If you own a copy of "Pearls in the Snow, The Songs of Kinky Friedman", then you've heard the multi-talented, Grammy-nominated, Jonathan Yudkin. He's the one playing that fabulous fiddle on Tom Waits' rendition of "Highway Cafe". Jonathan also contributed the twin fiddles on "Silver Eagle Express", performed by Kinky and The Texas Jewboys, as well as the incredible violin solo on Billy Swan's version of "When The Lord Closes the Door". Jonathan not only made a major contribution to "Pearls", he also led the house band at the Lone Star Cafe in New York...way back when a Kinky little cowboy we all know was performing there on a regular basis.

In 1991 Jonathan Yudkin was possessed by two nearly uncontrollable urges; the first was to write distinctly "uncountry" music, and the other was to throttle someone... anyone. As a musical outlet, and to avoid doing hard time, he formed the Chainsmoking Altarboys. The Alterboys' sound has been described as "Joe Jackson meets Frank Zappa." They blend articulate lyrics that range from socially relevant to the sublimely absurd, with guitar-driven instrumentation laced with everything from jazz violin to gutbucket blues. Jonathan's recording and touring credits include those with Leon Russell, Robert Earl Keen, Neil Diamond, Guy Clark, and the late, great, Tammy Wynette.