50 Fun Facts About Alison Krauss

At what age did Krauss begin classical violin lessons, at her mother's insistence?

She was reluctant to practise but stuck with classical lessons until she was eleven, by which time bluegrass had won her over.

What was Union Station first called, before bassist John Pennell found another band had the name?

Krauss joined Pennell's band at 12, replacing fiddler Andrea Zonn.

Krauss was born in Decatur and raised in Champaign, both in which state?

Champaign named a block of West Hill Street 'Honorary Alison Krauss Way' in 2015.

Krauss's 2007 collaboration with Robert Plant, which won Album of the Year, was titled what?

A sequel, Raise the Roof, followed in 2021 and the pair toured as a duo.

As of 2025 Krauss has won how many Grammy Awards, the fourth-highest total of anyone?

Only Beyoncé, Quincy Jones and conductor Georg Solti have more.

Krauss and Union Station featured heavily on the soundtrack of which 2000 Coen brothers film?

The soundtrack sold over seven million copies and won Album of the Year; she skipped an on-screen role because she was pregnant.

Whose vocals on 'I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow' were used for George Clooney's character in O Brother?

Tyminski, Krauss's Union Station guitarist and mandolinist, first met her at a bluegrass festival around 1984.

Krauss signed with which independent label in 1985, at age 14?

Her Rounder contract required her to alternate solo albums with Union Station albums.

What was the title of Krauss's 1987 debut album, released when she was 16?

Union Station backed her; Two Highways in 1989 was her first album credited to the group.

Krauss joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1993 at what age, making her its youngest cast member at the time?

She was the first bluegrass artist to join the Opry in 29 years.

Krauss's cover of which Keith Whitley song reached No. 3 on the country chart in 1995?

It came from the double-platinum compilation Now That I've Found You, and she later sang it at the White House.

Krauss's only No. 1 hit came in 2000 with a vocal credit on which song?

Her later duet 'Whiskey Lullaby' won CMA awards but stopped short of the top.

Krauss's duet 'Whiskey Lullaby' was recorded with which country star?

It appeared on his album Mud on the Tires and won the CMA's Musical Event and Music Video of the year.

Krauss sang two Oscar-nominated songs from which 2003 film at the Academy Awards?

Both songs were performed live at the ceremony, one with Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett and the other with a former Police frontman.

At the 2004 Oscars Krauss wore a pair of $2 million 'Cinderella' sandals by which designer?

They carried 565 diamonds and had to go back, but she kept the crystal-covered smartphone he gave her.

Which renowned Dobro player joined Union Station in 1998, having played on Krauss's records since 1987?

He replaced mandolinist Adam Steffey.

Krauss produced the first two albums of which bluegrass trio, earning her first producer Grammy?

This Side, their 2002 follow-up, brought the award; she has also produced the Cox Family, Reba McEntire and Alan Jackson.

What Billboard 200 peak did Krauss's 2011 album Paper Airplane reach, her highest ever?

Production dragged on because of her non-stop migraines.

Krauss's 2017 album Windy City, her first solo release in 17 years, was produced by whom?

It collected country and bluegrass classics on Capitol Records and earned two Grammy nominations.

Union Station's 2025 album, their first since 2011, is titled what?

It came out in March 2025 and was followed by an extensive tour.

At what age did Krauss enter her first fiddle contest, at the Champaign County Fair?

She placed fourth in the novice division; her mother had bought a bluegrass instruction book and a Richard Greene album to prepare her.

At 13, Krauss won the fiddle championship at which Kansas event?

The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass in America named her 'Most Promising Fiddler in the Midwest'.

Besides music, which sport did Krauss pursue seriously as a girl before choosing a musical career?

She said she chose music over roller derby in her teens.

Krauss's father owned a house in Urbana that appeared on the debut album cover of which emo band?

Fred Krauss, a German immigrant, taught his native language while earning a psychology doctorate before going into real estate.

Krauss's brother Viktor became a professional player of which instruments?

