Episode 36 - Cris Jacobs - More Than Jams, Lots Of Lyrics & Less Chomping
What's The Reason For This Podcast · What's The Reason For This Podcast
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Show Notes
In this powerful and wide-ranging episode of What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi and Shay sit down with the King of Baltimore groove and grit—Cris Jacobs—for a conversation that’s as raw as it is redemptive. From the birth of his solo sound to sitting in with Billy Strings, this one’s got heart, soul, and a whole lotta six-string wisdom. 🎶💬
✨ Episode Highlights:
- 👧 The Story Behind “Daughter Daughter” – Cris opens up about being a girl dad in a world that’s changed, the emotional moment that sparked the song, and the weight of raising children through tragedy like Uvalde.
- 🌀 Castaway: Healing Through Songwriting – Cris reflects on his 4-track EP written in the fog of post-pandemic confusion. Recorded with Brad Cook, Matt McGaughan (Bon Iver), and more, it’s short, potent, and painfully honest.
- 🎸 Guitar First, Feelings Always – From The Bridge to solo songwriter, Cris breaks down how he blends blues, funk, and folk into something distinctly his own.
- 🧘♂️ Meditation & Mental Health on the Road – How TM, staying grounded at home, and being present with his kids helps him balance life and music.
- 🤝 Billy Strings & Renewal Magic – Cris recounts the tent-shaking set at Billy Strings' Renewal festival (you remember—Stevie Ray Vaughan hat and all), talks about their growing friendship, and how Billy, like Jerry Douglas, lifts up fellow musicians with integrity and generosity.
- 🧡 Backstage Camaraderie – Stories with the Infamous Stringdusters, Lindsay Lou, LeAnn Womack, and how Castaway became a who's-who of roots music royalty, thanks to Jerry Douglas dialing up legends like it was no big deal.
- 🎤 Little Feat, Solo Sets & Reading the Room – From rowdy crowds to pin-drop quiet theaters, Cris shares what it’s like to pour his soul out, night after night—sometimes alone, sometimes with a band, always authentic.
🎧 Whether you caught Cris shredding with Billy at Renewal, teared up to “Daughter Daughter,” or just found his music—this episode reminds us why songs matter. And why artists like Cris Jacobs are worth every listen.