The many faces of Brandon Shepherd

ASHEBORO — He’s Elvis. He’s Michael Jackson, He’s Elton John. He’s Roy Orbison. He’s even the Beatles.

But most of all, he’s Brandon Shepherd, variety entertainer.

He’ll put his talents on display this Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Sunset Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the fun begins at 7.

Brandon, a 23-year-old mostly self-taught musician, will make his fourth appearance at the Sunset, singing, dancing, and playing guitar and piano in a one-man show. This edition will be what he calls “It’s Been Done Before,” but will introduce new songs his fans have yet to hear from him.

“There will be some surprises, a few really good,” Brandon said in a recent interview.

He has a YouTube site called "Mr. Brandon Shepherd." Asked where the “Mr.” came from, he said “Brandon Shepherd” was already taken so he just added the title to claim his own YouTube location.

Brandon said he wasn’t really into music until Michael Jackson died in 2009. At that time, when he was just 8 years old, he saw videos of Jackson singing and dancing.

“I saw him moonwalk and had to do it,” Brandon said. “I started watching him and doing his dance moves.”

A year later, Brandon was “discovered.” He was cast in the lead role of “Pirates the Musical” performed at Neighbors Grove School. 

“A teacher at Neighbors Grove saw talent in him,” said Shepherd’s mother, Sherry Shepherd. The teacher was Sue Griffith, who chose to put Brandon in the starring role. Later, he was part of a show at the Sunset Theatre.

That experience awoke possibilities in Brandon, according to his mother. “He told me one day, ‘I’m going to be on this stage by myself.’ He started taking interest in all kinds of music and dancing.”

Brandon has done tributes to Elvis and Michael Jackson and has covered songs by the Beatles, Elton John and Roy Orbison, to name a few. And he produces his own shows, visualizing them in his mind.

Sherry Shepherd said she took piano lessons when she was young and tried to teach Brandon. But soon he had gone beyond her teaching. 

“I loved the Muppets and heard them do ‘The Bohemian Rhapsody,’ ” Brandon said. “I learned to play it in two weeks. I watched people’s hands (playing the piano).”

“He adds layers and makes it sound like a band,” his mother added. 

“I’ve learned to play the drum part and bass on the piano,” Brandon said. “I had voice lessons so I could be able to sing about anything. Tim Moon taught me some on the guitar.”

Brandon took his talent to birthday parties and assisted living facilities, mostly Elvis at the beginning. In fact, he entered an Elvis competition in 2021 but didn’t place. He admits he “spiced it up some when I shouldn’t have.” He said he heard “Suspicious Minds” 17 times that day.

He realized that being an Elvis tribute artist was out of the question since costumes and wigs could run into the thousands of dollars. That helped settle what he should do as an artist.

“My real goal is to be my own artist, to be Brandon,” he said.

Last year, Brandon won the Randolph’s Got Talent competition singing “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” Because of that, he’s been invited back this year to entertain.

Brandon said he’s played other venues but considers the Sunset Theatre “my home stage.”

While he has become an accomplished performer, Brandon admits to being nervous before going on stage. But he soon “flows into it,” said Sherry Shepherd.

“I love performing in front of a crowd,” Brandon said. “It’s amazing, like I’m in my zone, my element.”

In preparing for a show, Brandon says he can “see in my head how the lights work, the colors, how songs close, just make fun for the audience. I see the show in my mind, how the songs run into each other. I direct my own shows and even change clothes.”

Meanwhile, Sherry is backstage helping. She calls herself his manager and promoter since he feels uncomfortable pushing himself on others.

In 2022, Brandon had health problems that prevented him from performing. He lost 60 pounds, but that brought him down to where he wants to be. With his sicknesses over, he did more shows in 2023.

Sherry marvels at her son’s abilities. “What’s amazing is he’ll hear a song and learn it within 15 minutes. On the piano, he will put layers on the song and make it sound like a band. Every single day he’s doing his music.”

“I’m practicing, getting the timing down,” Brandon explained.

Asked where he’d like to be in 10 years, he said, “Probably touring, pretty well-known to do some cool stuff. I’d like to be a star some day.”

“He sets his goals high and he always reaches them,” Sherry said. “He works really hard.”

“I need a lot of followers on social media,” Brandon said.

He’s likely to gain more fans Saturday at the Sunset Theatre when they see his talents. He said he’ll have “a lot of songs people haven’t heard me sing before. There will be country, blues, rock, soul, for young and old people. There will be something for everybody.”

Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door or can be purchased at Jed’s Barbecue & Seafood, 1213 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro.