Brian Sheridan started as a business teacher at Lake Forest High School in August. When he’s not teaching, he performs as a musician.
Q. What’s your work background?
A. I was in corporate sales for 18 years. I switched to teaching in 2008. I was at York High School in Elmhurst.
Q. That’s an interesting change, corporate sales to teacher.
A. It was in my head since college. I was just getting to an age where I thought if I’m going to do that, I need to do it now.
Q. Did corporate sales pay better than teaching?
A. Yeah. I took a big pay cut. From six figures to not six figures.
Q. You also perform with several bands?
A. I’m in a rock-for-family band called Ralph’s World. For a while we had some good success. We had a two record deal with Disney records and got nominated for a Grammy (Green Gorilla, Monster & Me in 2006). We used to play Ravinia and sell out. We were at our most successful around 2004 to 2007. Then the economy collapsed and took a lot of the music business with it.
Q. A day job plus a successful band? Sounds like you were busy.
A. Back in the day when I was in corporate sales, I would fly out on a Friday night, do shows in whatever city and then fly back on Sunday and go to work.
Q. Other bands?
A. I’m in an original band called the Bad Examples. Also the Good Mondays. We’re a cover band.
Q. Do you handle the business aspects of the Good Mondays?
A. Big time. I do all the negotiations, contracts, bookings, social media and promotion.
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Q. I’m told you also started an online business?
A. It’s not something we take seriously. I said to this friend of mine who is a carpenter that I want to build a coffin. It’s strictly a Halloween prop. We built one and put it online. Next thing you know we have people inquiring.
Q. What’s your business named?
A. Ghouls with Tools.
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