Get to know Chicken Wire Empire w/ Jordan Kroeger!
Get to know Chicken Wire Empire w/ Jordan Kroeger!
Midwest Bluegrass music group, Chicken Wire Empire, has made a name for themselves in the Upper Midwest Contemporary Bluegrass scene. Read about Bass player, Jordan Kroeger, as he talks about his life with the band and how music has played an important role in his career.
1. Where did the name 'Chicken Wire Empire" come from?
If you’ve ever seen the Blues Brothers, they play out at Uncle Bob’s… If you know the scene, you’ll get our name.
2. What was your first experience with music and how did it impact you in your career?
I’m sure all of us have a very different answer, but for me, there was a guitar class in school and everybody bought guitars… I bought a bass. Best move I ever made, I was in like 3 or 4 bands right away.
3. Who are your musical influences?
Outside of the Bluegrass heroes, we’ve been influenced by all the country and old-time music… The Beastie Boys were a huge influence on me. They just played everything from jazz to punk and I think it’s cool to be inclusive with music and have an open mind and ear.
4. Do you guys have any pre-show rituals to get you in the “performance” mindset?
Other than the traditional chicken sacrifice, we usually do a pre-show cluck just to make sure we’re all on the same page.
5. Is there a song of yours that you guys really resonate with or get emotional when playing?
I think much like the tide in the ocean it changes all the time for all of us. I think that’s part of why we always change our Setlist and don’t have a set set.
6. What is the most difficult thing about being in a band? What’s the easiest?
Let’s just say when it’s good, it’s great and when it’s bad it’s not so great.
7. What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
For me, in this bluegrass world, it was definitely playing with Peter Rowan at Boats & Bluegrass. He’s an original hero and a big inspiration. A close second would be playing with Jerry Douglas at Grey Fox. Two pillars of the acoustic music genre, and some of the kindest people on the planet.
8. What would be a dream collaboration for you?
Hard to say. We put out a record called Fresh Pickles during the pandemic, and it had most of our dream collaborations on it. Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas….
I think if Jeff Austin was alive, he would be a dream collaboration for me.
9. Do you have any advice for any aspiring musicians?
Take your time and play the music you like otherwise, you’ll be stuck in a musical world you don’t want to be in. If you follow your heart you can’t fail.
10. What’s the worst advice someone has ever given you when you guys were starting as musicians?
Play for money. It’s part of the business, but it can’t be the reason you get out of bed.
11. Was there ever a time when you thought about quitting music and pursuing a different career?
I’m sure everyone thinks about that in some way. Hell, a few of us have but we find our way back. Professional Bluegrass Musician is a labor of love, ya know?
12. What can fans expect from a live performance?
You can expect that we will be pushing our own boundaries. Expect some bluegrass and some new grass.
13. How did you know music was your calling?
Again, for me, music really cured a lot of anxiety and depression. It might have caused a little too, but really it’s just been a passion since the few first jams I was in. 