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This article is about the bluegrass musician. For the Kent State student, see Allison Krause. Alison Krauss Alison Krauss at MerleFest, 2007 Background information Born July 23, 1971 (1971-07-23) (age 37) Origin Decatur, Illinois, USA Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician, record producer Instrument(s) Vocals, fiddle Alison Krauss[1] (born July 23, 1971[2] in Decatur, Illinois) is an American bluegrass-country singer and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in 1987. She was invited to join the band with which she still performs, Alison Krauss + Union Station (AKUS), and later released her first album with them as a group in 1989. She has released eleven albums, appeared on numerous soundtracks, and helped renew interest in bluegrass music in the United States. Her soundtrack performances have led to further popularity, including the Grammy-winning O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, an album also credited with raising American interest in bluegrass, and the Cold Mountain soundtrack, which led to her performance at the 2004 Academy Awards. During her career she has won 26 Grammy Awards, making her the most awarded female artist (and the third most awarded artist overall) in Grammy history.[3] Contents [hide] 1 Biography Biography Alison Krauss was born in Decatur, Illinois, and was raised in Champaign, Illinois.[4] She began studying classical violin at five years old but soon switched to bluegrass. Krauss said she first became involved with music because "[my] mother tried to find interesting things for me to do" and "wanted to get me involved in music, in addition to art and sports."[5] At age eight she started entering local talent contests, and at ten she had her own band. At 13 she won the Walnut Valley Festival Fiddle Championship,[6] and the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass in America named her the Most Promising Fiddler in the Midwest. Krauss first met Dan Tyminski around 1984 at a festival held by the Society. Every current member of her band, Union Station, first met her at these festivals.[7] Krauss made her recording debut in 1985 on the independent album, Different Strokes.[2], featuring her brother Viktor, Swamp Weiss, and Jim Hoyles. She performed with John Pennell, bassist and songwriter, from the age of 12 in a band called "Silver Rail." Pennell later formed Union Station,[8] and Krauss joined at | ||||
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