"Wild" Bill Kohut / Drums
Mark Kos / Lead Guitar
"Murph" Martell / Guitar, Vocals
Brenda Weber / Vocals
Influences
George Strait, Merle Haggard, Steve Wariner, Tracy Byrd, Johnny Duncan, Brad Paisley, David Allan Coe
Sounds Like
Jerry's style covers a wide range from Merle Haggard and George Strait to Trace Adkins and Tim McGraw!
His uniqueness is in his original music, now being played globally!!
Jerry began his musical pursuits in the late 70's as the bass guitar player for the rock band Ozone that he and his friends Chris Kane and Dan Herman formed as juniors in high school.
From that beginning he played with various bands, mostly in the Heavy Metal genre -believe it or not! Though he played in heavy metal bands, Jerry was always country at heart.
"I always loved country music", says Jerry. I enjoyed it as I was growing up when my mom and dad played it on the radio. I never told any of my friends that I listened to country because it would have 'ruined' my image as a 'rock star'". He continued, "I did some pretty wild things back then. I wore spandex pants, spiked arm bands, hand cuff belt, etc. I even shot flames out the end of my guitar for some awesome effects".
Jerry's first performance on a country stage came in 1988 at the True Value Country Music Showdown at the Tussey Mountain Ski Resort. Though he had never performed country music in public prior to the show, he placed 3rd in the competition!
After the show he was approached by one of the judges, who happened to be a representative from MCA/Nashville records. Jerry was asked to develop some original songs and submit them to
MCA for review.
Though the opportunity was intriguing, he never pursued it. "I'll never forget the feeling I had when the judge approached me after the show", stated Jerry. "To say I was excited would be an understatement".
When asked what happened Jerry explained "I guess it was just timing. I didn't have any contacts in the song writing industry, and I hadn't wrote any of my own songs. As time went on, life just kind of took over and I had to focus on making a living".
Although Jerry was inactive as a performer for the next few years, he never lost his love for music. "I met a musician from State College, Pa. named Tommy Wareham. He turned out to be one of my greatest friends and supporters. He inspired and encouraged me back into music".
In October of 2000, Jerry videoed three country songs for the Fast Track To Fame and Sonic Records nationwide talent search competition. He was chosen "most marketable" by the Sonic Records label and offered a professional recording and promotion package. In September of 2001, Jerry made the trip to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and recorded the song "I Wonder If She Thinks Of Me".
After the release of the song to radio, Jerry's first recording actually rose to ..48 on the nationwide Indie (independent artist) chart! It stayed on the chart for 5 months!
"I was so excited about the success of my first release!", Jerry said. "To have a song played on national radio was great, but to have it climb the charts because people wanted to hear it was a dream come true!".
Since that initial success, Jerry traveled to Nashville in 2004 after signing with A.M.I. Records and recorded two songs Its A Good Thing and If Only. On January 23, 2006, Its A Good Thing was released on the Lone Pine Records label to over 600 radio stations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and various parts of Europe.
2006 will find Jerry in Nashville once again to record his first full-length CD. He has teamed up with songwriter/producer Tom Paden (Paden Place Music). Jerry comments Im very fired-up about working with Tom. Hes a seasoned veteran in the music industry in Nashville, not only as a quality songwriter, but with the skills of a great producer, to help me bring quality music to my fans!. Jerrys music career appears to be on an upswing, and with influences like George Strait, Merle Haggard, Steve Wariner, Tracy Byrd, and Brad Paisley, it seems he's now deeply rooted in country music. He formed his current touring band, North Country, in 2005 and played some great venues including the Clearfield County Fair, Relay For Life and Childrens Miracle Network benefit shows, and a variety of other concerts. Jerry also became very popular in Canada in 2005, as well as overseas in Australia, New Zealand, and Belgium.
In 2006 Jerry was voted The Starliners Favorite Indie Artist award!
He has opened for such acts as the Marshall Tucker Band and Neal McCoy, and is looking forward to hitting the road in 2008, and meeting lots of new people.
"I really feel this is the year to make some big things happen", Jerry said. The thing I love the most is meeting new people. I never miss a chance to honor our military veterans. I also enjoy talking with the children at my shows and try to influence them to dream big and not be afraid to chase those dreams!".
We're sure you'll be hearing more from Jerry very soon..........
Say Hello To My Heart
I think you get a amazing future in front of you with your music and you have real good and amazing songs and I wish you all the best with your music and your future with music in years forward:)
PEACE BE WITH YOU, MAY YOUR HOLIDAY BE FILLED WITH JOY AND MAY GODS GRACE SHINE DOWN ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAY YOU ALL GET TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH JESUS. PEACE PASTOR ZIG
Hey Jerry, I am so excited about the elk hunt. I can't wait to come out and hunt with you guys! And to tell you the truth dad is excited to be able to come back out, too. I think he is more excited about my hunt than he was about his own. Oh, and I love your new song... it is amazing! See you all soon! <3 Jess
Dear friend Jerry Schickling: Thank you very much for becoming my musical friend. Your songs are nice... take your guts and show these beauties to the world. I wish you success. Trully we worldwide musicians must stick together, love and support one another, thus my wanting you to hear my CD "Nas quebradas do sertão", a record abounding with regional music, my very roots, to be out next october. A fraternal musical embrace from your Brazilian friend and admirer,
Hello Jerry, Hope your having a great Sunday.Your interview on The Hound is Awesome. I'm still stuck on one song of yours " If Only". One of your many fans from St.Mary's, Pa. ~hugss~ Joyce
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