Connie was the first child born to Iver and Olga (Ronnei) Johnstad in 1925. Brothers Rev. Rolfe and Dr. Rev. Ronald are fine vocalists and members of the renowned Norsemen Quartet. Formed at Luther College the group includes Rev. Richard Sansgaard and Ronald Klipping. Sisters Lorraine, Donna and Randvig have always been active musicians in church choirs and other venues. Connie has been blessed with 8 children. Jodelle, Sheryl, Steven, Terry, Mindy, Dusty, Jason and David. Sons Steven and Jason are both accomplished musicians. At present Conrad has 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
The Johnstad home was ever filled with music. Olga and Iver both sang well. Iver, a barber, also led the popular Idlewild Orchestra as violinist and trumpeter for 50 years, playing hundreds of weddings and social dances. Connie played with this band throughout his early school years. He tells the story of how he as a young lad hitchhiked 35 miles to hear Louis Armstrong. Underage and aware he could not gain admittance, he took the arm of a couple and breezed through the doors of the ballroom. Standing by the bandstand for an hour caught the eye of Louis, who then leaned over to help Connie to the bandstand, directing him to sit next to the drummer Sid Catlett. He remained there spellbound for the rest of the performance. Thanks to dancers from his area and running 7 miles, he arrived home safely at dawn. Parents and siblings were unaware of his escapade for several weeks.
Connie enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943, serving as a trumpeter in the Marine Corps Band. This duty introduced him to the famous Dick Jurgens. They became good friends and Connie later performed some with the band. Then on September 15, 1944, as a rifleman replacement with the 1st Marine Division, he hit the beach on Peleliu. ‘Nuff Said’.
Some troubled years follwed with goals not fully met: a baseball career--centerfielder for the New Richmond Millers (Wis. State Champs), then the Chicago Cubs minor league camp. In the footsteps of his father, Connie became a master barber and continued pursuit of his music career in the Twin Cities area as vocalist with Dick Marone’s Velvetones and others (WCCO, Anglessey Cafe, Belmont Club, etc).
Milwaukee beckoned and he was featured on the syndicated WTMJ Tommy Sheridan Show (former Welk pianist). Playing trumpet with several groups--Johnny Davis, Skip Berg, Richard Overton and others--led to a position with the Frankie Charles Quartet. This band with drummer Don Kurz and bassist Merrill Surges was a top draw in Milwaukee in its time. (Frankie later served as Milwaukee Brewers Organist for several years and is performing in Florida) Blue Mondays usually found Connie on North 3rd Street jamming with “soul” brothers--Jimmy Duncan, Everett Clark and Jabbo Smith. (That’s a story!!) The Bill Otten Velvetones at the Holiday House was the next gig. This band had a fine society sound with sidemen Ray Payne, Johnny Gordon, Bobby Kocen and Dave Kennedy.
When the Chez Paree in Chicago closed, the Holiday House in Milwaukee became the icon of Midwest entertainment as they booked famous acts that were backed by the Conrad Johns Orchestra. Star-studded shows featuring great singers like Johnny Desmond, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Peggy King, Della Reese, Julius LaRosa, Billy Williams, Don Cornell were the norm.
In 1962 fine tenorman Ben Baldwin (Baldewicz) took over the band as Connie and his family moved to the Eau Claire area. Following a stint as a choir director, he joined the George Day Quartet, later establishing his own band. Conrad continues to praise the talents of the many good musicians and wonderful friends.
Now, it’s a new era for the Conrad Johns Band. Very young, talented players excited to be working with this aged performer. He too, is excited that his old, old and older music has found favor with a new generation playing many different venues such as dances, shows, church and gospel services. Hallelujah!
“TO DAUGHTER SHERYL ANNE JAASTAD, CREATOR OF THIS WEB SITE, THANK YOU” Conrad
