How Mandolin 'Genius' Will Spend $500,000

Musical bluegrass prodigy Chris Thile of "Punch Brothers" talks about mistaking the MacArthur "Genius" grant caller for a hit man, his big grant purchase, and composing music for the "Hunger Games," Bonus: hear him play an early composition.
Subscribe to the WSJ Live KZbin Channel - kzbin.info_c...
More WSJLive KZbin: / wsj
Facebook: / wsjlive
Twitter: / wsjvideo
WSJ: www.wsj.com
Don’t miss a WSJ video, subscribe here: bit.ly/14Q81Xy
More from the Wall Street Journal:
Visit WSJ.com: www.wsj.com
Visit the WSJ Video Center: wsj.com/video
On Facebook: / videos
On Twitter: / wsj
On Snapchat: on.wsj.com/2ratjSM

[@emjayscafe]

As a musician, it's frustrating to see this great video of an amazing treasure describing his experience and being so enthralled in what he's saying...and then the end of the video where Chis plays the mandolin...the vehicle which brought us all here to watch this video in the first place is a edit/sync hack job....

[@ejRecording]

well put, couldnt believe they did that, i wanted to see him play

[@hannahferrell7534]

I've seen this man perform live more times than anyone else, and if you ever get a chance go see him play. He is pure talent, whether playing with the Punch Brothers (a group full of fantastic musicians), Nickel Creek (again, gifted) with Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan Yo Yo Ma, sometimes he's best by himself (his Bach is incredible). He is pure creativity. Weird as hell though. One odd duck, but an amazing musician.

[@GumbyGoons]

Most geniuses are eccentric like this. And he is certainly a musical genius. Watching him talk makes me like him more.

[@rolen47]

Really annoying how the left and right audio are swapped.

[@Tom-zy6ke]

I just turned my headphones round..........

[@Siralantoon]

Chris is at the top of the tree when it comes to talent, dedication, and sincerity. I'm beginning to lose count of how many amazing people I have seen and heard for the first time on youtube. My thanks to them. It's impossible not to respect Chris as a musician; but I have found it to be impossible not to like the guy too! Long may he prosper.

[@btlnckr]

Yep it'll be the Loar!!! Just to think I stunned him when I asked for his autograph at MerleFest when he was 13!

[@matthewweaver5610]

Merle Fest next week! Live in Boone, NC

[@edadpops1709]

what a creative guy awesome .all good things to you guy.

[@TBabbUltimate]

I was somewhere in the first few rows to see him play with Edgar Meyer back 4 years ago. That was one of the coolest nights of my life. Got to meet them and got a picture with them after the show. Surprisingly few people stuck around to greet them and get their album signed, so it was super easy.

[@whiteguard56]

This deserved a much smarter and better interviewer.

[@notinponce]

What's the first tweet?

[@calvinanderson6603]

I think she asked great questions

[@jakehoward8025]

The song he plays at the end is entitled Jessamyn's Reel, which is off his album Deceiver!

[@charlesbolton8471]

That Deceiver album is one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@mikefoster5663]

Thanks.

[@6stringwood]

I have listened to Nickel Creek many times...but I never really listened to Chris until now...WOW! what an amazing acheivement. It is truly refreshing to see such a great talent get what he deserves....and Chris certainly deserves that award, and also the Gibson mandolin of his dreams. It's too bad that television doesn't host performers like this to show the world REAL musicianship...instead of wasteful air time on things like Honey Boo Boo. I wish nothing but the best for Chris. Great job!

[@Nummer1Ahteest]

Cool! Good for you Samantha! Sounds like you are a true music lover... as am I. In fact, since I wrote that silly comment 2 months ago, I have been giving (THIS style of), Chris' music some "room in my heart" and am really starting to like it. So I take back that remark and would now be glad to pay full price for ANY seat in the house to hear him "rock" but, (in my humble opinion)... Bluegrass still rules. ;-) Thanks for sharing your experience... seriously. Nummer1Ahteest

[@chaisson21]

So what mandolin is he lusting after? He already owns one Loar...but I can't imagine any other instrument that would be out of Thile's reach at this point, besides another, rarer, Loar.

