Guest

Chris Thile

Multiple Grammy Award-winner and MacArthur Fellow Chris Thile, a member of Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek and a solo artist is a mandolin virtuoso, composer and vocalist. With his broad outlook that encompasses classical, rock, jazz, and bluegrass, Thile transcends the borders of conventionally circumscribed genres, creating a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike.A child prodigy, Thile first rose to fame as a member of Grammy Award-winning trio Nickel Creek, with whom he released four albums and sold over two million records. In 2014, along with a national tour, the trio released a new album, A Dotted Line, their first since 2005.As a soloist, Thile has released several albums including his most recent, Thanks for Listening, a collection of recordings, produced by Thomas Bartlett, originally written as Songs of the Week for A Prairie Home Companion. In February 2013, Thile won a Grammy for his work on The Goat Rodeo Sessions, collaborating with Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Stuart Duncan. In September 2014, Thile and Meyer released their latest album collaboration, Bass + Mandolin, which won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Punch Brothers released their latest album, The Phosphorescent Blues, in January 2015, and a follow up EP, The Wireless, in November of the same year. Most recently, Thile released a double-album with Brad Mehldau, titled Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau, in January 2017 and a collection of works from Bach with Yo-Yo Ma & Edgar Meyer in April 2017 called Bach Trios.His latest studio album, Laysongs, is his first truly solo album: It’s just Thile, his voice, and his mandolin, on a set of nine new tracks, combining original songs with three wisely chosen covers that contextualize and banter with his ideas.

Host

Andy Chabot

Blackberry Vice President of Food and Beverage

At the helm of the Food and Beverage programs for Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain, Andy Chabot focuses on creating experiences of taste like no other. As the Food and Beverage Director since 2007, Andy has overseen the growth of Blackberry’s legendary wine program and led the opening of multiple restaurants and concepts. In 2014 The Barn at Blackberry Farm, under Andy’s direction, received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program. Andy’s features include Imbibe Magazine, Wine Spectator Magazine, Food and Wine Magazine, The TODAY Show and more. Andy has exceeded the advanced level of the Court of Master Sommeliers Exam, received the Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Today, Andy is responsible for all aspects of managing Blackberry’s award-winning wine program and the food and beverage programs of both Blackberry Mountain and Blackberry Farm.