Chris Jones | |
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Born | Brooklyn, New York |
Genres | Bluegrass music |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Labels | Mountain Home, Rebel |
Associated acts | Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, Weary Hearts, Special Consensus |
Website | chrisjonesgrass |
Chris Jones is an American bluegrass singer, guitarist, songwriter, and broadcaster. Singing in a barritone voice, he fronts the Night Drivers.
Jones started out in Brooklyn, New York, where his mother was a singer and actress. His uncle played Scruggs-style and clawhammer banjo. 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.
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.
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).
Jones has performed with the Chieftains,Vassar Clements, Tom T. Hall, and Earl Scruggs.
Jones writes a weekly column for the website Bluegrass Today.
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.
He has also appeared in the PBS series “The Appalachians” as a both a performer and commentator.
Jones’s compositions have been recorded by the Gibson Brothers, the Infamous Stringdusters, the Chapmans, and Lou Reid.
International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards received:
Jones and his wife Sally Jones live in Alberta.