• Genre: Folk
• Active: '80s, '90s
• Instrument: Guitar, Vocals, Producer
• Representative Album: "Songs of Christmas, Vol. 1"

Biography

Born in 1956, Cheryl Cloud began her writing and singing career at the early age of seven. Her original songs were first publicly performed by her local church choir when she was eight. She continued singing, and in high school began performing live as well as on cable TV shows. Her musical influences were popular folk artists Judy Collins, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell. She had established herself as a solo performer in her own right by the time she entered college.

Then in 1978, Cheryl Cloud (songwriter, lead vocals, acoustic guitar), along with husband Mark Cloud (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, dobro, mandolin, Appalachian dulcimer, keyboards), Marcy Hogan (vocals, viola, keyboards), Scott Van Dusen (drums, percussion), and Bill Carrigan (vocals, bass, acoustic guitar) formed Cheryl Cloud and Common Ground; the band became simply Common Ground after Cloud's death in 1995. They released an EP, Leaving Love Behind, in 1981. However, until 1994, they primarily concentrated on their live performances at clubs such as Madame Wong's, the Troubadour, and the Ice House, as well as videos for Los Angeles TV.

In 1991, Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer. With the support of her family and friends, a skilled oncologist, and a lot of personal determination, she was able to continue performing live until 1995, both with Common Ground, and as a solo artist. This was even after 16 operations and the removal of most of one lung. In 1994, the American Cancer Society honored her efforts to increase cancer awareness through her songs by giving her its Courage Award. She died August 3, 1995.

Cheryl Cloud left a legacy of hundreds of songs, including a 19-year archive of solo recordings. Before she died, she asked her husband Mark and Common Ground to keep on performing them. The band has honored her request, releasing group albums Wings of Silver (1996), Live at the Emu Farm (1998), Best of Common Ground, Vol. 1 (2000), and Best of Common Ground Vol. 2 (2001), as well as an album of Cheryl's solo performances, Songs of Christmas, Vol. 1 (2000). Additional releases are pending for 2001. ~ Murrday Fisher, All Music Guide