Bryan Cherry’s music career started with the Beatles. Well, sort of. As a longtime fan of the band and a voracious writer, Cherry heard his friend playing "Blackbird" and he knew he had to learn it on guitar.
"I was in my last year of college at Carroll University, but when I heard that song, I told my buddy ‘you should probably show me what you’re doing,'" says Cherry.
Cherry dedicated himself to guitar and went on play many solo shows as well as perform with full bands. Currently he’s in three groups: soul outfit Bryan Cherry Band, Ghost Mirror, a soul pop band, and funk band Mythic Mystics which he describes as his "energy burner."
He will play with Bryan Cherry Band member Sean Williamson on Thursday, June 1 at Tea Time, a weekly music series held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Sabbatic, 700 S. 2nd St. The show is free.
Cherry has released two albums, two EPs and is currently working on a third album. His music is available on iTunes.
His first two albums, "Be Just Fine" (2006) and "Now You Know" (2007), were produced by musician / producer Mike Hoffmann, known for his work with The Verve Pipe and Victor DeLorenzo.
Cherry identifies himself as a writer first and foremost. He contributed to the poetry collection "Return of the Gathering Waters" which comes out today and will travel to New York for the New York City Poetry Festival.
"I write as a form of therapy and it’s helping me out, always has," says Cherry.
Born and raised on Milwaukee’s North Side, Cherry is the oldest of eight children. Today he lives in Bay View with his wife and 1-year-old son, Miles.
"Many songs and poems bubble up about my son. He has changed my life in so many ways," says Cherry. "At one time I was focused on my music and the band and being successful and at this point in my life it’s most important if my son is happy, my wife is happy and if I am able to be creative on a daily basis."
Bryan Cherry Band will also perform at Summerfest on Tuesday, July 4 at 2 p.m. on the Harley-Davidson stage. On Thursday, July 6 Mythic Mystics will be at Fire on Water at 10 p.m.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
