Sheryl Youngblood is an American gospel and blues singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, and audio/visual technician from Chicago, Illinois. A Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and inductee of the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame, she has built a distinguished career spanning decades as a powerful vocalist, dynamic performer, and advocate for social causes through music.

Born into a musical family, Youngblood was immersed in music from an early age. Her mother, a pianist and vocalist, led a female gospel group called The Royal Harmonetts and was active in their local church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Inspired by this environment, Sheryl began singing and playing instruments in the church, forming her own female group, Sisters, during her teenage years. She wrote original songs for the group and for the National Baptist State Convention, marking the beginning of her songwriting journey.

Her professional career took a significant turn when she joined the world-renowned gospel ensemble Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers of Chicago, affectionately known as “The Tommies.” During her tenure with the group, they earned Grammy and Stellar Award recognition, solidifying her place in the gospel music landscape.

Youngblood expanded her artistry beyond gospel, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the Chicago blues scene. In 1995, she founded SAYYES!, an all-female band, and the group Ultimately Blessed (UB). Through these ensembles, she performed at numerous venues and organized annual benefit concerts supporting causes such as domestic violence survivors, cancer, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and prostate cancer awareness.

In 2013, she launched the Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band, showcasing her talents as a vocalist, drummer, songwriter, and bandleader. She has performed regularly at iconic venues including Blue Chicago, Buddy Guy’s Legends, Rosa’s Lounge, House of Blues, Kingston Mines, and the Taste of Chicago festival, as well as at major casinos and international stages in Canada and Europe. She is also a featured performer with the acclaimed blues group Mississippi Heat.

A dedicated live performer, Youngblood is known for her electrifying stage presence and audience engagement. In 2024, she composed and released the single Red Hot Women in Blues, recorded at Delmark Records’ Riverside Studio with a stellar lineup including Roosevelt Purifoy (keyboards), Sherri Weathersby (bass), Pooky Styx (drums), and Joanna Connor (guitar). The song was premiered at a special event honoring women in blues at Chicago’s Harris Theatre, presented by Delmark Records.

Beyond performance, Youngblood is a certified audio and video technician, trained in videography, editing, lighting, and stage management through CAN TV and hands-on experience with Hands R Us Staging. She has worked on productions for various theaters and special events, further demonstrating her multifaceted role in the music industry.

Her discography includes Stranger In My Bed and a live recording at House of Blues featuring her reimagined version of Etta James’ At Last. A recipient of the Denise LaSalle Recording of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, Sheryl Youngblood continues to perform, record, and inspire, driven by her mission to uplift audiences through the transformative power of music.