by Tanner Sharpe

On July 4, 2010, eight-year-old me stands in the choir stand of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church.  As I stand with the choir, which is called for their next song, my Aunt Dee Dee announces that today's musical presentation will be a special guest playing the song.  Master Tanner Sharpe, my name, rang loudly across the sound system.  The choir and the congregation were in complete shock.  
 
After a roar of applause, they led me to the piano.  I walked down from the choir and approached the piano with three other great musicians seated next to me - a bass player, and two keyboard players.  I was intimidated yet supported.
 
The song begins.  We sing “How Great is our God.”  As I played the song, the whole choir is in tears listening to this eight-year-old lead the music like an old pro.  So many emotions flooded my mind.  And before I knew it, the song was over.  Yes, in my mind, I thought it was over. Hugs and tears surround me as I go back to my seat.  My Aunt Jean hugs me so hard that the beads on her dress nearly put my eye out.
 
I told this story because what I thought would be a one-time experience developed into a young man whose whole career is a full-time music director.  This goes to prove correct the scripture “despise not the days of small beginnings.”
 
Anytime I think about Bedford, I always think about church.  Anytime I think about church, I think about me playing, and that’s my life.  That's all I know.  That's my career.  And what I think about when I think about home, love and community is church.
 
Tanner Sharpe is a 21-year-old musician and recording artist from Forest, VA with deep roots in Bedford and Bedford County. Passionate about creating and performing music, Tanner brings a unique blend of local culture and personal experience to the musical artistry of his gospel group, Tanner Sharpe and High Praise.
​