John Paul Von Arx will perform a special concert at Christ the King Seminary Aug. 3. (Courtesy of Jean O'Brien)

Up and coming Christian-country musician John Paul Von Arx will come to East Aurora for a special concert at Christ the King Seminary on Aug. 3. Guests will be able to enjoy the picnic atmosphere as Von Arx performs songs from his recently released album.

Hailing from Rockford, Ill., Von Arx started playing guitar at age 11. He has played in secular country bands for two years before touring with The Thirsting, a Catholic band from Portland, Ore. He now writes songs about everyday life with a Divine perspective.

Prayer has been as important to him as his music. He grew up in a Catholic family as one of nine siblings. His father encouraged the kids to form a personal prayer life, independent of what the family did. Von Arx began praying the rosary on his own in fifth grade, saying he found consolation in prayer.

"I felt the Lord was pleased with me," he said in an interview on the Franciscan University of Steubenville's website.

He's a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, where he earned a degree in catechetics. He frequently performs on campus.

Jean O'Brien, who organized the concert, hopes Von Arx will become a regular feature at CKS.

"This time we're going to let him play what he wants to play. He'll probably mix it up," she said. "We're looking for a second concert between Christmas and Lent where he would come and do a Eucharistic praise and worship event at the seminary. Hopefully that would be a big draw for some young people who are exposed to him over the summer."

She would like to have him play two concerts a year, a fun show in the summer and a Eucharistic worship event in fall or winter.

The concert starts at 7 p.m., tickets are $10 per person or $25 per family. No refreshments will be sold, so families are encouraged to bring snacks, non-alcoholic drinks and chairs for themselves.