Bonnie Raitt   (8 Nov 1949)
née Bonnie Lynn Raitt

"More than just a best-selling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer, and accomplished songwriter, Bonnie Raitt has become an institution in American music."1

"Born to a musical family, the nine-time Grammy winner is the daughter of celebrated Broadway singer John Raitt (Carousel, Oklahoma!, The Pajama Game) and accomplished pianist/singer Marge Goddard. She was raised in Los Angeles in a climate of respect for the arts, Quaker traditions, and a commitment to social activism. A Stella guitar given to her as a Christmas present launched Bonnie on her creative journey at the age of eight."

She studied at Harvard/Radcliffe during the 1960's and became deeply involved with folk music and, in particular, the blues.  She quickly made a name for herself as a dynamic redhead blues woman who belted out major hits and remained a strong activist for social, political and environmental change.

"In 1989, Bonnie achieved new levels of popular and critical acclaim. She won four Grammy Awards in 1990—three for her Nick of Time album and one for her duet with John Lee Hooker," "Within weeks, Nick of Time shot to number one (it is now certified quintuple platinum). Luck of the Draw (1991, seven-times platinum) brought even more success, firing two hit singles— "Something to Talk About" and "I Can't Make You Love Me" —up the charts, and adding three more Grammys to her shelf. The

double-platinum Longing in Their Hearts, released in 1994, featured the hit single "Love Sneakin' Up On You" and was honored with a Grammy for Best Pop Album. It was followed in 1995 by the live double CD and film Road Tested (now available on DVD)."

Genre: Blues, Blue-eyed soul, Country

Source:  (1)

Alison Krauss    (23 July 1971)

A fiddle in hand, 20 Grammy awards and the background for "Cold Mountain"... she's a  bluegrass wonder!

Alison Krauss  is "an American bluegrass-country singer and fiddle player. She entered the music industry at a young age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time on her brother's album at fourteen."

"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 thus far released more than ten albums, appeared on numerous soundtracks, and has helped usher in a new 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 20 Grammy Awards—more than any other female artist and tied for seventh-most among all artists—along with numerous other awards."

Genre: Bluegrass, Newgrass, country, gospel

Source:  (1)