About Us
Gypsy Wind is Florida's premiere acoustic newgrasss, swing and gypsy jazz ensemble. Like gypsies traveling on the wind, this versatile band's sound carries its listeners across borders and through time. A musical journey from the Kentucky bluegrass of Bill Monroe to the gypsy swing of Django Reinhardt.
Gypsy Wind has shared the playbill with such bluegrass greats as The Rice Brothers, Tim & Molliy O'Brien, Mark Johnson, The Waybacks, The Greencards and the John Cowan Band. They have opened for the legendary Norman Blake, Del McCoury, Dan Hicks and performed live with fiddle virtuoso Vassar Clements at the Florida Folk Festival.
Gypsy Wind's unique style and fine musicianship has captivated audiences everywhere from Key West up to the home of bluegrass in Kentucky, and all over the Southeastern US. The band’s diverse sound and energetic performances make them the ideal group for any occasion; festivals, special events, radio appearances and private/corporate parties.
Past Performances and Venues
- Florida Folk Festival
- Pennington Folk Festival; Princeton, KY
- Folk Frolic; Charlotte, NC
- Bluegrass & Bar-B-Q; Islamarada, FL Keys
- Multicultural Festival; West Palm Beach, FL
- Arty Gras Art & Music Festival; West Palm, FL
- Riverhawk Festival; Brooksville, FL
- String Break Festival; Brooksville, FL
- American Heroes Tribute; Key Largo, FL
- Florida State Fair
- Seminole Bluegrass Festival
- Dunedin Bluegrass Festival
- Dali Museum Surrealism Series
- Largo Cultural Center Concert Series
- Langford Park Music Series; Orlando, FL
- Gypsy Wind Bios
- Michael Godwin
- Kristen Oliphant
- Rob Williams
Gypsy Wind Bios
Please click on the tabs above for individual band member bios....
Michael Godwin
Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Vocals
Michael's musical roots were seeded by his father, Walter. He began playing banjo at age 13 and continued to study a wide range of musical instruments. Today, Michael teaches and performs various instruments including guitar, bass, mandolin and the low brass family. Throughout high school, he played with local string bands, school ensembles and toured with the Suncoast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. During college he performed with Mr. John Fadis and the Bob Hope Show Band. Michael and Billy Sandlin, a guest performer on the Gypsy Wind CD, played with Bill Monroe at his final show in Tarpon Springs, Florida. His pursuit of a musical career has also enabled him to participate as an opening performer for bands including Crosby, Stills, & Nash, the Pat Metheny Group, Little Feat and Jefferson Starship. Michael and Gypsy Wind had the pleasure to accompany the legendary violinist, Vassar Clements, at the 2001 Florida Folk Festival. Today he shares his talents with a host of regional bands and teaches music locally.
Kristen Oliphant
Flute, Guitar, Vocals
Kristen began playing the flute at age ten and continued her musical training in high school and college. Her exposure to music at a young age paved the way for the formation of their family band, "Grass with Class," and later their album, Friends, as well as other rewarding projects. The influence of David Grisman and the "Dawg" movement opened the door for Kristen to explore another realm of her musicianship. Her vocal influences include Emmylou Harris, Claire Lynch, Nancy Griffith and Shawn Colvin.
Rob Williams
Bass, Vocals
Rob first started playing the bass at the age of 14 when his grandmother bought him a bass and lessons for his birthday. Rob's earliest musical influence came from his grandfather, who was a self-taught musician; playing everything from the tuba and trumpet to the ukulele & guitar. Rob has fond childhood memories of his grandfather playing Reveille as the raised the flag at their lake house in rural Ohio. Though Rob was influenced greatly by the "jam band" scene in the 1990's, country music has always been a part of his life. While attending the University of Colorado, Rob became more interested in Bluegrass and Newgrass as influenced by the acoustic music scene in the Rocky Mountain area. Living in Cincinnati, Ohio post graduation, he purcased a 1940's Kay Bass and started spending more time in Bluegrass circles. His interest in Bluegrass flourished when Rob began discovering acts such as The Del McCoury Band, Newgrass Revival, as well as the traditional sounds of Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs. Rob continues to be influenced by all types of music from Django Reinhardt to Jerry Garcia, Talking Heads to Tony Rice, and Beck to Bob Dylan among many others.
