“That Shandy…she has an old soul.”
Grandma Tuskaderro on her favorite grandchild
Old Soul: noun: a person who demonstrates a maturity or understanding beyond their years; someone who has a certain charm about them that makes others feel captivated and in awe.
Somewhere in Nebraska, south of Pine Ridge and east of Pine Bluffs, there’s a one-stoplight town. A town of solid midwestern folk who have proven that they can outlast brutal winters and blistering summers. Folks who have shown they have what it takes to grab what they need from the world and master their own destiny. Out of this fabric of America, our Shandy was born.
Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for her town, Shandy’s visions lay beyond the old mine off Highway 26 or the bright lights of the tourism industry surrounding Carhenge. No, that would not be enough for Shandy, who craved bright lights of a different kind…those of the stage.
From where did Shandy’s spirit of adventure emerge? Was it being a middle child caught between “smart,” “funny,” and “talented” sisters? Was it the stolid, dogged tenacity of her Germanic heritage? No, we think not. Her old soul could not be confined, nor would it allow her light to be hidden under a bushel.
So it was at a young age when Shandy set off on her own. With an old rucksack in one hand and a fistful of dollars in the other, she bought the only train ticket she could afford…to Omaha.
Shandy didn’t think Omaha was her final stop; rather, it was just a stopgap until she could raise more money to head East. And then, she found it: the one thing that would stop her wandering spirit: community.
Like many other performers before her, she paid the rent by waitressing. But it was the pop-up puppet shows, impromptu street dramas, and busking on the corner of 11th and Howard streets where she paid her dues. And with an old soul like Shandy, it was only a matter of time until she had captivated and enthralled a community of fans.
If you are a longtime PetRock fan, you may have seen Shandy selling merch and working shows a few years ago. Or lugging our gear as one of our all-time great roadies. She was, of course, superb at these tasks. But she is even more incredible up front, on the stage, giving the fans what they came for a cool show with cool music performed by cool people.
At the end of the day, though, Shandy says her favorite part of being a part of PetRock is meeting you…the fans…the pebbles…the Pet Rock community.
