Live Musician: Norris Shepherd
When you log into Second Life next, be sure to check the date -- is it the 13th of June already? Time to wish Norris Shepherd a happy Rez-Day!
Shepherd has only been in Second Life for one fun-filled year, and has spent even less time than that as a Second Life musician. He got his start in the Second Life music scene a couple of months in, watching the likes of Capos Calderwood, Skinny Shepherd and TallGuy Kidd, then venturing to a variety of open mics; he went from being awed to being awesome in Second Life in essentially a single gig, for which he rented the gear. Some 130 shows later, he's still out there, wowing the crowds and buying new gear.
Forget the material. Ignore Shepherd's mix of Cat Stevens, Weezer and more Weezer, Radiohead, The Ramones, and Simon and Garfunkle if you can (also, in the future, look out for more Shepherd originals). Ignore Shepherd's protestations that he can't hit all the notes. Let yourself be swept away by Shepherd's raw, rich, powerful voice, made potent with emotion (and home-made wine). Let words fail him, but the voice remains steadfast as his draw-card.
Taking a backseat to his innate vocal talent, and vocal skill, is his ability to talk. The man just loves to talk! Not so much as to encroach on valuable listening time, but certainly enough to fill the spaces in-between with entertainingly delicious maundering, anecdotal tales and updated hockey scores. Let us not forget, either, his unwavering fingers, drawing forth sound from his acoustic Yamaha in an almost constant stream.
To experience Shepherd's musical onslaught, watch for messages from The Norris Shepherd Fan Club or Live Music Enthusiasts. We caught up with him at Glass Earth, 6pm on Monday, but that fixture may change soon; it's best to join the groups for updated news.
So a Canadian farmboy makes good in Second Life -- anyone know when he'll have made enough L$ to buy socks? Shepherd wears no socks in Second Life, and mentions in his profile that he's trying to raise money for socks (among other things).
