Artist description Cheryl Cloud (1956-1995) was a very gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist whose music is continuing to gain new audiences 5 years after her untimely passing.

Music Style Singer/Songwriter

Musical Influences Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Karla Bonnoff, Judy Collins

Similar Artists Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez

Artist History Cheryl began singing and writing songs when she was only 7 years old. By the age of eight, the choir at a local church was publicly performing her songs. In high school she began performing live and on cable TV shows. By the time she entered college, Cheryl was well established as a solo performer. In 1978, Cheryl and husband Mark Cloud formed the folk/rock band Common Ground www.mp3.com/CommonGround and began bringing their brand of folk/rock to audiences throughout Southern California; they played such legendary clubs as The Troubadour, The Ice House, Madam Wong's, the Bla Bla Cafe and many, many others. The band's videos and record releases garnered quite a bit of airplay on Los Angeles TV and radio stations. In 1994, Cheryl and Common Ground released their first full length CD, "Hard Choices" which was extremely well received by critics and music fans alike. Sadly, in 1991, Cheryl had been diagnosed with cancer; a combination of sheer determination, the support of her family, and an excelent oncologist allowed Cheryl to carry on performing until her passing in August, 1995. After 16 surgeries (including the removal of most of one lung), Cheryl continued to perform live, both with Common Ground and as a solo artist. In recognition of her efforts, and for increasing cancer awareness through her music, Cheryl received the American Cancer Society's "Courage Award" in `1994. Cheryl left behind hundreds of songs and had asked Mark and the other members of Common Ground to keep them alive for her. They have been doing so ever since, to date releasing 4 more CDs to an ever increasing audience. As of this writing, Cheryl's song "Hard Choices" is rising fast in the national New Music Weekly charts, adding 5-8 new radio stations per week. Cheryl's story is far from over. There exist stacks of solo recordings of Cheryl made by Mark Cloud over the 19 years they were together. This MP3 page will be used to finally make many of these recordings available to everyone. All of Cheryl's original songs are available for licensing; please contact Uncommonly Round Records at www.uncommonlyround.com

Group Members CHERYL CLOUD: Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard, Hammered and Appalachian Dulcimers.

Instruments Guitar, Keyboard, Dulcimers

Albums Songs of Christmas Volume One; The Best of Common Ground 1979-1999, Volumes One & Two; Hard Choices, Wings ofSilver, Live at the Emu Farm,

Press Reviews "Cloud's songs reveal life's pain and conquests...recalling traditional Irish tunes that sing of war, courage and family." THE BEAR VALLEY VOICE"Many of Cloud's songs explore the joys and difficulties of staying together in relationships, or in community with family. These are the concerns of people with day jobs, careers even, families and children. The concerns of Cheryl Cloud's world are not the stuff of mid-twenties bluffing. Cloud also had a wonderful voice and an instinct for catchy phrases. Much of [Cloud's] music contains many of the elements that made Woody Guthrie's so beloved." GREEN MAN REVIEW

Additional Info "Legacy" a 2 volume set of Cheryl Cloud solo will be released here soon, taken from recordings made from 1976-1995. Also planned is a second volume of "The Songs of Christmas."

Location Murrieta, California - USA

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