Jerry Krahn, acoustic guitar instrumentalist, brings a rich personal and musical background to the stage. His varied musical guitar styling, lyrical melodies and thoughtful improvising intrigue and entertain listeners around the country and the world.

Born in 1953, the Wisconsin native enjoyed the ethnic and robust
sounds of polka music. This deeply rooted style tugged at his heart
more than the milk and cheese from the dairy barn. At ten years of
age the musical road quickly led to becoming a fixture on that scene, eventually working with greats Verne Meisner and Frankie Yankovich.

As his listening skills and musical styles broadened, Jerry found inspiration and knowledge in Milwaukee jazz legend guitarist Don Momblow, and later, contemporary jazz artist Jack Grassel. The road to becoming a journeyman musician included studies at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and concentrated lessons in a variety of styles. This pursuit led to stints in 70s show bands, USO tours, and country and pop bands, one of which was Capitol/ABC Nashville recording artist Duane Dee. The early 80s found Jerry doing musical promotions for Emmber Brands Deli Meat, Milwaukee. The "Lean and Tender" duo musically sold the"sizzle" at meetings, shows and grand openings across the east and midwest. Later Jerry was a founding member, electric-synth guitarist and front man to the very popular and successful Four Wheel Drive band, performing Top 40 Country and Classic Rock at every major fair, festival and club in Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. At that time Jerry released his self-produced album Take Your Pick garnering very fine reviews.

A move to Nashville in 1990 led Jerry to the Opryland Theme Park where he honed his Dixieland and Trad Jazz skills on
the plectrum banjo and archtop guitar. His association with the many fine jazz players in Music City transpired into a hookup with the Titan Hot Seven jazz band. That "hot jazz" band performs at jazz festivals throughout the country and around the world. Jerry’s skill and knowledge of early jazz masters, art of rhythm playing and solos in the acoustic archtop jazz guitar style is featured. It’s the same skill that keeps him in demand in Nashville as a studio session player, soloist, with his own quartet and western swing bands The Time Jumpers and Western Swingers.

Jerry and Pam reside in Hermitage, Tennessee, approximately twenty miles east of "Music Row" in downtown Nashville. Jerry's son Robert is assistant band director at West Orange High School in Orlando. Daughter Whitney attends graduate school at NYU; French studies. His parents Clarence "Sparky" and LaVerne Krahn still live on the same Wisconsin farm and sisters Joyce and Gloria live just a stones throw away from the homestead.

Other interests include buying and selling vintage musical, hi-fi and stereo gear, along with an occasional antique collectible. For a number of years Jerry utilized his eye for detail and hand skills in the graphic arts trade as a printing
pre-press four-color stripper and quality control specialist, while still pursing his musical career. Jerry now enjoys that pursuit on a successful full time basis.

All along this path, Jerry’s love for multiple musical styles and guitarists keeps growing and infusing itself into the soul
of what you hear from his guitars. Jerry produced two solo acoustic archtop recordings Garden in the Rain and No Wires Attached, along with two group recordings, Midwest Dreams and the recent Tell Me I'm Crazy have captured that passion with timeless melodies and heartfelt arrangements of jazz/pop standards, folk and original compositions. We encourage you to explore the aural and visual grace of these vintage guitars in the hands of Jerry Krahn.