Lucas Shepherd always knew music was something he loved, but it was not until three years ago that he decided to take the plunge and pursue a music career. Now Shepherd has signed with music management company Gravel Road Nashville and is about to take his next steps in the music industry.

Shepherd signed the contract in mid-July after having multiple phone conversations with the agency. After one four-hour meeting with the company, he decided it was the right fit.

“They liked me, and I liked them as much as they liked me, so we thought it had the potential to be a good working relationship,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd said he is currently working on tour routes and plans to spend the next year playing in front of as many people as he can.

“Anything that we play ultimately is going to put us in front of a crowd that we’ve never seen before, and they’ve never seen me, so hopefully we will grow that audience,” Shepherd said.

He said the plan is to continue playing, with hopes of becoming popular enough that a record label decides to sign him.

Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council President Susie Malone said she enjoys watching artists from this area follow their dream.

“I saw him play on this stage here at the Roxy when he was a little boy, and look at him now,” Malone said. “It really shows the younger artists who perform on this stage what they really can accomplish.”

Shepherd said like most artists, he began singing in church, but by age 7, he was recording songs with his uncle “Peanutt.”

“Peanutt,” who is most well-known as Earl Montgomery, was an award-winning songwriter with a Grammy nomination for George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s “We’re Gonna Hold On.”

Shepherd said recording with his uncle allowed him to develop a greater passion for music.

“It’s really something that’s been around my entire life, so it didn’t take me long to realize it was something I really cared about and wanted to do,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd said trying to pursue music is like a rollercoaster, but it is important to press on through the good and bad.

“The key is to just ride those waves of the highs and lows and just keep a level head the entire time,” Shepherd said. “Don’t get too carried away on either side of things because there is always another day, and you never know which way that day is going to take you.”

Shepherd said some nights he might be down, but the crowd interaction is the motivation he needs to keep going.

“When you hear people give you feedback that is positive and authentic and genuine, that really goes a long way,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd said pursuing music is all about taking a leap of faith and trusting where things will go.

“That’s the thing with this – I have to have faith that it’s going to get me somewhere, but I’ve always wanted to explore this path anyway,” Shepherd said.