“When my grandfather passed in 2003, the whole band was in my hands. Either I had to go forward with it or drop it and let it go. It wasn’t hard because I was still young, and at that age, I just wanted to play music. I just wanted to be out there and be heard.” ~ Shardé Thomas
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ABOVE: Shardé Thomas is the last remaining link to the drum and fife blues tradition.
respected in the music community. Their music is so real, unscripted and unproduced. It’s raw, and that really resonates with some. You can’t manufacture genuine, and Shardé a good example of the most genuine kind of sound in music and human spirit.” Shardé said she feels like the fife was handed down to her by her grandfather because he knew she would continue the tradition. “When my grandfather passed in 2003, the whole band was in my hands,” she said. “Either I had to go forward with it or drop it and let it go. It wasn’t hard because I was still young, and at that age, I just wanted to play music. I just wanted to be out there and be heard. As I got older, I had to decide whether to hang with my friends or play with the band.” Fortunately, her friends loved it, and they came to the picnics to watch her perform. They were excited that their friend was traveling the country and performing as a professional musician in such places as New Orleans, New York, Chicago and abroad. “I think I was the chosen one because (Turner’s) grandchildren could have picked up the tradition,” she said. 46
| Fall 2014
“His kids could have picked up the tradition. His friends or people who knew him personally could have. “But I think, in his mind, he knew I could take it to that level. He knew when he passed it on, I would keep it going. I don’t know what he saw in me, but I’m glad I was chosen to take over.” It might be because Shardé is determined and innovative. This has served the Senatobia native well in music and school. While attending Independence High School, she was a member of the band and played flute. She graduated in 2008 before enrolling at Delta State. When she isn’t studying, she’s a Rising Star in a band of three drummers and a base player. She plays the fife and sings lead vocals. “If I see something that needs to be done, I’m going to give it 100 percent,” she said. “Me being at a young age, I try to reach all the audiences — young and old — just to keep that music alive. If you get to the point where it’s dying down or people don’t want to hear it anymore, we can spice it up for the next generation, but also keep the traditional part that would keep them wanting to buy our records and coming to our shows. Each step you make is always a challenge, but I always try to leave a good impression with the crowd or hit them with a bang.”
Story LaReeca Rucker Photography Mike Stanton ILLUSTRATIONs Katherine Fields