Artist description Solo artist performing from the heart with a song for everyone.

Music Style Blues, Folk and Rock

Musical Influences Rock, Country, Jazz, Folk, Blues

Similar Artists Cher, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez

Artist History Jodi spent years performing with her husband in the Wind River Band until his death 3 years ago. She has bounced back from her tragedy with her solo album "American Gypsy."Like many other artists who know how to "sing the blues", Jodi Jarchow had humble beginnings growing up on a small farm in Wisconsin. "Sweet Jodi" decided she wanted to sing at the age of six and was always climbing on the kitchen table to perform - much to her mother's disapproval.She taught herself how to play the guitar at sixteen and bought a $75.00 twelve-string that made her small fingers bleed. But, she kept on practicing and by the time she was twenty had saved up enough to buy a decent guitar playing at every church function, family gathering or party she could. She wasn't shy."Sweet Jodi" started meeting with another guitarist once a week to play in the open area of a small shopping mall. His melody and her harmony were perfect in more ways than one and a year later he proposed. Having exchanged new guitars as wedding gifts, they wrote and sang their promise of love at their wedding. It was about this time Chris gave her the title "American Gypsy" which sticks with her to this day.It wasn't too many years before Chris (stage name "Jackson Sly") and his "Sweet Jodi" were going into debt, buying sound equipment and performing all over Wisconsin and Minnesota as "Sweet Jodi and the Double Eagle Band" later to be renamed "Wind River." They played some pretty big venues around the Twin Cities and their agent wanted to send them on tour for weeks at a time.That's when the happy couple decided they could have just as much fun playing music in the kitchen. Besides, they had kids to raise. Mom and Dad being far away from home just wouldn't work. Even though, American Gypsy would sneak off in the night to perform in talent shows - and, come home with prize money, an extra $100 for family needs.The rest of their seventeen years together, before Chris's sudden death in 1996, were spent working, limiting their traveling to the Midwest and singing the whole way. "This is the good life", Chris would say. And it was. But the sudden stillness of his voice, his melody gone, brought Jodi to a place where music was empty. It was quiet for almost a year.Jodi's son Cal and her dear friend Dreaminghawk would help her laugh and soon music began growing in her once more. She began to write and recorded ten original songs simply as a legacy to her dear son. Her songs found an audience however on MP3.com and, with Dreaminghawks help and promotion has been keeping up with the competition in the Minnesota charts.Jodi is now working on recording her next CD, having written twelve more original tunes. She has joined Minnesota Coalition Records (MCR) and performs at MCR Showcases as American Gypsy (her solo act) and with StrangeCloud (a three-piece act with Fred Wheeler and Jeff Anderson). She jumps on stage at every motorcycle rally and party when the performing bands see her and invite her up. She still isn't shy.(continued on reverse)Some of the local bands she has performed with include "Red Line", "Pork Chop", and "Chained Lightin'". She has also been known to perform with old friends like the "Killer Hayseeds". Her latest project has been writing and performing songs for Minnesota State agencies with and emphasis on diversity issues.In addition to her numerous performances and appearances, American Gypsy (and her late husband Jackson Sly) created the annual "Apple Jam" in Somerset, Wisconsin. She won the New Richmond, Wisconsin radio valentine contest (with a song written for her Jackson Sly and was featured on Beach Radio in Florida for the grand opening of a U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting station.

Group Members Music, lyrics & performing artists: Jodi Jarchow. A special thanks to a friend, John Ludi, who produced my first album and Jon Solo who produced my second CD "Safe Place" and brought out the best in my music.

Instruments Guitar, bass, mandolin, percussion, keyboard...

Albums Safe Place, American Gypsy, Songs by American Gypsy, Bite Me!, American Gypsy - Personal Picks, American Gypsy - New Beginning,

Press Reviews Acoustic Internet Radio AIR by Indie Journal: "One of the best female vocalists on mp3.com."..........Minnesota Coalition 'Song of the Day'-March 23, 2000: "On the heavier side of folk-rock, this song [June Cleaver] talks of the tough sacrifices we make for love. Jodi Jarchow is an incredible songwriter and sings in the style of Cher and Joan Baez, entertaining twin cities' audiences both as a solo performer and a "in demand" backup singer for some of the area's most popular bands..........Aardvark's 'Country Select': [He Offered His Hand] "I have enjoyed this song since the second I first heard it. The story it tells, and the imagery it provides is subtle and strong. This great combination of story, tune, artist and imagery (and the artist says this is a true story!!!) makes it a treasure among my "select' choices." [Brotherhawk] "Native American theme, feel, and story, with deep imagery...All wound together and done very well, very, very well indeed!!!".........."My selection here is a Native American-Folk-Love Song...There IS 'just' something about the way the artist captures and shares the feeling that comes through when you have 'that' Native American mystique and beat, and a mystical voice to 'boot'...Love IT!!..........FreeAudioPlayer Spotlight Artist, October 28, 2000: "The first time I heard this fabulous artist I liked it instantly...and rushed to grab my credit card to buy her CD...Warning--This music just might make you feel the same way---Listen at your own risk !!" ----March 2000 - Winner, MP3.com "Blues Battle of the Bands." -----March 29, 2000 - "June Cleaver" MP3.com featured song. -----March 30, 2000 - "June Cleaver" MP3.com Folk/Rock featured song. -----April 2, 2000 - Minnesota Coalition Featured Artist. "Folk, Blues, and Rock built around dynamic vocalsand incredibly poignant lyrics."-----Freeaudioplayers "Featured New Residents" Vol.26 Radio - "This is a top flight artist. Fred Wheeler from StangeCloud was bragging her up and thought the whole community should give her a listen. Watch out before you click the download button. I was a buyer instantly..... The whole CD is great!! Thanks, Fred, for sending this one our way...... the whole community will really enjoy her mystical-magical-music."

Location Ham Lake, MN - USA

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