Chris Jones

Guitar
Bluegrass Week 2

Chris Jones is one of the most soulful musicians and singers in bluegrass and country music today. His powerful, original approach to traditional bluegrass, his uncompromising professionalism and his wonderful sense of humor all combine to build a strong bond with audiences around the world.

Chris' rich voice is rooted firmly in the Stanley bluegrass tradition, but with a warm, resonant country flavor, something Bluegrass Now magazine has called the "low lonesome sound."

Chris' strong rhythm and masterful lead guitar work is influenced by George Shuffler, Larry Sparks, Tony Rice and Ron Block. Chris is also considered one of bluegrass' premier songwriters. He has performed and/or recorded with artists across a broad musical spectrum, including The Chieftains, Vassar Clements, Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss, Tom T. Hall, Jimmy Martin, April Verch, Laurie Lewis and The Lynn Morris Band.

He's now performing and recording with his own group, the Chris Jones Coalition, receiving critical acclaim, chairt-making airplay and the enthusiasm of a growing fan base.

He has made TV appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Emiril Live, The Grand Ole Opry Live and others and has performed at some of the top venues and festivals in the country, including The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, New York's Lincoln Center and Chicago's Orchestra Hall. Chris has been recognized by his peers with numerous awards nominations, and he has consistently had songs in the top 10 of The National Bluegrass Survey.

He is also a daily on-air host of Sirius Satellite Radio's bluegrass channel. He has released 4 CDs with bluegrass' senior record label Rebel Records, 2 for Strictly Country Records in the Netherlands, and he's currently signed with Pete Anderson's Little Dog Records.

Following the success of his first album, Chris signed with bluegrass's senior label, Rebel Records. Since then, he has issued three acclaimed albums - No One But You (1997), Follow Your Heart (1998) and Just A Drifter (2000) and A Few Words (2002).

He attracts a "who's who" list of accompanists, including notables ranging from former bandmates Ron Block, Lynn Morris and Jesse Brock to IBMA award winners like Dan Tyminski, Rob Ickes, Mike Compton and Ron Stewart to up-and-coming talents such as fiddlers Luke Bulla and Casey Driessen, and even country legend - and co-writer (of A Few Words' "Nelson And The Mountains") - Tom T. Hall.