He played on her 1986 recording debut, the independent album Different Strokes.

Which TV series featured Union Station's 'It Doesn't Matter' and 'That Kind of Love'?

'It Doesn't Matter' opened the show's second season and made the Buffy soundtrack album.

Krauss's cover of 'Baby, Now That I've Found You' was used in which hit Australian comedy?

The song was originally a hit for the Foundations.

Krauss sang on 'If I Could', a 1994 track by which jam band?

She recorded the vocals in Los Angeles in 1993 for the album Hoist.

Krauss's 1994 single with Shenandoah, her first country top-ten, was titled what?

It won the Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.

Krauss's 2007 duet 'Missing You' revived a 1984 hit with its original singer. Who?

It appeared on the collection A Hundred Miles or More alongside duets with James Taylor and Natalie MacMaster.

Krauss sang lead on 'These Dreams' for the 2010 concert DVD of which band?

Her own favourite concert memories include watching Foreigner three times on one tour.

Krauss sang on 'This Guitar' and 'Lifeless' from which band's 2022 album Diamond Star Halos?

She once picked a video director purely because she liked his work for the same band.

Krauss received which honour from the US government in November 2019?

Two years later she entered the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Krauss overtook which singer for the most Grammy wins by a woman, at the 2004 ceremony?

She won three that night for a total of seventeen; Franklin took her sixteenth the same evening.

Which country legend does Krauss cite as a major influence and frequent collaborator?

Her rock favourites are less expected: Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Paul Rodgers of Bad Company.

Krauss's voice is classified as which type?

Critics routinely call it 'angelic', though she rarely sings songs she wrote herself.

Krauss's 2002 live album and DVD with Union Station were recorded at which venue?

Both the album and the DVD went double platinum.

Krauss received the Order of Lincoln in 2024. What is it?

Berklee had already given her an honorary doctorate in 2012.

Krauss and Union Station toured in 2014 with which country icon and his Family band?

Kacey Musgraves and the Devil Makes Three were the special guests.

Krauss sang 'You Will Be My Ain True Love' at the 2004 Oscars with which artist?

'The Scarlet Tide', her other nominated song that night, was performed with Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett.

Krauss's 2021 second album with Robert Plant was titled what?

Announced in August and released that November, it sent the pair out on tour as a duo 14 years after their first collaboration.

Krauss's father Fred emigrated to the United States at age 12 from which country?

He taught his native language while earning a doctorate in psychology, then went into real estate; her mother Louise illustrates magazines and textbooks.

Krauss sings on 'Thankful' from which music legend's 2025 album Look Up?

Her guest spots range widely, from Irish band Altan to a 2023 duet with country duo High Valley.

Which pop superstar invited Krauss to perform with her at the 2013 CMA Awards?

Violinist Joshua Bell also asked her onto a Christmas album, saying she was 'someone I've adored for so many years now'.

In May 2012, Krauss received an honorary doctorate from which Boston institution?

Three years later her hometown of Champaign named a block of West Hill Street 'Honorary Alison Krauss Way'.

Krauss provided a character's singing voice in which 2002 animated comedy?

Her soundtrack credits also include Twister, The Prince of Egypt, Mona Lisa Smile and Bambi II.

Why did Krauss ask not to appear on screen in the 2000 Coen brothers film she sang for?

She has said Americans already liked bluegrass and the film merely gave the music easy exposure; its soundtrack sold more than seven million copies.

Engineer Mike Shipley blamed Paper Airplane's long production on what?

The 2011 album still topped the country and bluegrass charts, and the band did not release another until 2025.

Which song did young Krauss learn by ear from a Richard Greene album for her first fiddle contest?

Her mother bought Greene's 1977 album Duets and an instruction book after spotting a notice for the Champaign County Fair contest; she placed fourth.

Which synth-pop hit did Krauss enjoy on the radio as a child, alongside Foreigner and ELO?

She still names Lou Gramm of Foreigner and Paul Rodgers of Bad Company among her favourite vocalists, and once saw three Foreigner shows on a single tour.