Originating from the Midwestern big river city of Fort Madison, Iowa. Jonas Woodstock is an American beatnik Singer/Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for his captivating one man band act the GYPSY HIPPIE HILLBILLY DUDES ROADSIDE REVIVAL.

Over the years he has developed his own distinctive style and vibrant sound which he identifies as “Appalachian Greendirt Folk Rock n Soul”. The foundation of his music has its roots in folk, early 50’s rock n roll, and psychedelic rock with infused touches of early country, blues, and bluegrass.

His songs of hardship and hope within darkness come from his array of experiences as a traveling, train hopping busker. Structure freed songs and deep poetic language based lyrics are all influenced by the beatnik, folk, and stoic movements.

He performs either as a solo acoustic act with guitar and harmonica or as a full one man band act which features a twelve pedal foot percussion system, crafted by Farmer Foot Drums. How he performs is dependent upon the needs of the venue.

His free spirited performances make for a colorful, fun loving, foot stomping atmosphere that is full of raw emotions and artistry.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

IN THE BEGINNING

 Jonas always had a passion for music. Growing up, he would sneak into his father’s vinyl collection and listen to them night and day favoring Bob Dylan and the Woodstock festival album. He began playing music when his high school first offered a beginners guitar class. As the class clown, he was expelled from the class not too long into the semester due to writing his own inappropriate lyrics and music instead of the class assignments. He then played with classmates in garage bands that never developed. With the desire to further develop his music passion, he took to the streets in Birmingham, Alabama. In the five point area he met a street performer, Jerry “Tarbaby” Johnson, who taught Jonas how to become a street musician. The two travelled thru Georgia and Alabama playing as a street musician duo, including some performances at local bars. Jonas increased his skills on the guitar but also learned to play percussion accompaniment with Jerry.

After his mother passed away due to Cancer, to ease his pain, he took his music on the road. Over the next years he wandered; train hopping and hitch hiking throughout the South busking his music on the streets. This allowed Jonas to perfect his craft and love of music while bringing enjoyment to those who appreciate original artistry. Over the next years, this part of his life is very sketchy. He and other sources are still unsure of the details surround this time of his life. What is known is that in some time during this period he began to perform as a true one man band. It is reported that he also made money playing on buckets, pots and pans or whatever he could find in the trash to play on the streets.

After returning home, he made his first self produced album titled, “Low Quality”. He teamed up with a local production group that toured playing jazz, gospel, and blues festivals. With minimal success, he decided to hit the streets again. Later that year, he notice that the local music scene had become stagnant and diluted with indie pop synth sounds so he packed up and rode the rails finally settling in Cleveland, Ohio. With a lack of professional contacts in the saturated market, he went to work in factories and occasionally performed. During this time he began writing and composing song for his second self produced album, “Divided Highway”

Jonas went back on the road to promote the new album and settled in Springfield, Illinois. There he performed locally as a solo act and as a member of a few bands. He performed in the area for a few years doing house concerts, festivals, fairs, art exhibitions, corporate and charitable events, and playing and hosting local open mic nights. Wanting to rediscover himself and his passion for music, he traveled as a busker during the Summer festival seasons. After a few years he decided it was time to get roots and settled in his Mothers home town of Fort Madison, Iowa.

Wanting to take a more progressive approach with his music and to perform his original material, he set a goal to make music his full time career. Jonas wants to bring that special chemistry and magic learned on the streets to audiences that have an appreciation for original music.