When the National Medal for the Arts recipients line up this evening at The White House, legendary bluegrass and country artist Alison Krauss will be among the honorees.
The Medal is the highest honor offered by the United States federal government to those associated with artistic endeavors. As described by the National Endowment for the Arts…
It is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States.
Now a legitimate superstar, claimed by fans of country and pop music, bluegrass lovers remember when Alison first hit with her bluegrass sound as a young teen. With 14 albums under her own name, and many others where she appears as a guest, Krauss has collected 27 Grammy awards out of 42 nominations. She holds the distinction of being the most awarded vocalist in Grammy history, and the most awarded female artist. The International Bluegrass Music Association has called her name 14 times, and the Country Music Association 9, among the many times she has been honored.
But wherever her career might take her, she has always returned to recording bluegrass with her band, Union Station. And on her live shows, which include selections from her many projects and videos, the bluegrass numbers always received the loudest applause.
This afternoon at 3:30 p.m., President Trump will present the National Medal for the Arts to Alison Krauss at a White House ceremony. Others receiving the medal will include actor Jon Voight, Sharon Percy Rockefeller, and The Musicians of the United States Military.
This presentation will be carried live on YouTube at the White House channel.
UPDATE 6:30 p.m. – Here is video of this afternoon’s White House presentation.
