I have always wanted to be an entertainer. I grew up in McMinnville, Oregon, a small city one hour from Portland in one direction and the Pacific Ocean in another. My father was a career educator and my mother a bank employee and housewife. I have two brothers, Terry and Larry and a sister, Jan.

My grandparents were musical, and the instruments they played grabbed my interest at an early age. My first captured audience was my family who were given no choice but to watch me dance and sing from the time I could walk.
I have been performing for much of my life in music, theatre, and sports. I am a trained stage actor and have been in collegiate and community theatre productions and low-budget films. I was also on America’s Funniest People on ABC. My friends know of my antics.

Mr. Saunders, my junior high choir teacher helped fuel my musical interests in harmony and vocal jazz. By 16, I was in my first rock band, The Elastic Waste Band.

I have performed in many rock bands throughout the years, with names such as Antidote, The Canoes, Sabotage, The Tag, Chad, Burning Issue, Masterwork, Love on Ice, Undercurrent, Brazen Monkey, Camp Sherwood, and I-90.

I have many musical friends who have helped teach me how to play and write music. To these former band mates and friends I must say thanks!

I love how music can evoke emotion and bring strength and power to our existence. I have been writing music for the last twenty years and feel that The Unseen Hand is my best work thus far.

I am currently employed as a public school music teacher and hold BS degrees in Music and Theatre and a Masters degree in Music Education. Over the years I have studied rock, jazz, and classical music.

I enjoy seeing children filled with the beauty, joy, amazement, and at times the frustration of learning music.

After college, I traveled with a choir to Italy and sang during Mass in Latin at The Vatican. We also performed in many ancient cathedrals such as St. Mark’s in Venice, Italy. I love to perform on stage.

My musical influences range from Motown and “oldies” pop music to classic and some current rock. Currently, my favorite artists include: The Beatles, Tom Petty, Collective Soul, Pete Yorn, Beethoven, Keith Green, Rich Mullins, U2, Jars of Clay, Tait, and Switchfoot.

I like to incorporate various music styles in my writing. I have many talented people to thank for helping me make this CD come to life! The inspirations, lyrics, and dreams, however, are definitely inspired through my faith in God.
My wife, Shari and my children Sophie and Trevor have been supportive and make my life blessed. Our friends and families are incredible and wonderful ingredients of our lives as well.

Playing music about God and for God is challenging, exciting, limitless, fulfilling, enlightening, interesting, fun, and humbling.

I believe that the world needs more bands and musicians using positive images in their lyrics and bringing good influences to our youth.

There are many terrible things that happen in this world that I do not understand but I do know there is a God who loves us and wants us to follow Him.
The music for The Unseen Hand started with my acoustic guitar and melodies in my head.

~ Jon Sherwood, 2007

Writing music about God & spirituality has been rewarding on many levels. I hope you hear something on my CD that enlightens you.

~ Jon Sherwood
The Unseen Hand