Sometimes it takes the rough hand of fate to send a man chasing his true calling in life. As a kid, Derek Sholl dreamed of making it to the big leagues, to feel the incredible power of a ball park cheering for his team, and to knock one into the cheap seats with the game on the line. A common dream, but uncommonly, it came true. Out of high school, this charismatic Southern Californian signed with the Kansas City Royals.
On his fist day as a pro, a wild pitch broke one of his knuckles. While on the injured list, he entertained his teammates by singing the country songs they loved to hear. He soon adopted the passion of the music he imitated, and could be found strumming a guitar in the dugout, doing his best impressions of Alan Jackson and Randy Travis.
“I would just mess around and sing to them at practice…They laughed, but would say, ‘Man, you’re really good! Either get off the disabled list or get yourself to Nashville!” Sholl recalls.
Every time Derek came off the injured list, his pro baseball career would suffer another freakish blow. A fast ball broke his arm just after his first return to the outfield. Finally, a torn Achilles tendon ended his dreams of MLB greatness for good. Little did Derek Sholl know that when he parted ways with the Royals, his true opportunity in the big leagues would come from the talents he had honed off the baseball diamond.
The poignant lyrics and great life stories that form the lifeblood of country music spoke to Derek in a way unlike any music he’d experienced growing up. He hung up his cleats, picked up his guitar and made his mind up to conquer a new mountain: the country music scene.
He formed a band, and his smooth baritone voice captivated packed venues all over the South until a handshake deal turned into a three year run opening for Jay Leno’s live show at the Mirage in Las Vegas.
“He plays every gig like it’s the Grand Ole Opry and I think that is the key” Jay Leno
Derek recalls, “Playing for Jay at The Mirage in Las Vegas was a privilege for all of us! People would visit his show from all over the world and even though we had built a fan base at the casinos, we had a different kind of crowd every night with Jay. It taught me how to work a big stage.”
When under the lights, Derek’s engaging smile and obvious passion turned accidental attendees into devoted fans. His shows combine boot stomping fun with honest lyrics in such a way that audiences readily identify with Derek’s music.
Fresh from his run in Vegas, Derek set his sights on the Lone Star State. In 2006, he recorded his debut album DON’T THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME and released his first radio song, “Pray For Me” to the Texas music scene.
DON’T THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME won over critics and fans alike. Countrychart.com wrote, “Sholl's album shows that he is a gifted songwriter with a huge drive, a skill for marketing and, most importantly, an amazing new country voice that is definitely just warming up. So move over Randy and Alan, the name of the next batter is Derek Sholl.”
In 2008, Robert K. Oermann gave his DISCovery Award in Music Row magazine to Sholl for “Here,” an honor given to country music’s most noteworthy up-and-coming artists. “Here” broke onto Music Row’s chart’s top 100 after just two weeks at radio and went 1 on the Country Music Airplay Charts in Germany.
Today Derek eagerly anticipates the September 15th release of his new album which debuts “When They Come Back,” a powerful and evocative tribute to America’s returning combat veterans. Co-written with legendary songwriter Tim Johnson, “When They Come Back” will surely speak to a generation’s struggle to readjust to life here at home after facing death and trauma overseas.
"When They Come Back," is a great tribute to our uniformed men and women. Being an Iraq Vet this song was like a bittersweet time machine. One second I was eagerly listening for the next line in the lyrics, and the next second I found myself flooded with memories of the war and the brothers we lost. There hasn't been a more moving song to send chills down my spine since Tim McGraw's "If You're Reading This" or John Michael Montgomery's "Letters From Home." Instantly I loved the song. Derek you are a true patriot. Thank you.
Semper Fi,
Cory Hixson
(Sgt. USMC, 2001-2005)
As the new album’s release approaches, Derek notes, “There are so many exciting things happening right now for us. The album is being released and I have just completed my first music video. I can’t wait to get on stage for the fans and perform the new material.”
Derek Sholl has always dreamed big. Though fate threw him a curve ball and forced him away from the bright lights of major league ball, his drive and talent earned him a spotlight on a new stage and the realization of a second dream come true.
Mr. Sholl, I saw you perform on Fox and Friends October 2nd. Your song, When They Come Home is absolutely fantastic. Patroitic songs we need more. Please keep them coming. I don't want to see these young men and women, cast aside like the VietNam Vets were. God Bless Our Armed Forces. Thank You.
Hey Derek! Saw you on CBS this morning and I LOVED the song! Hope to see ya on the square this weekend. Please sing that one. That explained so much of how I feel about my husband. Isn't it wonderful to find that type of love??? Keep up the great work!
Today I like to inform you, that you can read and watch interviews with your favorit country stars in Enlgish, German and French at http://www.CountryHome.de/Interviews .
Warm regards
Christian
Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 171 6903352 Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Info@CountryMusic-Magazin.de www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
WOW what a fantastic show @ the Willamette Country Music Festival. I can say I truly feel bad for anyone who has'nt seen a live show. You are GREAT on stage sound great too. The "entire" band is awesome. It was a pleasure meeting you in person. I taped it will be on youtube.
Just watched the video for 'When They Come Back' on You Tube, awesome song & video, the photo of the little boy near the end being presented with the flag just got me crying. I know the songs for US soldiers coming home but it felt poignant for me with UK troops and the heavy losses they are having. There does'nt seem to be a day goes by that there are'nt reports of a soldier being killed. Thank you for the song, I hope its getting losts of airplay.
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