Chris Jones & The Night Drivers's Latest Album, THE CHOOSING ROAD, Available Now

As the world of Bluegrass continues to evolve, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers have taken advantage of the creative environment that keeps the tenets of tradition next to those of individual expression. The result is The Choosing Road, an album of refined dynamics, themes informed by personal growth and some of the most intimate songwriting to date. The album is available now from Mountain Home Music Company.

Jones and his bandmates and co-writers, Jon Weisberger on bass and vocals, Mark Stoffel on mandolin and vocals, and Gina Furtado on banjo and vocals, have found a sweet spot in their collaboration on this recording.

"I decided this time around to open up more with my writing, be a little more free and personal, and worry less about how songs would be perceived by different audiences, or how they'd be classified," Jonessays. "A lot seemed to flow from there, and that in turn led the band members to come up with some fresh musical ideas as well. The result I think was music that's more distinctly 'us' than it's ever been."

"Bend in the Road," written by Jones and Weisberger, was this album's first single. Released in the Spring of 2018, the song raced to the top of the Bluegrass radio charts to land the #1 spot multiple months in a row. It sets the album's tone and speaks to the band's evolution with themes of change and progression and a sense of not being completely optimistic but hopeful and thoughtful. Two songs in particular share a personal message: "I'll Watch Her Sail" written by Jones and "Who You Want Me To Be," written by Jones and Furtado. The latter gained #1 success in radio in 2018. These works give poignant examples of their writers' need to be honest about how intimate relationships affect us.

The group's latest single, "Looking For The Bridge" is another composition about hopefulness in "bridging" strained relationships. "I'd say I've become a more melody-driven writer," adds Jones. "I like the melody to be able to stand on its own, even if there were no lyrics. In the case of 'Looking For the Bridge,' almost all the melody and the little signature lick came before any of the lyrics did. That's a first for me.Jon and I collaborated on the lyrics, and it's really about looking for some way to get back over a divide of time to get a romance back to how it was."

Other songs include, "Nyhan's Regret," an instrumental offering written by Stoffeland Furtado that features renowned Celtic fiddler Liz Carroll; and "I Shouldn't Even Be Here," which Weisberger calls a "quintessential Chris Jones song."

Weisberger comments on his writing partner's work on The Choosing Road saying, "With every album that we make, one song sticks the most in my mind - and even though I write a lot for the band, it's usually one of Chris's solo writes that turns out to be my favorite. Here it's 'I Shouldn't Even Be Here,'" says Weisberger. "It offers a thoughtful look at an unusual story, delivered with a memorable melody and a fresh way of combining just a handful of simple chords to produce a lasting effect."

Of all the paths they could go down with this new recording this one reflects struggle, freedom, and commentary on today's culture through meaningful songwriting and collaborative expression. On The Choosing Road, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers are visited by a new muse for a new era.

Listen to The Choosing 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 Furtado, 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.

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