Sheryl and Tom Share Passion for Music

When you see Sheryl and Tom Fuller perform, it's obvious they enjoy what they do. But spend a few minutes talking with Sheryl about the Sheryl and Tom Duet, and you'll witness an incredible passion for music and entertaining that goes well beyond their set list.

"I think I came out of the womb singing," she said.

Residing in Buffalo Grove, the husband-and-wife team has been performing for some 20 years at community events and venues such as the Buffalo Grove farmers market, local art and car shows, senior centers and benefits/fundraisers.

The band's origin can be traced to their living room couch, where one evening Sheryl was watching a motivational speaker on television. "She was like, 'Close your eyes, imagine yourself successful. What are you doing?'" Fuller said. "And I said to myself, 'I'm picking up the phone and I'm calling my buddy, and we just sold out Ravinia.'"

Soon after that moment, Sheryl and Tom, who had been hosting regular Friday night "jams" in their kitchen with friends, went to an open-mike night at a local cafe. "We went there and we did our thing, and the cafe owner liked us so much, she goes, 'Well, why don't you guys come back and do it Saturday night.' … And the band was born."

And 20 years later, although they aren't selling out Ravinia (at least not yet), the two have carved out a meaningful career as musicians.

"Our mission is to get toes tapping and make people feel good," said Fuller, who describes their music as "roots-rock-pop-blues."

Depending on the venue, they perform simply as a twosome, or as a band under the billing of the Sheryl and Tom Duet and Friends. They cover the music of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers, among many others, and also perform original music.

In fact, the couple recently released their first CD, consisting of 18 original tracks. "It's a labor of love," Fuller said. "It was a long time in the creation of it." The CD was recorded in November 2009 at JoyRide Studio in Chicago under the direction of Brian Leach. It is available online for $9.99 through independent music distributor CD Baby.

The title track is "Just Dance," a song inspired by Fuller's timid cousin, who refused to sing or dance at karaoke or open-mike events. The lyrics include, "Dance like there's no tomorrow. Just dance like nobody sees," she said.

The CD's cover is a cartoon depicting Sheryl, Tom and band members outside a "Jam Daddy Diner" (Sheryl's nickname for Tom is "Jam Daddy"). It is designed by Dustin Evans. "I made it very playful," Fuller said, indicating a desire for people to look and the disc and say, "These are people who don't take themselves too seriously."

A second CD is in the planning stage. "We have started writing new material," she said. "We're talking about going back into the studio, maybe next year."

Fuller eagerly credits their various band members for their contributions on the CD and at live performances, citing Ben E. Miller, T.F. Holler and Robert Horn.

In addition to performing at the Buffalo Grove farmers market on Aug. 29, Sheryl and Tom played at the Lakeshore Weekend on Aug. 6-8 in Manitowoc, Wis. That fundraising event benefited the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. And on Sept. 12, the band performed at the Wilmette Arts Guild Festival.

On Sept. 25, Sheryl and Tom will perform in Palatine at the Midtown 5K Run & Walk, which benefits the Chicago Bears' Bears Care program. Then next month, they'll be back at the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market on Oct. 17.

Their music can also be heard regularly on My Kenosha Night Out, a Kenosha, Wis.-based Internet radio station.

For more information about the band, visit sherylandtom.com.