Hey, it’s been a very long while since this has been updated and a lot has happened. But the exciting news I have to share now is that I have a new band called Mighty Poplar with Andrew Marlin, Noam Pikelny, Alex Hargreaves and Greg Garrison. Punch Bros is still alive and kicking for anyone wondering, but not doing much this year. I couldn’t be more excited about Mighty Poplar - it’s the first chance I’ve had play in what I would consider to be an actual real bluegrass context since I was in the Infamous Stringdusters in the early years of that band. I left the ‘Dusters in 2007 so it’s been awhile! Anyway, MP made a record that I’m deeply proud of that will be out March 31, 2023 on Free Dirt Records and we’re going to be hitting the road a bit throughout the year. I’m really proud of Mighty Poplar and I hope you check it out and dig it!
I had the privilege of speaking to American Songwriter Magazine about Tony Rice. You can read the article below. Just last night I found my old minidisk player which has about 5 hours of Tony and I hanging out talking and listening to music in his basement from back in January of 2002. I was up until 6AM listening to them. I hadn't heard this stuff in probably 10 years. Certainly as a musician, that time I spent with Tony was some of the most important and transformational of my life. I feel incredibly lucky that he let me in and shared some of his wisdom. Although at that time I was a very serious and dedicated guitarist, Tony set a different example of music itself being worth dedicating one's life to. Like any other master in any other discipline, Tony set an example of what you can become and accomplish when you dedicate your life to something. I got a glimpse behind the curtain and what I saw was a man who had walked the walk. For 19 year-old me, this was powerfully inspiring to see and it changed the course of my life. That is why I say Tony will always be my biggest hero.
http://americansongwriter.com/2016/01/tony-rice-deep-truths/
Hello Friends,
Due to surgery resulting from a knee injury that I suffered last week, Julian Lage and I are canceling all of our duo tour dates through Cambridge, MA on May 10. I'm really disappointed to miss these shows, but we plan to be back as soon as my leg is healed and schedules allow! Julian will now be performing solo in Collinsville, Newtown and Cambridge, MA - existing tickets to these shows will be honored. Refunds will be given at point of purchase.
Sincerely,
Chris
Happy news on the CE front: my album with Julian Lage, Avalon, came out last week. We recorded it live at the Avalon Theater in Easton, MD with the amazing Kenneth Pattengale producing, engineering, and generally shepherding things forward. I quite like it and think that you will too. There are so many options for listening/downloading in these modern times. Pick your poison:
iTunes
Bandcamp (Bandcamp is cool because you can download full resolution audio files)
Physical Copies
Also, Jules and I are about to head down south for the second leg of our CD release tour. If you're in the area I hope you'll join us!
Cheers,
Chris
Hello friends,
I write today from beautiful Portland, OR. The sun is out and the sky is blue. You just can't beat Portland on a nice day.
BIG NEWS: Julian Lage and I have a new record, Avalon, that will be coming out October 7th. It was produced by our good friend Kenneth Pattengale, who you may know from his day job as one half of The Milk Carton Kids. The record is a mix of original instrumental music and songs (i.e. music with words) that we culled from the Great American Songbook. Bluegrass, spirituals, tin-pan alley, jazz, old country, it's all American and we love it all.
Our friends at The Bluegrass Situation have an exclusive on one of our instrumentals, "Steady Proof." Head on over to the Sitch and have a listen. And be sure to check in with our website, lageeldridge.com, where you'll be able to preorder Avalon in a couple of weeks.
Cheers!
Chris/Critter
Hi Folks,
Julian Lage and I have a show on October 2nd that is being postponed. But it's for a very happy reason: my father, Ben Eldridge, and his bandmates in the Original Seldom Scene are being inducted in the the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Fame. It's really a big honor and something that I can't miss! Julian and I will try to reschedule the date sometime next year. Keep your eyes here for updates. And congrats, Dad!
CE
Coming up in NYC this weekend, CE and Michael Daves will celebrate the music of The Stanley Brothers with two shows at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2. Songs to include lots of Gamblin', Cheatin', Cryin', Poisonin', The Good Lord, Mother, Dad, Cabins, Jails, Ghosts, etc. We're talking hardcore stuff here folks. For a preview, here's their take on "The Rambler's Blues," "She's More to Be Pitied," and "Nobody's Love is Like Mine."
Tickets are available here: Sat, Aug 9, Sun, Aug 10, or a two-night pass for both.
