Sometimes an artist comes along that’s so original, we don’t really know what to do with them. Today, we look at Alison Krauss. She’s highly talented, decorated and respected, and has enjoyed very little charting success with country, but has a great fan base.
People get off the bus everyday in Nashville and have big dreams of stardom, but the reality is, only a tiny handful get to live out the dreams they have. There is so much talent and so little room, it’s a tough biz. But she is so original, she found a space, even it it wasn’t next to Luke Bryan or Carrie Underwood on the charts. Let’s take a look.
Alison Krauss
She is so immensely talented, she started recording albums at 14 years old. You’ll have a tough time finding someone more talented as far as the entire package is concerned. Singing, song writing, producing, performing, fiddle playing, and just God-given talent. In time she and her band Union Station had a gigantic following. Her acoustic/ bluegrass/country roots got her noticed, and she built a large loyal fan base. Her incredibly soft and gentle voice made her so original and captivating, you had to listen when she sang. There was, and is no question that’s her when you hear her. Some say she may have the most beautiful, pure voice they have ever heard. She knows exactly where the notes are and finds them the first time. Her rendition of the Keith Whitley classic, When You Say Nothing At All, is a real favorite and as far as country is concerned, her biggest solo chart success at #3 in 1995
A Real Favorite – Still
Her song, The Lucky One in 2001, many thought was going to be her real breakout country hit, and it’s a remarkable song, but it only went to #46. Her duet with Brad Paisley, Whisky Lullaby in 2004 also a top 5 song was a fan favorite. She has toured and recorded with dozens of huge artists from many formats, from Bluegrass to her acclaimed sessions and concerts with Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin.
What An Incredible Song – The Lucky One
But her talent, her way, and her originality really paid off. Even with her lack of what we would call mainstream success, she has won 27 Grammy’s in 42 nominations. Only 3 have humans on the planet have won more, Beyonce, producer Quincy Jones and conductor Georg Solti. As far as artists are concerned, she’s #2 all-time. There is so much more to her story, but the above speaks for itself. She has been a very successful artist for 40 years selling about 15 million albums and painting a remarkable story.
With Brad Paisley
She is incredible in every way. Talented, successful – and a true ORIGINAL.
Not many – if any – can do what she can.
