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.

“No Plaudits, No Cigars”

When the phone rings at the CanJoe Company, there are often some amazing offers, opportunities, and ‘cannections’ waiting on the other end. On a rather gloomy winter Sunday afternoon back in about the year 2002, one such call was received … Continue reading

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17 ‘CANTASTIC’ Years!

The CanJoe Company of Blountville, TN began in 1994 as the first ever licensed business, anywhere, to offer on any commercial market the one-stringed musical instrument made from a “string, a stick, and a can”, of the instrument design historically … Continue reading

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“Why Reinvent the Wheel?”

Herschel R. Brown would be delighted to see what his one stringed musical instrument design and creation, the “canjoe”, has become. Herschel is the indisputable sole creator of the original basic design of the first ever unique one stringed instruments, … Continue reading

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‘Canmissioned’ ONLY!

The CanJoe Company was established in the year 1994 and pioneered the crafting of and introduced the commercial availability of these cool one-stringed instruments. Over the many years of producing first quality products and due much experience with learning what … Continue reading

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‘Thanks’ from CanJoe*John

When Herschel Brown created his first one-stringed musical instrument over 20 years ago, and that he also named as “canjoe”, he made it from a 1″ x 1″ straight stick of relatively unaltered pine wood. He initially nailed the can … Continue reading

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No Where Else But HERE!

I have been receiving many phone calls and email messages from people around the country who start out their communication or conversation with “I saw your instruments at a craft fair, or at a mall in Gatlinburg, or at ‘Dollywood’, … Continue reading

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“No Joke”

The CanJoe Company, a sole proprietorship founded, owned and operated exclusively by craftsman, luthier, musician and performing artist, CanJoe*John of Blountville, TN, began in 1994, debuting to the public and introducing to the world commercial market the cool one-stringed musical … Continue reading

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“A genuine craftsman will not adulterate his product. The reason isn’t because duty says he shouldn’t, but because passion says he couldn’t.” ~ Walter Lippmann CanJoe*John’s “Debut on the Grand Ole Opry”: A partner, spouse, friend or relative can lowest … Continue reading

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“Uncanny Christmas”

This video was produced and designed a couple of years ago by my, then, 10 year old friend, Lauren, who took photos from my photo albums, interjected a few she found elsewhere, then took the recorded tune, “Jingle Cans” from … Continue reading

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How to Order Guidelines

Each and every CanJoe Company instrument is hand crafted (made) specifically to order. Except for the new ‘Kanjo Kits’ products, these instruments are not pre-made and sitting on a shelf, ready to ship products. When anyone is ordering canjoe instrument(s), … Continue reading

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