Music the bond for father, son performers

There is no mistaking the father-son bond between musicians Christopher and Christian James Krager.

From their charming smiles to their matching tattoos, down to their identical black-and-white Chuck Taylor All Stars, the pair can say more to each other with a glance than they can during an hourlong interview.

“We’re tight, in music and in our relationship,” C.J. said. “We always know what the other is thinking.”

Chris explains that the shared closeness is supported by a strong family and what he calls a unique “musical heritage.”

“The family DNA connection is strong ... Put that into a musical context on the same stage and it’s pretty cool,” Chris said.

“We talk more musically than vocally.”

The musical legacy that the pair is living began with Chris Krager’s father and his father before him. The long line of musicians set the course for generations to come by sharing their passion and talent for creating music.

“I remember as a kid sleeping backstage in my dad’s acoustic guitar case,” Chris said, laughing.

According to C.J., “One of my earliest memories was hanging around with dad’s band, the Stuttering Hutterites. All the kids [of band members] were hanging around at gigs.

“I don’t remember life without music. I’m really thankful for that.”

C.J. is currently a full-time musician, touring and performing as the lead guitarist with the Copper Mountain Band. At only 22, he has earned a Master Certificate in guitar from the Berklee College of Music.

Chris plays bass (both electric and upright) with the Mike Murray Duo and rock band The Left Ready, but his full-time work is as executive director of the Samaritan House in Kalispell. Chris said he loves the path his life has taken, but loves even more to watch as C.J.’s path unfolds.

“My dad would say, ‘Gigging is great and all, but you need a plan B,’” Chris said. “But with C.J., I told him to pick plan A then mash that pedal to the floor.”

Chris said he wasn’t surprised that music became C.J’s “plan A,” and admitted that his love of playing probably had something to do with that choice.

“Our house was an environment where instruments were just laying around all the time,” Chris said. “Even as a kid, C.J. could just crawl up to a guitar and start playing with it.”

C.J.’s first onstage appearance was as an infant when Chris was performing with Rob Quist and the Great Northern. According to Chris, Quist was excited to hold up C.J. and introduce him to the audience as the next up-and-coming musician in the Flathead.

Just a few years later, C.J. joined his father onstage “playing” an acoustic guitar. C.J. was quick to point out that the guitar wasn’t plugged into anything that first time, but the high of live performance took hold regardless.

He was hooked.

Chris began teaching C.J. to play bass first at a very early age. The pair bonded not only through playing but through what they were listening to as well.

“I really enjoyed learning about individual musicians [rather than bands], but I went through phases,” Chris said. “Growing up I went through phases listening to James Brown, Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac...”

C.J.’s list of influences is nearly identical, with a few notable additions that include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix.

“He was learning [to play] Hendrix at 11,” Chris said. “I think that’s when I knew it was for real.”

C.J. said the early musical education from his father was invaluable. He said he especially appreciated the background in the blues that Chris had provided.

Chris said the early years were easy, but that it wasn’t long before “we had to get him into lessons because he was surpassing what I could teach.”

As C.J. worked toward his college degree, he said his biggest struggle was with his jazz class.

“It was hard for him, but would’ve been impossible for me,” Chris said. “He’d ask me a question [from jazz class] and I’d be like, ‘You’re on your own, dude!’”

As C.J. grew up, he frequently played live shows with his father and a variety of other bands and lineups. He said he was thankful for that time and experience together, particularly now that their musical careers are headed in different directions.

Chris agreed. “I feel like it is an amazing blessing. I feel so blessed.”

The pair still collaborate together, most recently on The Left Ready’s second EP, “Ghost.” C.J. plays live shows with the band as his schedule allows, and Chris has been known to hop onstage with the Copper Mountain Band from time to time as well.

Some of their favorite shared memories are from gigs they’ve played together over the years.

“One of my favorite memories ... We were playing at the Raven and everything was popping, just really coming together,” Chris recalled. “Then some guy spilled an entire pitcher of beer all over the dance floor. People were sliding all over the place and dancing and having a good time, and so we just kept playing. That was pretty cool.”

C.J. remembered that “once we stopped playing in the middle of a song and broke up a fight. That was crazy.”

Chris explained that the two don’t make a habit of getting into fights, but in that particular case Chris’ wife and C.J.’s mother, Cary, was in the crowd and they wanted to keep her out of harm’s way.

Chris said he didn’t hesitate to get involved to protect his family then, and knew C.J. had his back no matter what happened.

The family ties run deep for the Kragers, and Chris emphasized how important the support from Cary has been for himself, C.J. and his younger sister Ruth (also a musician).

C.J. agreed, but highlighted the value of Chris’ support for the rest of the family as well.

“He’s always been very supportive,” C.J. said. “His presence is very obvious, both on stage and off.”

“As a bass player, my job in the band is to offer support; to be the foundation,” Chris said. “Which is like fatherhood. [C.J.] can step out on stage and know the foundation is solid.

“As a father if I can lay that foundation, he can reach for higher, bigger things.”

Entertainment editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.