[@SandyHookFalseFlagOP]

this guy is a genius, I really enjoy his mind and music

[@ammamaw10]

Love this guy. Love his playing. x

[@joebobjrjr]

Saw him with Nickel Creek a few years back. I'm so happy to see him receive such an honor. Truly an amazing performer.

[@michaelvail2863]

The last song he plays on mandolin is "Jessamyn's Reel", from Deceiver.

[@dominicofmontrealfan7852]

Wow I watched this interview with head phones on and it sounds like they are actually in the room lol cool

[@cormacsmall9442]

Well, they ARE in a room...

[@sgbsammy]

he is a master of masters

[@dlc1119]

So, after some time, does anybody know a)what that mandolin was and b) did he get it?

[@SoulLove-mu3sf]

What a beautiful soul

[@Fakeaorta]

I used to watch these kids play bluegrass at "That Pizza Place" in Carlsbad Ca. in the late 80's. I keep thinking that Chris Thile might have been one of the kids.

[@CustomColoring]

That was him!

[@greysonj]

Come on WSJ. Not only is the audio flipped, but the b-roll of him playing THE song, probably the most important element of this video, was nowhere close to the actual performance. Very amateur.

[@RagtimeAnnie]

No...That's just how GOOD he really IS ! The notes leave his instrument 3/4 of a second before he actually strikes the string ! Only a TRUE GENIUS can do THAT !

[@Stickykeys2010]

Wait really? Is this confirmed? OMG!! I'd be so stoked for him!

[@mandoluva]

I'm a big fan of Thile, and he deserves many accolades. While I admire his irrepresible whimsy,I'm looking forward to when he reaches his peak of musical maturity

[@Eric_In_SF]

Her question about his authenticity, was asked in such an amazingly poignant way. I didn’t even care what the answer was.

[@Hj4a]

Oh Chris. His voice always makes me just stop and listen. It's out of this world, really. Like I want to hold my breath just to hear him sing.

[@johnstanton4560]

I love how terrible their editing is for "the best" shots, completely mismatched audio with his actions. You posted this vid Wallstreet so take the criticism in stride, you knew who this would appeal to.

[@jasonbaas8381]

Good morning, Brother at the first of the show can you explain the shaking my friend? I have a similar condition. It is called schizophrenia. I hope you get better and don't have those. Either way, please, if you have time will you explain the condition? Thank you in advance. Sincerely, Jason Ps. I admit, you have incredible talent!

[@torso2009]

To think that this man ever couldn't have the mandolin he wanted! Well deserved indeed.

[@schmoesby]

aaah thank you so much

[@dragknuckle]

He will keep making records until it is all gone.

[@atmaloney7889]

anyone know what song he was playing at the end?

[@wassholm]

What's up with the ending? Why edit it so that not a single frame of video matches the music being heard?

[@millsmillsmillstube]

Is it the Loar that he's been playing on or a different one?

[@searoper]

I agree completely

[@bradhunt275]

Has to be a Loar and good ones are currently 175-200K but the prices seem to be coming down a little but Loar never built any mandolins. He was the audio guy and he was signing these things in 23' and 24' basically saying this was good one...and he got it right, they are that good. BTW any builder would give this guy a mandolin just to have him play their mandolin and the bragging rights of saying Chris Thile plays MY mandolin that i built and I can build you one just like it. He is arguably the best mandolin player of all time and justclimbed on Mr. Monroe's legacy and took off and no disrespect to David Grisman. Mike Marshall or any others. Hope he gets the Loar.

[@Simon_Said]

He did get a Loar not long after this video was filmed in 2012. The example he found was one of the best in the world, having been barely played since new. Worth watching some videos about it here.

[@BardofCornwall]

A worthy recipient indeed.

