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Born 55 Years Ago Today in Illinois, the Grammy-Winning Fiddler Who Worked With a Rock Icon and Helped Bring Bluegrass Into the 21st Century
Alison Krauss, the Grammy-winning fiddler and singer born in Decatur, Illinois, on 23 July 1971, is celebrated for her role in modernising and broadening the audience for bluegrass. Her career spans acclaimed work with Union Station, successful collaborations with Robert Plant and contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, making her an influential figure in American roots music.
Krauss began performing as a child, winning the Illinois State Fiddle Championship at 11 and signing with Rounder Records at 14; her debut album followed in 1987. Alison Krauss and Union Station have won 27 Grammys among other awards, while 2007’s Raising Sand with Plant went platinum and won five Grammys. Her performances on the O Brother soundtrack helped fuel a bluegrass and old-time music revival in the early 2000s.
In short
- Alison Krauss became a leading modern bluegrass artist from an early age.
- Union Station and Krauss have won 27 Grammy Awards.
- Her work helped introduce bluegrass to wider audiences.
Explained simply
Alison Krauss is a Grammy-winning fiddler and singer from Illinois who is celebrated for modernising bluegrass and broadening its audience. She began performing professionally as a child, winning the Illinois State Fiddle Championship at age 11, and signed to Rounder Records at 14, releasing her debut album in 1987.
Krauss is best known for her work with her band Union Station, which has won 27 Grammy Awards between them, and for collaborations outside bluegrass, notably with rock singer Robert Plant. Their 2007 album Raising Sand won five Grammy Awards and sold well. Her involvement with the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack helped fuel a broader bluegrass revival in the early 2000s, introducing the music to audiences beyond its traditional regional base.