Singer, songwriter, bandleader, Sirius/XM DJ, and – last but not least – Bluegrass Today humorist/writer, Chris Jones, started his annual Michigan tour at The Ark in Ann Arbor this past Thursday evening.
The Night Drivers band is a unique blend of talents.
Mark Stoffel has been the mandolin player for 15 years. He brings his own style to the band playing everything from hard driving bluegrass to big band to Broadway show tunes.
Marshall Wilburn is new to the band, but is a seasoned veteran of the music. He is a past IBMA Bass Player of the Year and an accomplished singer.
Grace Van’t Hof is the new banjo player. She also plays a steel stringed baritone ukulele on a few of the band’s new tunes. Grace is a Michigan native from the Holland area. She is also an award winning graphic designer and the current IBMA Graphic Designer of the Year.
Chris also has Michigan connections. His mother is from Kalamazoo.
Mark has a roundabout Michigan connection with a Gibson mandolin made in the original Gibson factory in Kalamazoo.
The band recently released a new project called Make Each Second Last, with songwriting contributions from each member.
The band completed its Michigan tour with additional stops on the western side of the state.
Chris Jones and the Night Drivers provide an entertaining show that is well worth seeing.
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