Episode 17: From Near-Death to Musical Awakening with Jens Kruger

Initiations in Love Podcast

In this episode of the Initiations in Love podcast, host Britta Eskey speaks with Jens Kruger - a world renowned banjo player, and part of a trio called The Kruger Brothers - exploring his unique journey through music, family, and personal transformation. Jens shares his early experience of a life-altering near-death experience, his lifelong journey as a musician, and how music became a vital connection to the world around him. He expounds on the profound mystical experiences that shaped his life and the way he approaches his creative expression.

We explore themes of trust, letting it happen, and passion that are woven throughout Jens’ life story. The conversation delves into the liberating power of artistic expression, culminating in reflections on happiness as life beyond material possessions or perfection in one’s craft, to saying Yes to life as a constant initiation in Love.

EPISODE TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide

Born and raised in Europe, Jens Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Together with his Brother Uwe, the brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Several years later, the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, thus forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. They established the incomparable sound that The Kruger Brothers are known for today.

Jens was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall Of Fame in 2011 and the American Banjo Hall Of Fame in 2021. He was named Producer Of the Year by the American Folk Society. He has toured with Jim Eanes, Bluegrass Family, Jeff Turner, and many others, and has worked with labels in the US and abroad, including BMG, K-tel, DDD, Canaris Records.

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Resources and References

• Britta’s Book- Initiations in Love

• The Kruger Brothers’ Website

Show Notes

1:15 - Britta introduces special guest, Jens Kruger

3:26 - Britta inquires when Jens’ love of music began, and what that journey has looked like

7:15 - Jens details his near-death experience at 6 years old

11:00 - Jens recalls what life was like after waking up from his 2.5 week coma, free from fear of death - and why music became central to his life at that point

14:45 - Jens explains why he never told his parents about what happened during (and transpired because of) his coma

16:03 - Jens recounts his time at an asylum for children - and his shock back to regular school and life

18:17 - (TW: suicide) Jens chronicles the next chapter of his journey: from when he was informed that his mother would die, and how it eventually led to his finding happiness as a street performer

28:01 - Britta presses Jens a little more about the level of presence and support from his father, and if that had a hand in Jens’ leaving home to becoming a musician

29:49 - Britta pauses to deliver a message about listening to your children (a lesson applicable to all)

30:28 - Jens shares how he learned that happiness is not bound to material things

35:05 - Jens recalls what led him from signing a major record deal, to a surprise invitation to play onstage with Bill Monroe (from festival to Grand Ole Opry)!

41:50 - Britta pauses Jens’ storytelling to contextualize his experiences with the Initiations in Love concept

50:25 - Jens explains how music isn’t affecting him like it used to - and what his heart is burning for, and feeling responsible to, now

57:19 - Britta identifies and discusses the themes she heard in Jens’ story: trust, letting it happen, and passion

58:42 - Britta and Jens talk about the idea that: In the end, all shall be well.

1:00:06 - Britta identifies the Gift Stage with Jens, and he shares some final lessons

1:02:53 - Britta brings the episode to a close