Solo guitarist John Sherry uses fan reactions to shape his sound, with great response.

A few years ago, John Sherry was performing Carlos Santana’s “Europa” on the patio at C Restaurant + Bar in Monterey. Little did Sherry know that the moment he started playing, Tom Coster, one of the co-authors of the song, was being seated.

Surprised to hear his song, Coster approached Sherry after it ended and asked, “Why did you play that song? Do you know who I am?”

Sherry has a way of telling the story that makes the audience laugh. The banter between songs is so relaxed, it’s as if Sherry is playing for friends.

But even with his trademark humor and boatloads of stories, Sherry takes his work seriously. He strives continuously to freshen up songs to make them resonate more. Having mastered the art of listening to his audience, Sherry hears the crowd as much as they listen to him – and perhaps even more attentively. A Billie Eilish tune fell flat with the crowd (to Sherry’s surprise), but songs like “Europa” and Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” are perpetual favorites.

The songs he plays evolve over time and so does his interpretation of them. His acoustic guitar has a shimmer and gives Sherry the flexibility to put a personal stamp on crowd favorites. Sherry “feels” the audience, making adjustments based on their reactions.

The strategy works.

Sherry has recorded eight albums so far. The most recent was released just days before pandemic closures in 2020, with the help of local engineer/producer Jesse Decarlo. Circle of Dreams was his first album produced by someone other than himself. Sherry regards it as his best so far.

Sherry’s fans were requesting a new album, and Sherry agreed the time was ripe. A new addition to his lineup, The Art of Dreaming, is available on CD, with the vinyl version coming by mid-December.

“Music is the art made in dreams,” Sherry says. “Music can be inspiring or take one to a place of reflection or just relaxation and enable a feeling of peace. I recorded this album with those ideas in mind.”

For the first time, Sherry will also include two originals, “Tuesday’s Child” and “Deep Water,” which fit right in with his classic rock style.

JOHN SHERRY plays 6pm Thursday, Dec. 5 at Monterey Plaza Hotel lobby, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. 7pm Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at C Restaurant + Bar, 750 Cannery Row, Monterey; noon Sunday, Dec. 8 at Bernardus Lodge, 415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. There is no cover for any of these shows.