Alison Krauss + Union Station - 2006 Grammy Award Profile

Alison Krauss started playing the violin when she was five. She quickly grew tired of the rigors of classical music and started playing bluegrass. By the age of eight, she was playing in talent contests, and by 12 had won Illinois State Fiddle Championship. She was signed to Rounder Records by 14. Her debut album Too Late To Cry, was recorded in 1987, two years later, with her band Union Station (Jeff White, Alison Brown, and Viktor Krauss), and released to critical acclaim. In '88, the band won Society's National Band Championship, and in '89, they won a Grammy.

It wasn't until 1995, with the release of Now That I've Found You, that Alison achieved mainstream success with her unique blend of bluegrass and folk, and her exquisite, soaring soprano voice. She continues to record with Union Station, although the lineup has changed somewhat (Adam Steffey, Ron Block, Barry Bales, and Dan Tyminski), they recorded the breakout hit "Man of Constant Sorrow" from the movie O Brother Where Art Thou (with Tyminski on vocals), which put them firmly in the public eye. New Favorite followed in 2002. Krauss and Union Station are very likely the most popular traditional group recording today.