Welcome...

My name is Sherry Lawson and I’m a Late Bloomer. This may sound like an introduction to a 12-step program but being a late bloomer is something to be nurtured …not stopped. That is the message of this website and my mission. Our motto is “It’s never too late to travel a new path.”
My story is not so different from millions of others in the world.
I fell in love with the Beatles at age 12. My parents took me to their performance in Kansas City—it was my first concert. But my interest in music started even before the British Invasion. Mom and Dad always had music around us. Happily escaping the farm and a small town, they loved all things modern. They also loved to dance; both were very good at it. So early on I heard Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Frankie Laine, I even got to meet Brenda Lee at an auto show! I loved to sing and in Jr. High School, I was chosen to be in a small singing group and also attended summer music camp. Music was an important part of my parents’ lives and so it was in mine.

High School, however, did nothing to develop my musical aspirations. In fact it wasn’t until I had been married and divorced that I met a musician, spent time with his band, and realized music was something I wanted to pursue. This was challenging as I had a small child at that time and a series of men in my life who didn’t want to work.  This left me little time to focus on my goal. I did what I could, though, and played part-time in a series of bands for very little money.  A few years later I had the opportunity to work as a flight attendant which broadened my horizons but left no time for music. When I quit flying I went back to music again, still playing “cover” songs in bands.

When my son went to college I moved to Atlanta and decided to take on the corporate world, once again putting music away. It was during this time, on my 40th birthday, that I sang karaoke with a co-worker, Diane Otte. My son, in town from college, said we sounded good. I asked Diane if she wanted to try and write some songs together. I also learned to play the guitar. In a short time we were an acoustic duo called “Delilah” and I wrote my first real song, “I Want my Heart Back”. (You can hear it on my website www.sherrylawsonplanet.com .) Eight years later I had moved to Memphis, married my husband, Ed; moved back to Kansas City so he could go to chiropractic school; and while there, recorded my first CD….at age 48.

You may or may not be familiar with the recording industry and their views on age. I can tell you firsthand, they are not even nice about it. They are only looking for youngsters to “break.”   Of course the music industry merely serves as a larger reflection of society’s negative views on aging. Where does that leave people like me? At 54, I am recording my 2nd CD and writing a musical around the songs on my first album. I can’t wait for the world to wake-up and recognize my worth. I’m going to show it to them.

I started this website to encourage my youth-challenged peers to go for their dreams also. Hopefully to give and get support; to thumb our noses at the corporate machine that tells us we’re too old to change our lives and to live our dreams. I’m going forward and I have a feeling there are lots of wonderful, creative people out there who would like to do the same. Perhaps you are afraid to take that first step; maybe you feel you are too old or too unsupported to take that leap of faith.

So here’s how I see this working: If you have a Late Bloomer story of your own and would like to share it—to give inspiration to others who maybe share a similar dream—I would like to post it here. You will have the option to share your email address or to simply interact with others on the site. Send me your information. I would love to have a picture too—most of us are more visually oriented. Read through the Late Bloomer stories we have and if you have something a little different to add PLEASE do it. Let’s be part of the solution.

And if you have a dream you’ve never attempted, wouldn’t now be the time to dust it off and get started? Read through the stories here and if you connect with someone, write them, either by emailing them or talking with them through this site. Ask them questions, ask for their help. People love the opportunity to mentor and anyone whose story is on this site is here for that reason. Anytime I’m online you can “live chat” with me too.

Also, I’ve added some great links to movies, music, and art that I find inspiring. I would love to check out your ideas on that too, so send any suggestions even if you’re too young for us!