During most of the 1970's, I was a traveling musician, playing original country music in a band called Cayenne. While touring to promote our album, I discovered a small custom meat shop in Missoula, Montana. The owner-operators, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, made the best-looking beef jerky I'd ever seen.

While standing in front of the display case, I knew it would taste far better than any beef jerky around, and it did not disappoint! I was struck with the idea of marketing the beef jerky and my music together, like Jimmy Dean and his sausage. It was then and there that Ajay's Montana Bananas Gourmet Beef Jerky was conceived.

Almost 2 years later, after selling a few hundred pounds of beef jerky to friends in between tours, I left Cayenne and flew back to Missoula. I bought the recipe, secured a manufacturer near Sacramento, California, and placed my first store on August 2, 1979.

Now over 40 years later, we are proud to still be sling’n the same great recipe, with the addition of teriyaki and extra hot, as well as a beef stick and thin slab style cut. We believe in quality and that is what you get with our jerky. Thank you to all our loyal customers who have made the dream come true and now this family business such a success. Cheers to many more years to come!