Growing up in Cook County in the 1990s, Joshua J. Schmidt found his calling at age 10 when he first picked up a guitar. Today, he is living a lifelong dream as a nationally acclaimed singer and songwriter.
Josh lives in the Twin Cities but said, “The Northshore will always be home to me.” He still visits family on the North Shore, and once or twice a year he plays his music for the home crowd. “I love to stay in touch with Grand Marais,” he said.
Events like Radio Waves, the annual music festival sponsored by local radio station WTIP, draw Josh “home” to perform whenever he can. He has a special place in his heart for WTIP. “When I was in high school, I was a DJ at WTIP when the studio was in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts,” Josh said.
Josh and his younger brother Cobi, a nation-ally known artist too, are self-taught musicians. The long winters of Cook County were the times they spent learning and practicing their art. Josh acknowledges several mentors from the local music scene back then, including Bump Blomberg, Donnie Bauer, Michael Monroe, and John Gruber.
“There were four bands in Cook County High School when I was a student,” Josh said. “It was pre-social media, so we had lots of time to dream big.”
Josh finished his senior year of high school at the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden
Valley. He went on to Augsburg College to major in Business Administration with a focus on the music industry.
As a proud Twin Cities music scene member, Josh regularly plays more than 150 acoustic shows each year. In addition, he’s the frontman for the bands Step Rockets and Cryote.
Step Rockets performed as the warm-up for the rock band Bon Jovi last year at the Xcel Energy Center.
Josh is married to Kimberly Schmidt, a Master Stylist working at Juut Salonspa in Edina. They have two children, Lennon (4) and Marley (20 months).
“We are creating the life we wanted,” Josh said.
Like every family, the Schmidts have had their share of ups and downs. But despite the struggles, Josh confidently said, “We made lemonade out of the lemons.”
Josh bills himself as a composer, producer, and singer-songwriter. Near the end of his fourth decade, the music entrepreneur he is, he focuses on music writing and production for movies, television, and other performers.
Working in the music industry for two decades, Josh has seen the corrosive effect that arises from the land sharks, vultures, and con artists who sap the life out of artists. He’s better for having seen it.
Josh credits Robert Bly, the late author of the book “Iron John” and founder of the Minnesota Men’s Conference, for inspiring him to live a life of character, depth, and consequence.
“I see music as a way to process emotions,” Josh said. “I hope to be a model for my kids and for self-expression.”
“I appreciate all my support in Cook County,” Josh said. “Don’t forget about me.”
You can learn more about Josh’s work, listen to some great music at www.joshuajschmidt.
