Christopher Jon was born in 1954, the youngest of three children, in Blairsburg, Iowa. That was a time when only two channels came in on the television, so they frequently gathered as a family and watched the Lawrence Welk show - the predecessor to today's Star Search!

When CJ was seven years old, his dad taught him a few chords on the ukulele and Chris was hooked! Entering a local talent contest led to his first television appearance - the famous Bill Riley Show booked CJ!

Playing baritone horn and guitar under the direction of William Hayes, CJ's love of music kept him in the band room during most of his teen years. Crash Factory was the name of CJ's first band, formed with childhood friends and the infamous Johnny Radial, who still occasionally performs with CJ.


At the tender age of 17, CJ played his first gig at The Roof Garden in Arnolds Park. "It was every musician's dream to play there - even Lawrence Welk played there!" Through the 70's, CJ played across the state with his bands - from the Sunshine Band in Fort Dodge to Windrift and Chris & The Slicks in Waterloo. CJ started recording in 1979 and has continued recording to this day! He's even performed on the big screen - the movie Arnolds Park features CJ as the ukulele player on the Beach
Christopher Jon