Shawnda Rains Sherrer 

On July 4, 2026, Shawnda Rains Shearer was recognized at Denison’s July 4th Spectacular for America 250 where her students performed for bringing music back to the Rialto and developing talented youngsters into amazing performers. 

Shawnda Rains Shearer purchased and restored the Rialto Theatre in Downtown Denison; a historic theatre built in 1920. She hired the best studio musicians in Dallas, Texas and began producing a musical variety show, the “Main Street Showcase,” enjoying a successful year-round, 12-year run.   

In 2010, Shawnda’s band was named the official band of the “Texas Country Music Hall of Fame” in Carthage, Texas by founder Tommie Ritter Smith. They have backed many legendary country music artists.   

Shawnda Rains Studios in Downtown Denison is home to the performance troupe StageStruck, providing entertainment at festivals, shows, and venues, often seen at Denison’s signature events as well as in Branson and Nashville, TN.   

The studio provides training to artists in the areas of vocal performance, guitar, piano, ukulele, recording/production, stage presence, and artist development. Shawnda works with artists in most genres of commercial styles, but her talents as a vocal stylist specializes in Country, Christian, Musical Theatre, Rock, and Pop. She works to transform the artists’ voice and career by teaching vocal techniques to develop their signature sound, demonstrating how to sing with power and style, giving them the tools to build their brand, and the strategy to propel their career.