Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss was already a badass fiddler at an age when most musicians haven’t even gotten started. And once she grew up, she did more than just about anybody to bring the public’s attention back to bluegrass. Born in Illinois in 1971, she was only five when she started learning classical violin; she soon became fascinated by bluegrass, pop and rock. A working country fiddler and singer by the time she was 10, she released 1987’s Too Late To Cry, her debut album as a bandleader, while still in her teens. Backed by Union Station, she blended country, pop and bluegrass on albums full of fiery fiddling and crystalline vocals. She tackled material by a wide swath of composers, putting her stamp on every track, be it a Loretta Lynn spiritual or a Todd Rundgren rocker. In 2007 she partnered with Robert Plant for the Americana blockbuster Raising Sand, earning an even bigger audience. Winning dozens of Grammys, she has become bluegrass’ biggest name, influencing countless artists.