Chris Jones (bluegrass)

Chris Jones is an American bluegrass singer, guitarist, songwriter, and broadcaster. Singing in a barritone voice, he fronts the Night Drivers.

For the late singer/songwriter Chris Jones from Reno, Nevada, see Chris Jones (singer-songwriter).
Chris Jones
BornBrooklyn, New York
GenresBluegrass music
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
LabelsMountain Home, Rebel
Associated actsChris Jones and the Night Drivers, Weary Hearts, Special Consensus
Websitechrisjonesgrass.com

Biography

Jones started out in Brooklyn, New York, where his mother was a singer and actress. His uncle played Scruggs-style and clawhammer banjo.[1] But Jones's interest in bluegrass was sparked when he lived in Albuquerque with his father and stepmother, who listened to country and bluegrass. Jones took up guitar at age 12 or 13.[2]

When Jones was age 18 and back in New York, he joined Horse Country as lead singer and guitarist, led by banjoist Bob Mavian. After four years with Chicago's the Special Consensus, Jones played with Whetstone Run, the Lynn Morris Band, the McCarters, and Dave Evans.[3]

Jones moved to Nashville in 1989 as a member of the band Weary Hearts, which included Ron Block, Mike Bub, and the late Butch Baldassari. He formed Chris Jones & The Night Drivers in 1995, and they've been recording and touring ever since. Current members are Jones, Jon Weisberger (bass), Mark Stoffel (mandolin), and Gina Clowes (banjo).[4]

Jones has performed with the Chieftains,[5] Vassar Clements, Tom T. Hall, and Earl Scruggs.

Writing and broadcasting

Jones writes a weekly column for the website Bluegrass Today.[6]

Jones has been a broadcaster for SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction for more than 15 years. He also hosts the classic bluegrass show "Truegrass." Ned Luberecki and Jon Weisberger are also broadcasters.[7]

He has also appeared in the PBS series “The Appalachians” as a both a performer and commentator.[8]

Songwriting

Jones’s compositions have been recorded by the Gibson Brothers, the Infamous Stringdusters, the Chapmans, and Lou Reid.[9]

Awards

International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards received:[10][11]

  • 2005: Album Of The Year (for his role in the Larry Sparks album 40)
  • 2007: Song Of The Year (co-writer of "Fork In The Road" by the Infamous Stringdusters)
  • 2007: Broadcaster Of The Year
  • 2014 Print Media Person Of The Year for his writing at Bluegrass Today
  • 2014: Best Graphic Design for Lonely Comes Easy (with designer Lou Everhart and Rebel Records)
  • 2014: Broadcaster Of The Year

Personal life

Jones and his wife Sally Jones live in Alberta.

Discography

Solo albums
  • 1995: Blinded by the Rose (Strictly Country)
  • 1998: Follow Your Heart (Rebel)[12]
  • 2000: Just A Drifter (Rebel)
  • 2006: Too Far Down the Road (Little Dog)

Compilations
  • 2002: A Few Words: The Best Of The Originals (Rebel)

Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
  • 1997: No One But You (Rebel)
  • 2009: Cloud of Dust (GSM)[13]
  • 2013: Lonely Comes Easy (Rebel)[14]
  • 2014: Live At The Old Feed Store (GSM)[15]
  • 2015: Run Away Tonight (Mountain Home)[16]
  • 2017: Made To Move (Mountain Home)[17]

As a member of The Special Consensus
  • 1983: Blue Northerns (Acoustic Revival)

As a member of Weary Hearts

Also appears on
  • 1980: Tom MacKenzie - Finally Tuned (Rooster)
  • 1995: Cornerstone - Lonesome Town (Folk Era) - vocals
  • 1995: Lynn Morris - Mama's Hand (Rounder) - guitar
  • 2005: Larry Sparks - 40 (Rebel) - vocals on track 14, "It's Too Late To Walk The Floor"
  • 2008: Sierra Hull - Secrets (Rounder) - vocals on track 11, "Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder"
  • 2010: Special Consensus - 35 (Compass)
  • 2012: Special Consensus - Scratch Gravel Road (Compass)
  • 2016: Kristin Scott Benson - Stringworks (Mountain Home) - vocals

Music instruction
  • 1993: The Traditional Bluegrass Songbook book, CD (Musicians Workshop) ISBN 978-1584961246
  • 1999: The Bluegrass Wordbook with Chris Jones book, CD (Musicians Workshop) ISBN 978-1584960874
  • 2002: The Art of Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar with Chris Jones DVD (Musicians Workshop)
  • 2003: Learn the Art of Bluegrass Guitar streaming video (Musicians Workshop)
  • 2004: Bluegrass Guitar Solos with Chris Jones DVD (Musicians Workshop)

References
  1. Wilson, Brian (November 18, 2013). "Chris Jones and the Night Drivers: The Next Generation of Bluegrass Comes to Southern Illinois". Carbondale Rocks. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  2. Penn, Casey L. (May 1, 2015). "Chris Jones (& the Night Drivers)". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  3. Bonfiglo, Jeremy D. (March 30, 2017). "Chris Jones & The Night Drivers were 'Made To Move'". Herald-Palladium. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  4. Hoffard, Vince (February 18, 2016). "Chart-topping Chris Jones and the Night Drivers take stage at Old Feed Store". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  5. Suzanne Weiss. "The Chieftains". CultureVulture. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  6. "Author: Chris Jones". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  7. Amburgey, Rick (November 8, 2015). "Chris Jones and the Night Drivers Celebrate 20 Years, New CD". No Depression. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  8. staff writer (Jul 19, 2013). "Bluegrass series features dual honoree Chris Jones". The Missoulian. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  9. Ledgin, Stephanie P. (2004). Homegrown Music: Discovering Bluegrass (1 ed.). Greenwood Publishing Group. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  10. uncredited (October 11, 2007). "Bluegrass' Biggest Night Showers Awards on BMI Affiliates". BMI. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  11. "Recipient History". IBMA. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  12. Brinkman, Mark. "Chris Jones: Follow Your Heart". Country Standard Time. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  13. "Chris Jones, Cloud of Dust, and playing air-bass". Fervor Coulee- roots music opinion. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  14. Lupton, John (October 23, 2013). "Chris Jones & The Night Drivers: Lonely Comes Easy". Sing Out!. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  15. Hudson, Mark (February 5, 2015). "Review: Chris Jones & The Night Drivers - Live At The Old Feed Store". Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  16. Hackett, Vernell (August 21, 2015). "Chris Jones & the Night Drivers: Run Away Tonight". Elmore Magazine. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  17. Frometa, RJ (March 15, 2017). "CD Review: Made to Move by Chris Jones &The Night Drivers". Vents Magazine. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
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