[@mandoaaron]

He says it in the video.. or at least "there is a mandolin that I really really want.."

[@aaronchasemusic]

the right and left audio channels are backwards!!!

[@JasonRobinsonidaho]

+Aaron Chase hush with your accurate technical analysis. this is youtube. nothing quality is ever on youtube. /sarcasm

[@DeanRadcliffe]

+Aaron Chase Thanks for diagnosing that my headphone plugs were switched - it sounded fine to me !

[@diallobanksmusic]

Aaron Chase... maybe your headphones are on upside down

[@mistertaterbug]

Bold statement, that. Now calm down, take a breath and start again.

[@davemoore8843]

anybody know what song he is playing at the very end?

[@toddster8793]

Jessamyn's Reel

[@goatlovesllama]

I paid money for a second row seat in May and it was the best money I've spent in a long time. I would have paid triple what I did, and it still would've been worth it.

[@gjw701]

Check out Escaping Pavement

[@emjayscafe]

It's just laziness. Unfortunate, because this truly could have been a brilliant piece. Glad I wasn't the only one ;) Cheers!

[@aidanvansuetendael4948]

It's pretty rude to sum up a "bluegrass upbringing" to "moonshine" and "appa-laysha".....

[@wsmc14]

Aidan VanSuetendael Yea anyone who pronounces our area as "Appa-laysha" loses all credibility with me!

[@davehshs651]

+Roon Mc (Revised comment) Everyone who lives in the area of Shelbyville, Tenn., pronounces the town SHEB-uh-vul. I seriously doubt that Revolutionary War hero Isaac Shelby, for whom the town is named, pronounced his name SHEB-uh. But the occupants of a town or region get to choose how it's pronounced, just as a person gets to choose how his or her name is pronounced. I completely understand your identifying "outsiders" by their pronunciation of the word Appalachia, but it's sad that you automatically assume that anyone not from Appu-LATCH-uh has no credibility (and probably can't be trusted).

[@aidanvansuetendael4948]

+davehshs It's different. The changing name of this town sounds like a colloquial change of pronunciation over time. Appalachia's correct pronunciation should be app-uh-LATCH-uh, since the mountain range was named after the Apalachee Indians (ap-uh-LATCH-ee). I don't think +Roon Mc was saying they can't be trusted- I just think that you can't trust anyone who says "appalaysha" to have any knowledge about the area at all!

[@davehshs651]

Aidan VanSuetendael Thanks for the input. Even though I grew up in Tennessee, I didn't know the origin of the word Appalachia. And you're probably right about what Roon Mc was saying.

[@mjt11860]

does anyone know what song he & his band r playing @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="227">3:47</a>?

[@pugggs]

Dead Leaves on the Dirty Ground - The White Stripes

[@mjt11860]

pugggs thank u very much!

[@schmoesby]

the piece at the end is beautiful. anyone know what it is?

[@JabezGill]

Samuel Graf took me five years to stumble across your comment (and this video) but if you are still wondering the song he is playing is called “Jessamyn’s Reel” from his 2004 Album “Deceiver.”

[@michaelthornton8000]

Did WSJ air this piece in this form, with a totally out of sync soundtrack at the end? I realize MSM hasn't been real worried about accuracy lately, but this takes it to a "whole n'ther level."

[@michaeldilorenzo6263]

"With the world being as diffuse as it is right now...what it's like to be alive right now is a very...ambiguous thing." Good times, huh.

[@acadianflatpicker]

It's probably that money he bought his Lloyd loar with hehehe.....

[@popoaggie]

Serge Comeau I just bought a Lord Loyd mandolin. Is it worth anything?

[@johnnycmajor]

no

[@acadianflatpicker]

If its a Gibson from 1920's with Loyd Loar signature in it. Get it checked out. If real worth a 1/4 million. Could also be a fake.

[@gabelogan56]

I just bought a mandolin from Lloyd Christmas... is that worth anything?

[@popoaggie]

Ones made by Loyd Benson are usually worth more.

