Jerry Goodman is an accordionist, pianist, synthesist, vibraphonist, and band leader of The Jerry Goodman Group (a variety band), The Gootmon Sauerkraut Show Band (German), Mucho Mariachi (Mexican), Caribean Breeze Band (island music), Bon Ton Playboys (Cajun), and The Lil' Dixie Jazz Band (Dixieland).

He taught music for over fifteen years and has played in and led bands for an even longer period. He placed fourth in world-wide competition on the accordion and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied music theory and harmony. He also plays in the 108th Army Reserve Band stationed in Charlotte, NC.

As a single, he can cover Latin music, Big Band, French, Italian, German, Swiss, and American standards very well. And with a sprinkling of Tex-Mex, Beach, Zydeco, Dixieland, Country, and Top 40, he can please any crowd.

Jerry is well versed in the Latin style, Big Band, and American standards because of extensive work with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. The Jerry Goodman Group was the house band for nine years and played all of their regional competitions.

His background in Beach, Dixieland, Country, and Top 40 comes from playing for country clubs, lounges, private parties, and conventions all around North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia.

The German, Swiss, French, Italian, and other European tunes came from extensive work doing different motifs for private parties for the North Carolina Piedmont area's many foreign companies in this international trade zone. In fact, The Gootmon Sauerkraut Show Band developed from just such a situation.

When the first big Octoberfest was being held in 1973 in Charlotte's new Civic Center, Jerry was asked to furnish the German music and a popular new Bavarian band emerged. It is now the South East's most popular German show band complete with Alpenhorns, tuned bells, schuhplattel dancing, yodeling, and a two and a half hour non-stop show. This band is so good that they were asked to play a season at Disney World in Florida, but their previously booked contracts made such a schedule impossible.

The heart of all these bands has always been Jerry Goodman. He is one of Charlotte's best-loved entertainment personalities. He is known not only for his musical expertise, but also for his dependability, his ability to cater to the desires of the audience, and his easy-going and pleasant demeanor. In short, the audience always loves Jerry and so will your crowd.

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