A behind-the-scenes look at a quintessential everything artist’s journey with Hickory Arts—from penning to publishing, from promoting to performing, from inspiration to accomplishment. Sydney Shepherd March 4, 2012 Hey Jeff! Hope you are doing well. I’m really impressed with all you are doing with music and art on the Hickory scene (smile emoticon). I am planning on being in Hickory during the month of June this summer and I’d like to talk to you about playing that show you mentioned and possibly recording an EP of my songs with your studio. I’m not sure what your studio setup is/how your studio rates work, but I’d love to meet with you and talk about it. I’ll be in Hickory from Tuesday-Saturday for spring break, this week. I’m sure you are insanely busy, but if you have a slice of free time for a quick meeting, I’d love to chat about it (smile emoticon). Best to you and Carol Anne and the kids! -Sydney Jeff Hartman Artistic Director, Hickory Arts May 31, 2012 I never have to look far to find opportunities to brag about Sydney Shepherd. She’s a perfect example of the autonomous, original singer/songwriter. Although she has a healthy fan/support base, nobody has to do anything for her. She’s self-driven and manages her own talent and skill. She acts, she sings, she writes, she’s well-versed on several instruments and never loses herself to the industry or tries to anticipate it. She’s only influenced by her own desire to create art, ideas and communicate it all. That’s what it’s all about. She embodies what Hickory Arts encourages and teaches and we’re extremely proud to be hosting her house concert on June 23rd! Jeff Hartman June 8, 2012 Recording Sydney Shepherd’s album. Sweet. #sydneyshepherd @hickoryarts Jeff Hartman June 9, 2012 Night one of recording Sydney Shepherd’s new album at Hickory Arts went really well. We tracked banjo, dulcimer and acoustic guitar. Yes, she plays all of that and more! Jeff Hartman June 10, 2012 Night Two of recording the incredible Sydney Shepherd’s album with Plastic Moon Records at Hickory Arts. This time Jairo Pereira dropped by. The music was so hot, he took his shirt off! Sydney Shepherd Everything Artist June 10, 2012 Tracking cello with Jeff Hartman for the Gypsy Life EP! — with Jeff Hartman at Hickory Arts. Hickory Arts June 10, 2012 Tracking cello with Sydney Shepherd at Hickory Arts for her upcoming album, followed by her house concert on June 23! Hickory Arts June 21, 2012 A great big thank you to Hickory Arts’ sponsor for Saturday’s concert, The Mesh! Check out “I’m With the Band”—a podcast they offer highlighting area bands and musicians. Sydney Shepherd is recording an episode today! Jeff Hartman June 21, 2012 Thank you, Hickory! The Sydney Shepherd Hickory Arts House Concert has sold out! Hickory Arts June 25, 2012 Special thanks to Sydney Shepherd, The Mesh: I’m With the Band for both sponsoring and interviewing Sydney, the volunteers and all the guests who came out and supported the latest sold-out house concert at Hickory Arts! Wonderful evening! Jeff Hartman July 6, 2012 Putting the final touches on Sydney Shepherd’s “Gypsy Life” album. Engineered by Plastic Moon Records at Hickory Arts Studio in just a few weeks, thanks to Sydney’s brilliance, preparedness and drive. Jeff Hartman July 10, 2012 Sydney Shepherd’s “Gypsy Life,” recorded at Hickory Arts by Plastic Moon Records, is being mastered by the master, Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering in Charlotte. Doesn’t get any better than Dave. Jeff Hartman July 19, 2012 Sydney Shepherd’s album sounds phenomenal. Engineered, mixed and mastered here in less than a month. @hickoryarts #unnashville Sydney Shepherd July 23, 2012 Officially available for download on CD Baby! Thank you for all of your help! Hickory Arts July 25, 2012 Sydney Shepherd’s “Gypsy Life” is now available on iTunes. Engineered and mixed by Jeff Hartman & Plastic Moon Records at Hickory Arts and mastered by Dave Harris & Studio B Mastering. Sydney Shepherd July 25, 2012 My New “Gypsy Life” EP! Hello everyone, This is just a note to notify everyone that, after a long labor of love, the “Gypsy Life” EP is finally complete! It’s now available for download on iTunes and CD Baby and will soon be available on virtually every main music download site. I also wanted to shout out and and give a big thank you to the countless people who have supported me and made this possible. Whether directly or indirectly, everyone tagged in this note (and so many more people that I wish facebook would allow me to tag!) have helped to drive, support, inspire and shape this album in one way or another. I’m so grateful for the support group you all have given me and I’m so excited to take this next step in my little music career! I know economic times are super tight, but if you can find it in your wallets to download my EP, it would really mean so, so much—or, if it’s not possible for you right now, you can totally help by just spreading the word to your friends! Much love and light to everyone. Journey on, Sydney P.S. – I wanted to tag so many more people, but facebook will only let me go so far. Needless to say, I wish I could tag everyone in Studio IV. You guys are incredible and inspire me more than you know. Plastic Moon July 26, 2012 Sydney Shepherd’s “Gypsy Life” is now available on iTunes! Engineered and mixed by Jeff Hartman and Plastic Moon Records at Hickory Arts in Hickory and mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering in Charlotte. @hickoryarts #unnashville more Sydney Shepherd July 27, 2012 Just bought your “Better Live” album. SO GOOD! Sydney Shepherd July 27, 2012 As many of you know, Jeff Hartman, of Hickory Arts and Plastic Moon, recorded my recent EP “Gypsy Life.” He’s also an insanely talented singer, musician, performer and songwriter. Check out his work! Sydney Shepherd August 20, 2012 I can’t begin to describe the amazing adventure that has been this summer. From having my first music gig in Brooklyn, to recording my very first EP with Hickory Arts, to visiting the land of Virginia Beach with John Bowhers, to actually being able to spend some time at home with Michelle Shepherd, to playing in dear friends’ McKenzie Wall McCart and Rebecca Lowry Warchut’s weddings, to helping create Peppercorn Children’s Theatre’s first rock musical, to reveling in nature and art with fellow elves Alec Shaw and Timothy Thompson at SPACE on Ryder Farm, to the Signature Theatre with Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Inc.’s wonderful “Dorian Gray” production, each day has been beautiful and chock-full of new and exciting experiences. I cannot imagine a better pre-senior year summer. So much love to friends, old and new, near and far, that have made this summer spectacular. One more show of Dorian today, then back to the land of the pines and UNCSA tomorrow for the best year ever. GYPSY LIFE “Gypsy Life” is a compilation of sensations, wishes, and stories… a love letter to dreaming and journeying. Sydney Shepherd is an actress, singer, writer and musician currently attending the University of North Carolina School of the Arts BFA Drama Program. Her instruments include cello, banjo, guitar, dulcimer, dulcijo, celtic harp and piano. “Gypsy Life’ is her first EP. Thank you for listening! Available on iTunes at itunes.apple.com/us/album/gypsy-life-ep/id547395734