Chris Jones & Night Drivers

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Chris is one of those treasures in bluegrass; a writer, singer and musician who respects the past, while gently bringing his own style and vision to the music Bluegrass Unlimited. Chris Jones is no newcomer to the musical spotlight. His resume includes appearances and recordings with some of the world's most respected musicians including The Chieftains (he was featured on their 2003 U.S. tour), Earl Scruggs, Vassar Clements, Lynn Morris Band, April Verch Band, the McCarters and the award-winning quartet Weary Hearts, among others. He has performed as a sideman at the Grand Ole Opry. Though he's best known as a bluegrass artist, Chris Jones has always had a field of vision too wide to be contained within a single dimension. Perhaps that's been shaped by his voice low and mournful rather than sharp and soaring or perhaps by the way he's felt compelled to write so many of the songs he sings, filling them with a heartfelt intimacy and contemporary depth that's still rare in the genre. Even when he's been most firmly planted within the bluegrass mainstream, these qualities have made him stand out from his peers and have garnered him critical notices for his personal musical style and sound. Chris Jones has been named Broadcaster Of The Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association's annual awards for his work as a DJ on Sirius Satellite Radio's bluegrass channel. Jones also took home a co-writer's Song Of The Year trophy for "Fork In The Road," the title track of an Album Of The Year winner by the Infamous Stringdusters. The double-barrelled achievement marked the first time in the organization's history that a single person has won honors for both musical and non-musical accomplishments. Ned Luberecki's banjo playing combines crisp, hard-driving timing with a fluid melodic sense to stand out in a crowded field. When not working with the Night Drivers, Ned can often be heard playing with Jerry Salley, Jim Hurst, The Lonesome Heirs and others. Like Chris, Ned hosts a daily show on Sirius Satellite Radio's Bluegrass channel. A member of the Night Drivers since the beginning of 2003, Jon Weisberger is a quadruple bluegrass threat as bass player, songwriter, radio producer and journalist. His "Losing Again," recorded by the Chapmans, was among the most popular songs of 2001; and his songs have subsequently been recorded by Del McCoury, Blue Highway, Jim Van Cleve, Dwight McCall and others. Since 2006, Jon has produced "Into The Blue," the most widely syndicated bluegrass radio show in North America, and Sirius satellite radio's "Hand-Picked" with Del McCoury. Aaron Till, fiddle player, caught the bluegrass bug from a friend in high school. In 1995 he moved to Nashville, taking a job at Opryland where he could venture out at night to places like the Station Inn and hear world-class musicians like Randy Howard and Stuart Duncan. Till found inspiration in the next-level skill of the players. After absorbing as much knowlege as his head could hold, he took a job with Mark Ches-nutt in 1998. During his 13 years in Nashville, Till performed or recorded with greats including Jerry Reed, Tanya Tucker, Mel McDaniel, Pam Tillis, Gail Davies, Dave Evans, Joe Diffie, J.D.Crowe, Vassar Clements, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Ralph Stanley, Ernie Ashworth, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs, Matthew Ryan, Tom T. Hall, Annie Sellick, Pat Burgeson, Tommy Emmanuel, Jon Jorgenson, Wade Hayes, Richard Smith, Randy Kohrs, Jim Lauderdale, and several others. No small feat. Mark Stoffel, originally from Germany, now calls his home Southern Illinois where, in 1991, he won the Illinois State Fiddle Championship. Since 1989, Mark has also performed as part of Shady Mix. Fans enjoy the spontaneity of Shady Mix shows, which are often broken up by "stump the band" request sessions, or Mark's silly antics on the mandolin.

All photos © 2009 by Don Shorock