14 Facts About Alison Brown

Alison Brown was born on August 7,1962 and is an American banjo player, guitarist, composer, and producer.

Alison Brown has won and has been nominated for several Grammy awards and is often compared to another banjo prodigy, Bela Fleck, for her unique style of playing.

Alison Brown won first place at the Canadian National Banjo Championship, which helped her land a one-night gig at the Grand Ole Opry.

Alison Brown has a daughter, Hannah West, and a son, Brendan West.

In 1980, Alison Brown went to Harvard University, where she studied history and literature.

In 1982, while still at Harvard, Alison Brown helped to reunite the Northern Lights band after a five-year hiatus, she became a band member until 1984, when she moved back to California.

Alison Brown worked for two years with Smith Barney in San Francisco, and then took a break to pursue her music interests.

In 1987, Alison Krauss asked Brown to join her band, Union Station.

The 1990 album I've Got That Old Feeling, on which Alison Brown played banjo, won a Grammy award.

In 1992, Alison Brown became the band leader for Michelle Shocked.

In 2001, in collaboration with Bela Fleck, Alison Brown won the Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance for her song "Leaving Cottondale" from her album Fair Weather.

Alison Brown participated in Alison Krauss's Grammy-winning album I've Got That Old Feeling, and received a Grammy nomination for her own recording, Simple Pleasures.

In 2007, Alison Brown was honored as one of Irish America magazine's Stars of the South.

In 2015, Alison Brown received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association for the furtherance of bluegrass music.