Americana Highways brings you this video premiere of Chris Jones & the Night Drivers’ song “Riding the Chief.” The song was co-written with Thomm Jutz, and was recorded, mixed and mastered by Scott Barnett at Crossroads Studios in Arden, NC.
“Riding the Chief” is Chris Jones on guitar and vocals; Mark Stoffel on mandolins and harmony vocals; Grace van’t Hof on banjo, baritone ukulele, accordion, and harmony vocals; Marshall Wilborn on bass and harmony vocals; David Johnson on fiddle; and Tony Creasman on drums.
The video was filmed by Bob Peck of Mountainwater Films and Ty Gilpin of Mountain Home Music Company. “Riding the Chief” is easy, carefree, warm weather music and a great storytellers’ song by Chris Jones & the Night Drivers. Turn it on and lay back in your hammock.
“Riding the Chief” is an autobiographical song about the train I used to ride at least once a year when I was in my teens between Chicago and Albuquerque where my dad’s side of the family lived. Originally the Santa Fe Superchief, the train route is still operated by Amtrak as the Southwest Chief. The idea and the western swing feel that came with it popped into my head years ago, but thanks to co-writer Thomm Jutz (who loves a true story) we finally turned it into a song. It was the first song I wrote after the start of the pandemic, while most of us were quarantined, a time when riding a train through the Southwest was more appealing than ever. This video captures our first ever recording of lead baritone uke, played by new band member Grace van’t Hof. — Chris Jones
Order and listen here: https://clg.lnk.to/CJrtc-s