Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
return with an optimistic song that highlights their musical innovation
and sets the tone for where the band wants to go in its third decade.
“Bend in the Road,” written by band leader Chris Jones and bass player Jon Weisberger, hints at more to come from the chart-topping bluegrass band known for award-winning song writing. “Bend in the Road” symbolizes not knowing what comes next, but having eager anticipation for what the future might hold.
“I feel optimistic,” Jones says. “I think change is coming in different areas — for me and for the band.”
The song about building on the past and looking forward is an expression
of that optimism, something that’s not always present in traditional
bluegrass music. Musically, it highlights the playful trading of melodic
licks and cool runs by mandolinist Mark Stoffel and banjo player Gina Clowes, and showcases the group’s versatility and innovative bent.
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“I fight that nagging urge to turn around,” the song says, which is a line that particularly sticks out to Jones.
“It’s a good metaphor for going forward musically in life and fighting that urge to be safe and take the known, easy way,” Jones says.
Listen to “Bend in the Road” HERE.
About Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
Whether it’s in the studio or on stage, Chris Jones & The Night
Drivers are making some of the most distinctively elegant yet driving
music to be heard anywhere today, and they’re delivering it with a
unique blend of dry wit, emotional authenticity and broad humor that’s
won the loyalty of a growing number of fans across the country, from
MerleFest in North Carolina to California’s Huck Finn Jubilee, and
around the world.
Steve Martin referred to the Night Drivers as “. . . some of the best
players in bluegrass! Chris Jones’ voice is there with the great
masters.” Americana artist Jim Lauderdale said of Chris, “He continues
to have one of the most distinctive and best voices in music, period.”
The band is led by Chris’ soulful lead-singing, songwriting, and solid
rhythm and lead guitar. Chris boasts extensive performance credits as a
sideman with artists like Lynn Morris, Vassar Clements, Special
Consensus, Dave Evans, Earl Scruggs, and the acclaimed Irish band
The Chieftains. Mark Stoffel, who is originally from Munich, Germany,
has a mandolin style that perfectly fits the band sound with his
beautiful tone, taste, and rhythmic sense. Jon Weisberger, whose playing
has made him a sought-after fill-in bass player in Nashville with The
Del McCoury Band, the Roland White Band, Larry Cordle, and others,
anchors the band’s strong rhythmic foundation. Newest member, Gina
Clowes, a driving and innovative banjo player, and another contributor
of original material, hails from Front Royal, VA. Mountain Home
recently signed her as a solo artist as well, releasing her critically
acclaimed album, “True Colors.”
The band is also becoming known as a songwriter’s bluegrass band, with
Weisberger and Jones now co- writing many of the band’s current songs,
and all four members contributing material. Jon has had over 200 of his
songs recorded by various other artists as well, from The
Infamous Stringdusters to Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, including
numerous #1 songs. Chris and Jon are both IBMA award-winning
songwriters, Jon being the 2012 Songwriter of the Year, and Chris taking
home the trophy for the 2007 Song of the Year for “Fork in the Road.”
Altogether, members of Chris Jones & The Night Drivers have won nine
IBMA awards and have recorded ten #1 songs, including two from their
latest Mountain Home album “Made to Move.”
The Night Drivers also bring name recognition in related fields, as
bluegrass fans are well-familiar with Jones for his award-winning work
as a SiriusXM DJ, on both Bluegrass Junction and Willie’s
Roadhouse. Meanwhile, Jon Weisberger is heard weekly as co-host and
producer of Bluegrass Junction’s “Hand Picked with Del McCoury.”