He was born in Illinois and attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
[1] His association with Fast Folk Musical Magazine in New York's Greenwich Village led to his song, "Long Black Wall", being included in a Smithsonian Folkways CD celebrating twenty years of Fast Folk.
He has collaborated with several musicians including Bob Warren, Tony Markellis, and Teresina Huxtable and recorded and produced albums for Lorne Clarke, Mike Quick, Huxtable, Christensen & Hood, Mark Tolstrup and Mallory O'Donnell.
Jerling resides in Saratoga Springs, New York, and has close ties to the historic Caffe Lena.
He continues to perform his original songs on six and 12 string guitar, mandolin and harmonica.