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Alison KraussFolk singer
Date of Birth: 23.07.1971
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Alison Krauss
- Musical Journey and Rise to Fame
- Breakthrough and Continued Success
- Legacy and Influence
Biography of Alison Krauss
Early Years and Musical BeginningsAlison Krauss, an American violinist and country music performer, began her career in the 1990s by promoting bluegrass, a style of music that originated in the southern United States and features the violin as one of its main instruments. By blending bluegrass with folk, she gained immense popularity with the release of her platinum album, Now That I've Found You, in 1995. Prior to this breakthrough, Krauss had transformed from a child prodigy into a versatile and ambitious musician in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Musical Journey and Rise to Fame
Krauss started playing the violin and taking classical lessons at the age of 5. However, she soon grew tired of the limitations of classical performance and began improvising bluegrass and country music. By the age of 8, she was already participating in various music festivals, and within two years, she had formed her own band. In 1983, at the age of 12, Alison won the Illinois State Fiddle Championship, and the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass named her the "most promising Midwestern fiddler."
In 1985, with the help of her brother Viktor, Jim Hoiles, and Bruce Weiss, Krauss recorded her debut album titled "Different Strokes," which was released under the independent record label Fiddle Tunes. She later signed a contract with Rounder Records at the age of 14. "Too Late to Cry" became Krauss's debut album in 1987, recorded with her backing band, the Union Station, which included guitarist Jeff White, banjoist Alison Brown, and bassist Viktor Krauss. Within a year, the band was recognized as the best bluegrass band in America.
In 1989, Krauss and Union Station released the album "Two Highways," which earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Bluegrass Recording. Although the album did not win, her next release, "I've Got That Old Feeling" in 1990, did. By this time, the Union Station had settled into its lineup, which included mandolinist Adam Steffey, banjoist/guitarist Ron Block, bassist Barry Bales, and guitarist Tim Stafford (later replaced by Dan Tyminski).
Breakthrough and Continued Success
In 1992, Alison Krauss & Union Station released the album "Every Time You Say Goodbye," which showcased purely electric sounds ranging from "Orange Blossom Special" to covers of Beatles' "I Will" and Shawn Colvin's "I Don't Know Why." The album charted well, and its music videos were played on national television.
In 1994, the highly successful album "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" was released, surpassing the success of its predecessor. However, it was the 1995 album "Now That I've Found You: A Collection" that propelled Krauss to stardom. It reached number two on the charts and entered the top ten of pop records, establishing Krauss as the leading light of 90s bluegrass.
The unexpected success of "Now That I've Found You" was followed by "So Long, So Wrong" in the spring of 1997. In the mid-1999, the album "Forget About It" was released. A year later, Alison Krauss & Union Station joined forces with John Hartford, Ralph Stanley, and others for the multi-million-selling soundtrack of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
In November 2002, their album "New Favorite" was released and achieved gold status within four months. In 2004, Krauss released another album titled "Lonely Runs Both Ways."
Legacy and Influence
Alison Krauss has not only achieved commercial success but has also made a significant impact on the bluegrass and country music genres. Her unique blend of bluegrass and folk, along with her extraordinary violin skills and captivating vocals, has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including 27 Grammy Awards. Krauss's ability to cross genres and captivate audiences with her soulful performances has solidified her status as one of the most influential and respected musicians of her time.
