Premiere: Sherman Ewing’s holiday message: Shine

A gift from his late mother.

Sherman Ewing comes from the R.E.M./John Prine school of songwriting, and he graduated with honors. First and foremost a man of compassion, Ewing sprinkles his songs with humor and joy, but never with refined sugar.

From 2006 to 2012 Ewing toured with Widespread Panic’s JoJo Hermann as Missing Cats, going on the road with—among others—the North Mississippi Allstars. Ewing’s upcoming solo CD, Come and Meet Me (February, 2018), shows his breadth as a musician, with songs that range from full-on rock to spare acoustic folk. Excellent production by Anthony Krizan (Spin Doctors, Lenny Kravitz) really makes Ewing’s music shine.

Speaking of which, the bittersweet track, “Shine,” evokes Ewing’s gentle side, and his foundations. He gave Elmore a little history of the song’s inception:

“I was asked by a dear friend to partake in an event at her theater company last holiday season. She thought a little music might be cool and asked if I wanted to play a song in the Spirit of The Holidays.

The Holidays were a magical time for me as a kid—my mom always went to the end of the world and back to make it so. The last time I ever remember seeing her, she gave me what turned out to be one last gift. She had given up painting to raise her kids, and she knew I loved playing music. She told me to follow my heart and live my dreams—the only catch, to do it as best I can. Of all the songs I have written, this song goes out to Joanne Johnson Ewing.”

Joanne would be proud of her son, and the song she inspired.

An animal lover, Ewing has supported the Sato Project, which rescues abandoned and abused dogs from Puerto Rico. For the last five years, Ewing has sponsored Sherman’s Annual Benefit for People and Pets, a fundraiser and coat drive; this December’s event will benefit the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation and New York Cares.