Meet Shelly Rollison of Shelly Rollison in Denver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Rollison.

Shelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For whatever reason, something woke up in a major way inside me when I turned 30. It took another few years for that light to break free, but something was stirring. Something that had always been there, a realization that there is music in my blood. In 2016, I took the leap to see what music could be in my life. It’s been a process to figure out what that leap looks like, but more and more, the things I really want to do and who I truly am are finding their way in the world. It’s never too late, and I’m living into that truth more and more.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anything worthwhile is never easy. I think my hardest obstacle to overcome has often been myself, whether it manifests as self-doubt or fear of failure or even fear of success. We can fear the unknown, and any endeavor linked to our hearts always carries with it risk, because what if we get our hearts broken? But without vulnerability, there can’t be true creativity or true impact. I’m learning to get out of my own way and to stop overthinking and reminding myself to play and lean in and try to work in the flow of this thing I love doing.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a singer-songwriter that tells stories, but not just in my music. Those stories also come out in my banter on stage, conversations at shows, and through social media and a weekly email letter, I write on Sundays. When I first started playing shows, I was self-conscious about talking too much on stage.You often hear people say musicians should talk less and play more, but people would constantly come up to me after shows and say how they loved how I talked about the songs and it made them feel more connected to the music. So, I think I talk quite a bit more on stage than other performers, but that works for who I am and how I write songs and share them. I also tell stories and talk about things I’m learning, noticing, and working through on social media. I think because I love the process so much, not just of creating but of becoming more human and becoming my expression of being human. It can feel vulnerable and risky, but sharing those things is part of who I am and I do my best to not hide that but lean into it.

I’m currently focused on creating space to be and learn better how to let every day and what I’m thinking about and feeling come through in the music I’m writing. It’s led to writing songs that have a new sound to them while still feeling true to myself. It can be hard to be patient and let things germinate and grow, but I’m excited to lean into this process, and I can’t wait to eventually share the new music that is being written from this space.

I’m most proud of my most recent music project, a four song EP titled “Human to Human”, because it was the first time I felt like the music was wholly an extension and expression of myself. I can’t wait to see where this new opened door leads and what gets written next.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Be yourself. Everything else comes from that. Don’t hide. Don’t hold back. Bring all of you to the table.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.shellyrollison.com
• Email: info@shellyrollison.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyrollisonmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellyrollisonmusic
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/shellyrollisonmusic

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