New Chris Jones compilation in September

Seeing news about our photo coverage of the Red, White and Bluegrass festival prompted a note from Chris Jones and the Night Drivers as they were headed to Morganton yesterday for their fourth consecutive year of teaching and performing at the fest.

They had two bits of news to share with out readers.

Chris has just finished tracking some new songs for a Rebel compilation project, working with his band in Ben Surrat’s Rec Room studio in Nashville. Veteran Nightdrivers bassist Jon Weisberger shared a few details.

“The collection encompasses previously-recorded favorites that featured distinguished pickers like Ron Stewart, David Talbot and Jesse Brock, as well as several songs from the current lineup’s Cloud Of Dust CD. It will also include new remakes of Tom T. and Dixie Hall’s Hero In Harlan and Chris’ Waltz Of Regret, along with a brand new song, Final Farewell, he and I wrote.

In addition to the Night Drivers, the new tracks feature fiddlers Jeremy Garrett and Megan Lynch, and harmony vocals from Pam Gadd, Darrin Vincent and Missy Werner.”

In addition to Jones on guitar and lead vocals, and Weisberger on bass, the Nightdrivers feature Ned Luberecki on banjo and Mark Stoffel on mandolin. Jon and Ned have been with Chris for nine years, and Mark for four. That may not sound like a particularly long time, but in the bluegrass world, it’s a marvel of constancy.

Chris and Ned are also both on-air personalities for Sirius-XM, broadcasting bluegrass 24/7 on their Bluegrass Junction channel.

Jon also mentioned that the band has recently signed with Roe Entertainment, the agency that represents stellar bluegrass talent like Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Lonesome River Band, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass and Dale Ann Bradley, and sent along some photos from their recent tracking sessions.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.