Annnnnd for a more sincere take…
Sarah Scharbrough McLaughlin is a singer/songwriter and worship leader from Indianapolis, Indiana. While she could name a whole slew of artists she has toured with, opened for, and recorded with, the truth is that she is just making it all work like everyone else.
She has worked with some fantastic people and some pretty crappy ones too. She has played arenas and sung nationally known jingles. She has also played lousy gigs until exhausting hours where only four people showed up and she was the opener for a mediocre clown act. Like, literally a clown. And that is just in the last month.
She has had a solid musical career with many amazing opportunities all over the world and five studio albums released, but she has committed serious career murder by taking off for long maternity leaves with each of her five children. Nonetheless, she has stood behind her decision to do so and the Lord has graciously worked it all out.
She has been dropped off tours with no notice as many performers have experienced. She has been told by Christian labels to "tidy up" the gospel and say the name of Jesus more. She has been told by mainstream labels that she's not quite "pop" enough. She has also worked in many churches and sometimes been told that working in the church as a woman means 'sometimes the church wins, sometimes family wins.' She has dug in her heels and said 'then no one wins.' Somehow in the Lord's kindness, He continues to connect Sarah with people through song and story in her genre-crossing, honest musical material.
She will likely be a little slow returning your call/email/tweet/FB message/text, scattered upon arrival, will need a room to pump breastmilk, and will probably overshare, but despite these oddities, she will pray for your event, have her heart completely engaged, and love the new friends she'll meet. They will go on to keep in touch for years. (Don't worry; her manager will help make sure details are taken care of!!!) She will laugh and cry with her audiences and her songs will resonate with folks young to old.
Though she has chosen a life of ministry (or maybe it has chosen her), she still dreams about tropical vacations and really wants to drive a Lexus SUV someday thanks to her vast experience driving her grandparents’ expensive cars. Knowing that these things are perhaps pipe dreams, she is not in this to make money. She has seven mouths to feed, but if she can make it happen to join you, she absolutely will. Especially if you follow through and promote/mention her CDs like you say you will. Don't let the finances be the reason that you don't connect.
Yes, musician is part of her title. But a far more important role to Sarah is that of wife, mother, friend, neighbor, and, mostly, daughter of the King.
Sarah fills her time with raising her 5 children, cooking, shoving stuff in closets, laundering cloth diapers, singing songs throughout the house, texting her husband 'important' things, looking online at Target.com, packing lunches, leading worship at conferences, playing tennis or pickleball, doing concerts in clubs, replacing the toilet paper rolls, reading, laughing with her small group, blogging, doing musical studio session work, having people over for dinner, and driving her kids all over the county for school/playdates/sports/lessons. And she is incredibly thankful for all of it.
Her main events include women's retreats and conferences, house concerts, worship leading/mini-concerts in churches and church events, choral and other guest artist events, private/corporate parties and festivals. Oh and opening for clowns. If you are still willing to take the risk after reading her bio, now is the time to book or share your event.
About
Sarah Scharbrough McLaughlin is a world-class performer, songwriter and worship leader, whose music has taken her around the globe. Her soulful, eclectic sound combines a rich tapestry of influences, including her classical and jazz training, and a broad spectrum of experiences in gospel, pop, and country music.
Sarah has released six original studio albums; her interpretations of classics breathe fresh life into time-honored favorites, and her original songs express both the depth of her musical gift and a soulful honesty that sets her apart as a rare treasure to Central Indiana and the world.
An Indiana native and Anderson University graduate, Sarah’s voice can be heard on local and national commercials and radio jingles for brands like New Balance, the Indianapolis Colts, Cedar Point Theme Park, and many more. She has been featured on two Emmy Award-winning TV shows: Artrageous with Nate, and Cook and Belle’s Playhouse. She has collaborated and performed with Grammy Award-winning artists Bill and Gloria Gaither, Sandi Patty, Grammy Award-winning artists Bill and Gloria Gaither, Sandi Patty, Dennis Quaid, Chris Blue, Dave Koz, Jon McLaughlin, Josh Kaufman, Kris Allen, as well as Indiana favorites Ryan Ahlwardt, The Wright Brothers, Alanna Story, Cook & Belle, Jennie Devoe and countless others. She will be joining Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominees Point of Grace on a national tour this fall/winter 2024.
Sarah serves as an artist-in-residence with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. As an alum, this is a full circle experience and opportunity to perform alongside and create for the this organization.
In 2001, Sarah married her college sweetheart, Jeff McLaughlin, who is a music educator at Westfield High School and highly respected performer. The McLaughlins have put down their roots in Noblesville where they reside with their five children.