[@johnnytable9217]

How did he get 500.000 ?

[@hastyman]

I find it somewhat hilarious and ironic that you are having this conversation with Mike Compton.

[@wupeide]

Free your mind. Their is no Chris Thile style of music. He plays many different styles and dominates them all. Have you heard his bluegrass album, made with his guitar player (don't remember his name)? Have you heard him play Josh Ritter's Another new world (the black and white version that is floating around youtube)? Have you heard him play Bach? If you hated Britney Spears, I could understand. But not liking him says more about you than it does about him

[@TheBibleWitness]

Actually, it's Michael Daves.

[@akiwayneukonmaanahoa1590]

Andrew Morse said it best somewhere earlier in this thread. I have nothing to add.

[@donhendershot9705]

Well - answer the question! What did he do with the $500k?

[@jw_bird]

Really? Quotation marks around genius? Bluegrass musicians are all moonshiners? "Genius song"?

[@NicoleEquerme]

+jackbirdmusic Haha! Right?! I was first "exposed" to bluegrass in a Twistee Treat (soft serve ice cream stand) parking lot in Ocoee Florida. HARDLY moonshine, or the Appalachians for that matter... ha!

[@jw_bird]

First time I ever played bluegrass was in a tiny living room in a nice New Jersey suburb. The stuff's universal

[@chiar0scur0]

+jackbirdmusic Genius is in quotes because the MacArthur award is informally called the "Genius" Award.

[@popoaggie]

Thile plays quite a bit of Bach, too. Hardly moonshine music or hillbilly stuff.

[@ammamaw10]

basically - who cares what you think?! And who cares what he looks like? His talent is pure magic.

[@robertshorthill6836]

Chris, as you well know, we have another youngster in our midst by the bluegrass name of Wyatt Ellis who is hot on your heels to carry on the Bill Monroe legacy with mandolin. 😊

[@austenrobinson2747]

Thile is way beyond Wyatt. Not dissing the kid but Thile is a complete musician. His skill level is far beyond anyone I have ever heard play that instrument. Chris was smoking veteran players when he was 10. You just don’t see musicians of Chris”s caliber often.

[@funkyMonk1985]

why are the voices hard panned left and right ? true stereo interview ? lol

[@mikemcginn4232]

SO BAD at the end when the audio/video is just totally different, c'mon

[@Nummer1Ahteest]

Ah! Now my mind is free. What does your comment say about you oh woopido? Or is it woopede? You're saying he has no style? That his STYLE is that he HAS NO STYLE?! Well okay if you say so but I say shame on you! And I'd say that says more about you than it says about him. I still think he DOES have style, lots of it and I bet if I heard his bluegrass I'd LOVE it!! Nothing you say can change what STYLE of music I prefer nor the fact that variety makes the world go round! Thanks kiddo! :-)

[@mandoaaron]

A different one - why have just one when you can have two.

[@spitfirekid1]

$500k later Chris still doesn’t own a hair comb! 😆

[@bossHogOG]

Jessamyn's Reel

[@jackcullen4635]

I really can't tell whether the purpose of this video is to support him or rip on him... ?

[@smokenmangos7586]

glad I'm not the only who was really bothered by that haha

[@mandoaaron]

he is going to buy the Loar! #mandolincafe

[@10kscoedsk]

What mandolin is he talking about that he couldn't afford before this genius money?

[@riceflatpicking4954]

Most likely a Loar. They go for an average of $250K. 20's Gibson, signed by Lloyd Loar who was the builder at the time.

[@10kscoedsk]

I ended up doing some research, because this question bugged the heck out of me. You guys are absolutely correct. Some Lloyd Loar Gibson that is even special among the few that were made that year. Crazy

[@gabelogan56]

Wow... talk about the gods telling you you're allowed to have something! I'm happy for him. I bet the others in the series aren't even played. So did he buy one?

