Jak was welcomed into the family on December 4th as the fourth son of Arnold and Joyce Knudsen in El Paso, Texas. He was nine years old when his father decided to teach his five oldest boys to sing, and, as a youngster, handled some of the higher parts. Once Jak got a little older, his voice deepened and he became the bass of the group. When asked how he feels about being the “Bass Man,” he simply replied, “I like it.” Jak’s boundless energy, brotherly antics, and driving force of his fierce rhythmic bass have helped SIX provide great entertainment to thousands of audiences.
When not on stage, Jak enjoys spending time with his family, playing on the lake, and scuba diving. He also enjoys eating rib-eye steak and sushi, the color lime green, football, the movie “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” turtles, and is an avid car enthusiast. His favorite music to listen to is “anything you can dance to” and Luciano Pavarotti.
Prior to becoming a full time entertainer, Jak made his living in a variety of occupations. Some of those include: a psychology technician for individuals with special needs, a process server for an attorney, and a currier for a graphics company; none of which were nearly as fulfilling for Jak as a life on stage, especially when considering one of his favorite memories from being a performer:
SIX had traveled to Florida where they were putting on a free Gospel Music presentation at a local church building. A friend of Jak’s had told him that John Travolta would be in attendance. Jak felt his friend was just pulling his leg and didn’t believe him, so he was quite shocked when John Travolta and Kelly Preston walked in during their second number. The Travolta’s were also kind enough to stay and meet with the brothers after the presentation. Jak said that getting to meet and talk with them after “was very cool.”
Jak has enjoyed his career very much so far and has loved meeting several people who have had positive influences on him. One such individual offered him this advice when his was in his early twenties, and it has stuck with him as great advice to live by: “Be smart, and don’t do stupid things.”
Jak is married and has four children. He currently resides in Branson, Missouri.
