Alison Krauss

This article is about the bluegrass musician. For the Kent State student, see Allison Krause.

Alison Krauss
Krauss at the 2007 MerleFest
Krauss at the 2007 MerleFest
Background information
Birth nameAlison Maria Krauss
Born (1971-07-23) July 23, 1971 (age 53)
Decatur, Illinois, U.S.
OriginChampaign, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instruments
Years active1984–present
Labels
Member of
Spouse
​
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(m. 1997; div. 2001)​
Websitealisonkrauss.com

Alison Maria Krauss (born July 23, 1971) is an American bluegrass-country singer, fiddler and music producer. She entered the music industry at an early age, competing in local contests by the age of eight and recording for the first time at 14. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in 1987. She was invited to join Union Station, releasing her first album with them as a group in 1989 and performing with them ever since.[2]

Krauss has released 14 albums, appeared on numerous soundtracks, and sparked a renewed interest in bluegrass music in the United States. Her soundtrack performances have led to further popularity, including the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, and the Cold Mountain soundtrack, which led to her performance at the 2004 Academy Awards. Platinum-selling Raising Sand (2007) was the first of her two collaborations with English rock singer Robert Plant.

As of 2019, she has won 27 Grammy Awards from 42 nominations,[3] ranking her fourth behind Beyoncé, Quincy Jones and classical conductor Georg Solti for most Grammy Award wins overall.[4] Krauss was the singer and female artist with the most awards in Grammy history[5] until Beyoncé won her 28th Grammy in 2021.[6] When Krauss won her first Grammy in 1991, she was the second-youngest winner at that time.

On November 21, 2019, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts.[7] She was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in September 2021.[8]

  1. ^ "Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Reveal 2023 North American Tour Dates". Relix Media. January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Alison Krauss Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  3. ^ "Artist: Alison Krauss". Grammy Awards. November 23, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  4. ^ Martin Chilton (February 13, 2012). "Alison Krauss makes Grammy history". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Leopold, Ted (February 9, 2009). "Plant, Krauss rise with 'Raising Sand' at Grammys". CNN. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  6. ^ Exposito, Suzy (March 14, 2021). "Beyoncé breaks record for most Grammys by a female artist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "President Donald J. Trump to Award the National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved November 21, 2019 – via National Archives.
  8. ^ Rogers, Steve (July 22, 2021). "Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees for 2021 announced". Lexington, Kentucky: WTVQ. Retrieved July 23, 2021.