Beloved Bluegrass Singer Dies at 67: Jeanie Poling, a beloved singer and longtime force in San Francisco’s bluegrass community, has died at 67 after a three-year battle with two rare forms of cancer. Poling died on August 26, 2026, at UCSF Health Stanyan Hospital, leaving behind more than four decades of music, community work and memories shared with generations of Bay Area musicians.
For many fans, Poling was much more than a performer. She was a familiar face at local jams, festivals, farmers markets and street fairs, often appearing alongside her husband, Chuck Poling. Even while undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she continued singing and playing music whenever she could. Her determination became part of the story of her final years.
Jeanie Poling Built a Life Around Bluegrass
Poling was born Jean Ann Alperton on January 23, 1959, in Amityville, New York. She picked up the guitar when she was 12 and eventually moved west, settling in San Francisco after studying at Syracuse University and San Francisco State University.
Her musical partnership with Chuck began in the early 1980s. The couple first connected through the San Francisco Folk Music Club, where Poling was already known for her singing. They married in 1983 and went on to build both a family and a musical life together.
Their act, Jeanie and Chuck’s Country Roundup, became a familiar name in the local bluegrass scene. They performed traditional bluegrass and country music while also bringing their own humor and personality to shows.
The pair remained active for roughly 42 years, becoming deeply connected to the musicians and venues that shaped San Francisco’s acoustic music community.
Her Voice Made Her Stand Out
Poling was known for a powerful voice that could command a room without needing elaborate production. Her musical range also went well beyond traditional bluegrass.
She performed country, folk, rockabilly, R&B, pop and even show tunes. Her versatility made her a sought-after musician at community events, festivals and informal jam sessions.
She also played guitar and banjo and later took up upright bass for Chickwagon Junction. The group became known for its open format, allowing musicians to sign up and perform songs with the band.
Poling’s enormous knowledge of songs became almost legendary among people who played with her. Friends recalled that she could remember thousands of songs and perform them in different keys, making her an invaluable presence at jams and rehearsals.
| Detail | Jeanie Poling |
|---|---|
| Born | January 23, 1959 |
| Died | August 26, 2026 |
| Age | 67 |
She Kept Performing During Her Cancer Battle
Poling was diagnosed with cancer in January 2023. She eventually retired from her job with the San Francisco Planning Department, but she did not walk away from music.
She underwent surgery and chemotherapy while continuing to perform with Chuck. The couple kept appearing at farmers markets, street fairs and other community events, refusing to let the illness completely separate Poling from the activity she loved most.
In July 2026, she played upright bass one final time with Chickwagon Junction during a reunion at the Redwood Ramble. She also sang a duet of “Gone, Gone, Gone” by the Everly Brothers.
That final performance has taken on special meaning for musicians who knew her. It showed the same commitment that had defined Poling’s career: even as her health declined, she remained determined to be part of the music.
Her Greatest Legacy Was the Community She Built
Poling’s influence reached far beyond her own performances. Along with Chuck, she helped create spaces where newer musicians could find their first opportunity to perform.
The couple hosted the Bluegrass Country Jam at the Plough and Stars for about 20 years. They also organized the Bluegrass Pickin’ Picnic in Golden Gate Park and Free Range Fridays, a showcase that gave local performers a place to develop their skills.
Several musicians have credited Poling and Chuck with helping them become more confident performers. Their events were not simply concerts. They were gathering places where experienced musicians could meet newcomers and where people who might otherwise never have stepped onto a stage could try.
That community-building work became one of the strongest parts of Poling’s legacy. Her contribution was measured not only in the songs she sang but also in the musicians she encouraged.
San Francisco Music Scene Mourns a Beloved Figure
Poling never became a mainstream celebrity, but within San Francisco’s bluegrass world, her absence will be deeply felt. She attended Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for years and remained closely connected to the local festival and folk-music community.
Her death also comes just weeks before the 2026 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park. For people who knew her, the upcoming gathering will be difficult without seeing Poling somewhere in the crowd, on a stage or beside a group of musicians with her guitar nearby.
She leaves behind her husband, Chuck, their children and grandchildren, along with countless musicians and friends who experienced her warmth, humor and unmistakable voice.
Jeanie Poling spent more than 40 years proving that a musician’s impact is not always measured by chart positions or national fame. Sometimes it is measured by the people who found their courage because you invited them onto the stage, the songs that kept a room together and the community that continues making music after you are gone.
FAQ
Who was Jeanie Poling?
Jeanie Poling was a San Francisco-based bluegrass singer and multi-instrumentalist who performed for more than four decades, most notably with her husband, Chuck Poling.
How old was Jeanie Poling when she died?
Jeanie Poling was 67 years old when she died on August 26, 2026.
What was Jeanie Poling known for?
Poling was known for her powerful singing voice, knowledge of traditional music and work building San Francisco’s bluegrass community through performances, jams, festivals and showcases.