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.”
Founded by guitarist Jones in 1995, the Night Drivers feature four distinct personalities who bring a multitude of talents to each performance: Chris Jones who hosts Siriux XM’s Bluegrass Junction, bassist Jon Weisberger, who co-hosts Del McCoury’s SiriusXM show, Mark Stoffel on Mandolin, and Gina Clowes the group’s newest member Gina Clowes on banjo. Chris is a two- time IBMA Broadcaster of the Year. 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. 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.” In total, Chris and the band members have won 8 IBMA awards.
The band is led by Chris’ soulful lead-singing 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 very talented banjo player, and another contributor of original material, hails from Winchester, VA. As a young banjo player, Gina was a frequent finalist in the prestigious Galax banjo contest, and came to The Night Drivers after a long stint with the the popular West Virginia/Virgina band, “Bud’s Collective.”
Chris Jones – guitar, vocals; Gina Clowes – banjo; Mark Stoffel – mandolin, fiddle, vocals; Jon Weisberger – bass, vocals
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Prairie Sky
Artistry is, at best, difficult to define. Such is the case for the music of one of San Diego’s premier acoustic string bands, Prairie Sky. Indeed, with roots firmly in bluegrass, this group of seasoned artists borrows from all musical genres, playing and singing tunes from 60’s era rock, to 30’s and 40’s swing, old-time string music from Ireland and the Americas, with some great original material thrown into the mix as well.
With such diverse interests and an abundance of talent, Prairie Sky’s sets are inventive and entertaining, being constructed with thought and engagingly presented. Whatever and wherever – they play, Prairie Sky demonstrates strong yet tasteful instrumental prowess in guitar, mandolin and fiddle, with unusually clear and beautiful two, three and four-part harmonies.
All said, Prairie Sky is a rare delight, as their motives for performing are clearly for the love of the music, with its members’ mutual joy and shared affection emanating from the stage to warmly infect all who are lucky enough to hear them.
Avery Ellisman – vocals, fiddle, mandolin; Dwight Worden – vocals, bass; Jeff Smith – vocals, guitar; Ramona Ault – vocals, guitar
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Front Porch Music Preservation Society
This local bluegrass band made up of the finest and best-looking musicians in Southern California. FPMPS is a bluegrass band rich in traditional bluegrass music, however they also offer up some not so traditional bluegrass music.
Precision instrumentals mixed with great vocals and smooth harmony’s makes for a performance any audience will enjoy.
Jeremy Shelton – guitar, vocals; Corky Shelton – banjo; Greg Burrows – guitar, vocals; Scott Edwards – bass
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MohaviSoul
MohaviSoul is a highly talented, award-winning, and energetic band, specializing in Contemporary Bluegrass and Americana, with a mix of folk, blues, swing, and gospel. Featuring exciting solos and strong vocals, they bring foot-tapping music that lifts the spirit like you’ve never heard. From festival stages to live radio, clubs, parties, weddings & fairs, MohaviSoul performances consistently draw in audiences with their captivating and storied performances that span songs of the old west to the changes we are all living through in modern times. MohaviSoul wraps their upbeat original music and popular covers with instrumental prowess, vocal harmony, and unique arrangements. MohaviSoul is making many new friends and fans worldwide, so come join our musical family and enjoy our music from the soul. For more information about this Mannequin Vanity Recording artist, check their website or FaceBook page, and download their music on iTunes or Amazon.
Randy Hanson – mandolin, vocals; Mark Miller – guitar, vocals; Jason Weiss – banjo; Orion Boucher – bass; Dan Sankey – fiddle; Will Jaffe – dobro
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Chris Cerna & Bluegrass Republic
Chris Cerna & The Bluegrass Republic is an established bluegrass band based in Southern CA.
Formerly known as Lonesome Otis, and moving in a new direction in 2015 with new band mates. Chris Cerna desired to bring a new name to match the new sound in 2016. Chris Cerna and the Bluegrass Republic is a combination of new and experienced talent and with its ability to provide clean instrumentals and harmonies, is guaranteed to satisfy even the most critical of bluegrass music aficionados. A dedicated band that specializes in hard-driving, traditional bluegrass. Their set lists include traditional, gospel and original songs written by the band members themselves.
With God’s blessing and the support of all the friends and fans of LO, the band looks forward to many more years of playing one of the best forms of music in the world, Bluegrass!
Chris Cerna – mandolin, vocals; Celeste Cerna – Bass, vocals; David Dickey III – Guitar, vocals; Mark Cassidy – banjo, vocals
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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.”
Founded by guitarist Jones in 1995, the Night Drivers feature four distinct personalities who bring a multitude of talents to each performance: Chris Jones who hosts Siriux XM’s Bluegrass Junction, bassist Jon Weisberger, who co-hosts Del McCoury’s SiriusXM show, Mark Stoffel on Mandolin, and Gina Clowes the group’s newest member Gina Clowes on banjo. Chris is a two- time IBMA Broadcaster of the Year. 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. 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.” In total, Chris and the band members have won 8 IBMA awards.
The band is led by Chris’ soulful lead-singing 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 very talented banjo player, and another contributor of original material, hails from Winchester, VA. As a young banjo player, Gina was a frequent finalist in the prestigious Galax banjo contest, and came to The Night Drivers after a long stint with the the popular West Virginia/Virgina band, “Bud’s Collective.”
Chris Jones – guitar, vocals; Gina Clowes – banjo; Mark Stoffel – mandolin, fiddle, vocals; Jon Weisberger – bass, vocals
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