have.
360: You’re from Moscow, Idaho, and a Troy High School graduate. What’s the plan now for your music career? Sharrard: Right now I’m a house cleaner and a nanny. I used to work at Bed Bath & Beyond, but with these jobs my bosses really understand that (music) is really my priority. It definitely is my main career goal.
360: When did you first become interested in music? Sharrard: I was about 8 years old and I decided I wanted to sing in the school talent show. My parents were shocked, because I was super, super shy when I was little. After, I didn’t do too much until I was about 10.
360: Since releasing “Going Nowhere” in May 2013, how have sales gone? Sharrard: Tons of people are buying it. We’ve had tons of positive feedback on it. We have it available at Hastings in Moscow. Some of the people that work there, they said ‘We have customers come up, and ask who is that?’ They go buy my CD. I know that when I first put my CD in Hastings, I was their number one seller in country that month. I was second in the whole store for CD sales. That was really exciting, but overall not quite sure how many we’ve sold.
360: How does it feel to be able to open for Taylor Hicks? Sharrard: It feels really great. I haven’t got to open for anybody who is somebody. This is a huge opportunity. I’m really hoping it’ll open up a wider fan base. Maybe somebody important will take notice.
360: Will you get to meet Taylor Hicks or perform with him on stage? Sharrard: I think so. The guy at the casino who’s kind of in charge of it, he said he’ll make sure I get to meet Taylor, and I may get to do an interaction on stage with him.
360: What are your plans for 2014? Sharrard: I have a couple gigs already booked in July. This spring and winter is going to be kind of slow. I’ve just been taking things as they go. Life has been really busy. I try not to slack on the gigs. I’m definitely trying to sell, sell on that CD. Hopefully something good will come out of this Taylor Hicks concert.
Sharrard’s CD “Going Nowhere” can be purchased at the Clearwater River Casino concert. To learn more about Sharrard, visit Inland360.com to read a May article on the country artist at http://bit.ly/1hryIgo.
Treffry can be contacted at (208) 883-4640 or ltreffry@inland360.com. Follow her on Twitter @LindseyTreffry.
-> if you go: WHAT: Shiloh Sharrard performs WHEN: 6:15-7 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Clearwater River Casino event center COST: Free with Taylor Hicks concert ticket purchase. Hicks plays at 8 p.m.
