Ira David Sherman

Born: April 29th, 1959 in Philadelphia, PA.

Favorite Bass & Guitar players who influenced me:

Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy Bolin, David Joel, Rodger Glover, Ray Brown, Jaco, Michael Manring and Glenn Hughes.

At age eight, started playing piano. Played recitals in Philadelphia area.

At age 12, started playing acoustic guitar. Played in bands all through high school. Playing parties and proms and school dances.

1977, hired as a studio musician to record at the famous Sigma Sound Studio in Philadelphia. Recorded two songs at Sigma for a local artist. Played acoustical rhythm guitar and electric lead guitar on those recordings.

1977, attended Berklee College of Music, studying guitar, ear training, harmony & arrangement. Big band Jazz music.

Played guitar in bands from 1979-1992. In 1991, opened up a concert at The Chestnut Cabaret in Philadelphia for The Marshall Tucker Band.

Took a break from music from 1992-2001. In 2001 decided to take up electric bass guitar. I always loved the low deep sound of the bass so that was a natural instrument for me to play after playing regular guitar for so long.

Joined Mark Gandy in November of 2001. Played with Mark Gandy for the next 3 years in bars and clubs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. While playing with Mark Gandy, I also filled in for a few other bands, Elvis Tribute Band and a top 40 dance/disco/rock band.

In 2005, while playing with Mark Gandy we opened up four shows for The Outlaws at The Big Kahuna in Delaware, The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA., The House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey and The Freebird Cafe in Jacksonville, Florida. This was an excellent experience for the band. Having been a major Outlaws fan since high School this was a special treat for me personally!

Basses and Equipment used: USA Fender Precision basses and G&L basses. Amps, Ampeg for larger venues, and Berringer for small bars and clubs. D’Addario strings (of course!).

It has been a pleasure and a great opportunity for me to play with Mark Gandy and I look forward to playing more great covers and original songs in the future! Mark in my opinion is one of the best country singer/songwriters of the tri-state area. His songs are melodic with great harmonies. Mark allows all of the musicians in the band to express themselves through their instruments. The freedom and flexibility is what makes the music unique and memorable!