In 2008, CJ won the prestigious ‘New Folk Songwriting Award’ at the Kerrville Folk Festival joining the ranks of past winners Steve Earl, Lyle Lovette, Lucinda Williams, Townes Van Zant and Nanci Griffith. He was invited back for a mainstage spot at the Kerrville Wine and Music Festival.

His songs have been recorded by James Otto (Mercury), Lisa Shaffer (Lyric Street), and others, airplay on NPR’s All Things Considered, the Rick and Bubba syndicated morning show and Car Talk.

As a recording artist, CJ had a Top 10 Indie single on Pristine Records. He was a frequent guest on WSM’s Opry Star Spotlight and has also performed on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree for radio audiences in the millions.

CJ is the author of several books, including “The Everything Songwriting Book” (Adams Media) about which American Songwriter Magazine said: “While no book can cover every aspect of songwriting, this one certainly comes the closest. This is a reference every songwriter should own.”

Other cool things CJ has done include being lead singer/lead guitarist/chief songwriter for the first Rock band to tour China, a cast member/scriptwriter/songwriter for public radio’s “Roadside Attraction”, host/emcee for the Miss Plus America Pageant and Keynote speaker for the 2005 Chicago Songwriter’s Conference. When on the road with his band, The Evertones, he gives seminars at colleges and NSAI workshops across the US.

Quotes:

“The best songwriter to come to Nashville in a decade”
~Bart Herbison, Exec. Dir., NSAI

“a true genius”
~ASCAP VP Ralph Murphy

“an amazing guitar virtuoso”
~Ken Renales, CEO, Cubbyhole Records

“A brilliant writer”
~Shake Magazine

“That mother*****r can sing the Blues!”
~Bonnie Bramlett