Krauss, Alison

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ALISON KRAUSS (AND UNION STATION)

  • From Champaign, Illinois. Lives in Nashville.
  • Full name: Alison Maria Krauss.
  • Began playing country music when she was ten years old and bluegrass when she was 12.
  • Almost chose a career in the roller derby. “I couldn’t decide whether to play violin or roller-skate!” she said.
  • Won five state fiddle championships while she was in junior high school and the national fiddle championship at Winfield, Kansas at age 13.
  • 1985, played fiddle with a group called “Classified Grass.”
  • 1987, formed Union Station with bassist John Pennell.
  • 1987, signed with Rounder and recorded her first solo album at age 16 (Too Late to Cry).
  • 1989 (at age 17), toured nationally with “Masters of the Folk Violin” (also included Kenny Baker and Michael Doucet).
  • 1993, joined the Grand Ole Opry. She became the first bluegrass artist to join the Opry in 29 years (since Jim and Jesse) and the youngest at age 21.
  • 1994, toured with Garth Brooks and Dwight Yoakum.
  • 1995, Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection became the first bluegrass album to sell a million copies (certified platinum).
  • 1995, won her 4th IBMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year (also won in 1990, 1991, 1993).
  • 1995, she won her second IBMA Award for Entertainer of the Year (also won in 1991).
  • 1995, performed at the White House for President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and other dignitaries.
  • She has appeared on soundtracks for numerous movies: “Twister” (1996), “Prince of Egypt” (1998), “O Brother, Where Art Thou” (2000), “Cold Mountain” (2004), others.
  • 2000, produced Nickel Creek’s debut album.
  • 2001, won an IBMA award for Gospel Recording of the Year (duet with Gillian Welch “I’ll Fly Away” from the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” soundtrack).
  • 2003, won an IBMA award for Album of the Year (Alison Krauss & Union Station – Live)
  • 2004, recorded “Whiskey Lullaby” with Brad Paisley which went to #1 on the country charts for several weeks.
  • 2005, she co-hosted the IBMA Awards Show for the third time (with Ricky Skaggs). She co-hosted previously with Dan Tyminski (2003, 2004).
  • 2005, won her sixth CMA Award. She has won awards for “Album of the Year,” “Female Vocalist of the Year”, “Single of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” “Horizon Award” and “Vocal Event of the Year.”
  • 2007, recorded and toured with Led Zepellin’s Robert Plant.
  • 2009 (July), performed for President Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House.
  • 2012, won her 27th Grammy Award, tying her with Quincy Jones for the most Grammy wins. She holds the record for the most Grammy wins by a female artist (she overtook Aretha Franklin in 2004).
  • 2019, was awarded the National Medal for the Arts by President Donald Trump in a ceremony at the White House.

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