Karin McLaughlin: Ok so hanging out with Cris Jacobs after his set at the Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival
Cris Jacobs: Hey hey!
KM: That was pretty intense with the rain, that was really a good one!
CJ: Yeah that was really cool, it was like a 30 second downpour
KM: Heavy, heavy. So you also recently played Delfest, now Kingman Island, where do you go after this?
CJ: Well, we’re going home tonight. And then next week, we’ve got some cool shows. We’ve got a concert series in Abingdon, VA and Charlotte, NC and then we’re going out west and doing High Sierra and then we’ve got a bunch of shows around that. We’ll be doing Hot August in Baltimore at the end of the summer. Got a couple Bridge shows next week – the 8x10.
KM: You’re all over it. And you’re from Charm City –
CJ: Yes!
KM: Any idea why they call it Charm City?
CJ: Because it’s charming (laughs) you know what, I don’t know the origin of that.
KM: Because, present company excluded, they aren’t toooooo….
CJ: No, Baltimore gets a bad rap
KM: What’s your favorite venue to play in Baltimore?
CJ: 8x10
KM: That’s a good one
CJ: I have probably played that venue more than anybody on the planet. Honestly, throughout the years and all the different venues.
KM: Yeah, it’s like a sweatbox in there
CJ: They have the AC cranking in there these days. In the old days, you know you could smoke in there.
KM: You also mentioned the Dead – did you say that you saw them here in ’94?
CJ: Yes.
KM: How old were you in ’94?
CJ: I was 16
KM: So this was not with parents?
CJ: Actually, this was with parents because my parents were huge Deadheads and my parents have been going to see the Dead since 1968.
KM: Nice! So here at RFK.
CJ: Everywhere but yeah that was my first show and they, you know, my parents have been leaving me and my sister with a sitter for long weekends all throughout our childhood for three nights at Madison Square Garden (laughs)
KM: Yup, I have friends that are doing that (now)
CJ: So finally, it was ‘hey can you guys get me a ticket this time around?’
KM: And then it was all clicking ‘Oh, that’s what they’ve been doing all this time!’
CJ: Oh yeah, absolutely! It clicked right away.
KM: How much would you say the Dead influences your music?
CJ: Oh it influenced my whole….
KM: Life? (laughs)
CJ: Yeah, it influenced my whole jumping off point into a different world and that’s when I really got inspired to play the guitar. To perform and write music for people – it was that show, here at RFK, it was my first ‘a-ha moment’ like ‘I wanna do THAT’ so I guess you could say that it’s influenced me quite a bit.
KM: So, what was that – a cigar box with strings attached to it?
CJ: Yeah.
KM: Did you build that?
CJ: No, I know a guy out in Oregon that makes them and he’s built me a couple. Yeah, it’s a cigar box guitar, it’s pretty wicked.
KM: That’s awesome – like the old school washboard and jug.
CJ: Yeah it’s cool.
KM: So, you’re playing Hot August (Music Festival), what else are you excited about in 2018? Maybe not even playing a show, maybe going to one. Are you teaming up with anyone you’re really excited about?
CJ: Well, we just opened for Willie Nelson and Sturgill Simpson at The Anthem.
KM: What is that tour called?
CJ: Well, they’re doing the Outlaw Music Festival but we did just a show at The Anthem with just them.
KM: Sturgill is good.
CJ: Yeah he is
KM: And Willie obviously
CJ: And Willie. But yeah we’re excited. Finishing up our album, got a new album in the works and putting out an album in September that I worked with Ivan Neville on
KM: Oh, nice, I caught him, I think at Jazz Fest recently.
CJ: Yeah, you probably did! He’s all over the place. When were you down there?
KM: I was down the first weekend of Jazz Fest.
CJ: Oh, I just missed you – I was down there Monday of the week between.
KM: Monday is something else in New Orleans, Bourbon St is a sad, sad sight (laughs)
CJ: Yeah, I don’t even go to Bourbon Street anymore
KM: So, my token question – what’s on the musical bucket list? Either seeing someone at a certain venue, playing with someone, write a song with someone, anything.
CJ: Hmm, good question. There’s a lot of people I’d like to write songs with. I’d love to write a song with Chris Stapleton or Jason Isbell but I’d love to play with some members of The Grateful Dead one day before it’s all over. I haven’t gotten to experience that one yet, but I feel like it could happen soon.
KM: Yeah, why not?! Well thank you so much for the time. We’ll see you at Hot August or somewhere in between.
CJ: Awesome, thank you!
Audio Recordings
Audio Recordings
Audio Recordings
Enjoy audio and livestream recordings of their Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival performance recorded by our collaborator Will Urquhart.
Videos
Videos
Videos
Cris Jacobs and his band, The Bridge, are doing three nights in a row at the 8x10 on June 21, 22, and 23. Tickets are still available but running very low, so make sure to buy them now if you want to go!
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