Author Archives: CanJoe*John

About CanJoe*John

CanJoe*John began making and marketing the authentic 'canjoe' instruments from their origin. Introduced to them by their creator, Herschel R. Brown, in the early 1990s, John, from the beginning, helped Herschel manufacture them in Herschel's shop. John relocated back to his home state of TN in 1993 and continued, initially with Herschel's direct assistance, to make and market them, establishing the licensed sole proprietorship, the CanJoe Company, in 1994. As a professional musician CanJoe*John became billed as the "world's most unique musician, playing the world's most unique musical instrument, the canjoe" (aka, canjo). Always with his own personal canjoe instrument in hand he was awarded the adult "2007 Male Bluegrass Instrumentalist of the Year" by the North American Country Music Association International (NACMAI), and now having the distinction of being the first and only canjoe picker to ever perform on the Grand Ole Opry, has literally taken the one-stringed thing to the outer limits! CanJoe*John is a master craftsman and artist who designs, creates and crafts these instruments as custom works of musical fine art for those who respect and require the best of the best, truly genuine, original one-stringed musical instruments. He can be reached via email at canjoe@canjoe.com, or by phone at 423-612-4320.

Back to Work!

Folks, it’s been a long time that has passed since the last post on this site… the official website of the CanJoe Company, as well as posts about CanJoe*John, and more, has sat idle with nothing updated in a long … Continue reading

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Craftsmanship

“You don’t have to preach honesty to men with creative purpose. Let a human being throw energies of his soul into the making of something, and the instinct of workmanship will take care of his honesty… A genuine craftsman will … Continue reading

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Star Spangled Banner

The UNC-TV public broadcast television station of Chapel Hill, NC did a detailed video documentary of NC native, and originator of the genuine, one-stringed “Can-Joe“ musical instrument, Herschel R. Brown (deceased) several years ago, before he passed away. The documentary … Continue reading

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Unicorns, Roses, Pink and Purple

A few weeks before Christmas 2018, a teacher from the state of Colorado contacted CanJoe*John via a phone call to inquire about how to order an instrument for her granddaughter. After a brief explanation describing that each instrument created at … Continue reading

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Cat & Rose

Two young ladies from the “Tar Heel” state of NC, twin sisters as “tweens” with totally different personalities, were the surprised recipients of their very own custom created musical works of art as Christmas 2018 gifts from their grandparents. The … Continue reading

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The Diddly-Jo

In the spring of 2018 CanJoe*John received a phone call one day from a young man, named Kyle, who had recently purchased a one-stringed “diddly bow” from a popular internet based on line supplier/store that makes and sells cigar box … Continue reading

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The “Wolf-Jo”

In early 2018, CanJoe*John, the founder and proprietor of the original CanJoe Company, est. 1994, of Blountville, TN was contacted from a man named Rob, who raises wolves. Now, this individual is not just the “guy next door” who chooses … Continue reading

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The “Bella-Jo”

A couple of years ago, in the fall of 2015, three young brothers and their mother flew from the state of Alaska to NE Tennessee in order to personally visit the workshop of CanJoe*John located in the town of Blountville. … Continue reading

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Photo Samples of Recent Instruments/2017

When Herschel R. Brown began creating the cool one-stringed instruments, he had no idea that they would ever become so popular that literally hundreds, and even thousands, of folks across America and around the world would eventually jump on the … Continue reading

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In The News

It’s interesting how the truth always rises to the top. Over a year and a half ago, two separate unassociated private emails were received a few days apart by the sole proprietor and founder of the CanJoe Company (established 1994) … Continue reading

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