[@StephenRahrig]

I mean....we all knew the answer would be “on a mandolin” 😐

[@lesjohns4359]

This interviewer is not good. Chris is amazing. So much more than Bluegrass...

[@travo6805]

This is unbearable to watch with headphones because they panned the voices in reverse lol

[@lukesavage1019]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="238">3:58</a>

[@erneststarcevic9241]

Michael Dawes

[@ScaleScarborough-jq8zx]

He’s going to invest it, not spend it (on Gucci bags and escorts).

[@lucyfoster4082]

Can't the MacArthur Foundation people scrounge up a certified letter??

[@RandomArtistry]

"Like, you didn't grown up amid moonshine in App-uh-lay-shuh..." Ah yes, stereotyping and cultural insensitivity, delightful.

[@whatsitmatter7046]

took the words out of my mouth. We southerners get more baseless insults yet we don't complain EVER. If only the emasculated yankees knew what we think of them....

[@Nummer1Ahteest]

Oh Wupeide. I see what caused you to get a bee in your bonnet. I had stated, "I wouldn't pay a dime for a front row seat to hear his style of music". I mistakenly left out the letter "t". I meant to say... "THIS" STYLE of music not "HIS" style. So THERE! You happy now? ;-) BTW, isn't it interesting how you would "attack" me for one minor thing like a personal opinion yet, you would not give me credit for how I graciously applauded him. Did you miss that? or are you just a very negative person?

[@jasonbaas8381]

by the way, Jesus loves you, friend

[@pinksnowbirdie2938]

In his words... #ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@pinksnowbirdie2938]

Oh also. TELL NO ONE.

[@BluegrassBanter]

um where's Adam Steffey's genius award ??

[@smeltnight2002]

#huuaaaaaaaa

[@Nummer1Ahteest]

I didn't say I didn't like him. And I guess I should say "shame on ME!" Looks like I'M now the one with a "bee in his bonnet". HA!!! I guess ignorant people irritate me much more than a music style I don't care for. Sorry everyone. ;-) And lastly, you said "If you hated Britney Spears, I could understand". REALLY? Understand WHAT? I don't know what hating Britney Spears has to do with anything but no, I DON"T care for her STYLE of music. Does that help you feel better? :-) Have a nice day.

[@Theoboeguy]

you had me until "500,000 is a life-changing amount of money for a musician". boo.

[@brocktaylor3944]

I may just be a mountain hillbilly from Tennessee, but the interviewer is the one who sounds ignorant. I am a little offended. I may not renew my subscription.

[@whatsitmatter7046]

yeah its always ok to bash the South and anyone from it. Modern musical styles all come from Dixie but these idiots never realize it

[@Nummer1Ahteest]

This is a classic example of "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". And BEFORE any negative comments are made let me say I respect the fact that this guy has AWESOME talent! He IS a musical genius and deserves the award ok? BUT... I wouldn't pay a dime for a front row seat to hear his STYLE of music. I applaud diversity so this isn't a "slam"! VARIETY is what makes the world go round (and a less boring place to live), SO give me some Ricky Skaggs any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[@donaldscearce5687]

Weird guy

[@QuincyJordanOfficial]

is that Jude Law?

[@simonvanderheijden432]

#buyacoupleofmadolines

[@mistertaterbug]

;-D lord lord

[@TheSpoonwood]

hahaha... awesome..understandable paranoia could cost you a lot of money......

[@billykid84]

"I'm going to use just part of the $500,000 to invest in an alarm clock, and a bottle of shampoo, or at least a hat, so I can get up at some point in the morning to take a shower, because I've heard that my 'bed-head' look is just obnoxious!" -Chris Thile

[@hannahferrell7534]

I've seen this man perform live more times than anyone else, and if you ever get a chance go see him play. He is pure talent, whether playing with the Punch Brothers (a group full of fantastic musicians), Nickel Creek (again, gifted) with Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan Yo Yo Ma, sometimes he's best by himself (his Bach is incredible). He is pure creativity. Weird as hell though. One odd duck, but an amazing musician.