On a snowy December afternoon, Wolf and Gypsy of "The Wolf and Gypsy Band" sat down with me to discuss their recently released music and upcoming performance schedule. The band consists of Wolf on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Gypsy as lead singer, Kenny Peak on drums, Danny Greuter on guitar, and Michael “Scooter” Brodbeck on bass. They have been writing and performing together since 2008, delivering a sound that spans rock, southern rock, country, Americana, and blues.

Wolf and Gypsy, married for 11 years, met and fell in love after many serendipitous encounters. They’ve written and performed music throughout the U.S. with Kenny, Danny, and Michael, sharing the stage with national acts such as Blackberry Smoke, Ted Nugent, and Molly Hatchet.

Their ability to grow and transform has brought "The Wolf and Gypsy Band" sustained success, resulting in an impressive seven albums and two singles thus far in their career. When asked about how they maintain longevity, they attribute it to their amazing fans, quality song production, and their refusal to be confined to a single genre.

"When you have a band that comes from every direction, you don't have to settle on a genre," explained Gypsy. "And if you listen to any good artist, you can see them evolve. With most musicians, that's a good thing."

Wolf added, "2019 was a perfect example. We broke out of a shell when we wrote the album Masters of Music. A lot of the stuff we were putting out [up until that time] was southern and classic rock... but in 2019, we went in a completely different direction." In that album, they included a rock song, two bluegrass songs, a song about Standing Rock, and even a rock opera.

Gypsy elaborated, "We also touch on a lot of subjects you might not expect. Recently, he [Wolf] wrote a Christmas song called 'The Letter' about a little boy in the hospital, letting Santa Claus know that he wouldn't be home this year and explaining where he would be. Unfortunately, many children spend Christmas in the hospital, and we thought it was important to raise awareness and encourage people to help if they can." The Wolf and Gypsy Band further spread this message by performing "The Letter" on News 25 in a special segment where they were recognized for their community service.

Along with "The Letter," The Wolf and Gypsy Band released a new record titled Ride or Die in October 2024, now available on all streaming platforms. The album exhibits a strong blues influence akin to The Allman Brothers, showcasing the evolution of their music throughout their career. They recently shot a music video for "Slow Down" from the new album, along with a behind-the-scenes look at its making. Both are available to watch on YouTube.

As veterans of the music business, they also offered advice to new musicians. Wolf advised, "When you record, remember this: Whatever you put out there on the airwaves is there forever." Gypsy added, "It might not be in your day, but just like those famous artists who never sold anything, their paintings are now worth millions, so you never know. Watch what you sing about, and we joke: never make a songwriter mad."

As our interview concluded, I couldn't resist mentioning that Gypsy’s voice reminded me of Melissa Etheridge. Initially, I intended to keep this observation private, but I felt compelled to share it because Etheridge is one of my mother's favorite singers. My mother has been facing health challenges, requiring frequent hospital stays, and she was very much on my mind that day. With a look of excitement, Gypsy revealed that "The Wolf and Gypsy Band" had previously covered Etheridge’s songs.

That evening, during their performance at the Neon Bison, Wolf and Gypsy surprised me by playing "Like the Way I Do" by Melissa Etheridge, dedicating the song to me. I was able to share this special moment with my mother via video, bringing a smile to her face. This was just one example of the genuine kindness and exceptional talent possessed by this band.

Catch The Wolf and Gypsy Band at their next live show, where they’ll play an acoustic set at The Brown Jug in Trivoli, IL, on Saturday, January 18th, at 7 p.m., and check out their new album Ride or Die on all streaming platforms.

Wolf sings his newest Christmas song, The Letter.

By: Whitney Turner

A graduate of Lake Forest College with degrees in English and Art, Whitney lived in Chicago for many years before returning to her hometown in 2017 to reconnect with Peoria’s vibrant music scene.

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