[1] Originally from outside of Moscow, Idaho, he grew up directly next door to folk artist Josh Ritter.

His first band after moving to Seattle was the retro western swing six piece band called Six String Eric and his Lazy Ranch Hands who performed along the West Coast opening for such acts as The Lucky Stars, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Wanda Jackson and Dave Stuckey.

Kardong is also active as an audio engineer working with such artists as Betsy Olson, Widower and The Wakefields.

Son Volt,[5] Jeffrey Foucault, Matt Costa,[6] Sera Cahoone,[1] Grand Archives, Anna Coogan, Carissa's Wierd, The Beautiful Confusion, Massy Ferguson, The Souvenirs, Ole Tinder, The Wakefields Band of Horses ,[7] Son Volt,[8] Matt Costa,[6] and Grand Archives.

Recently he appeared on the song "If You've Lost Someone" by Three Ninjas Kardong plays a Rittenberry as well as a Carter steel guitar.