Alison Maria Krauss, born on July 23, 1971, in Decatur, Illinois, is a renowned American musician known for her contributions to bluegrass, country, and pop music. Raised in Champaign, Illinois, Krauss began studying classical violin at the age of five but soon emerged as a bluegrass prodigy. By age 10, she was leading a band, and at 12, she won the Illinois State Fiddling Championship. She signed her first recording contract at 14 and released her first solo album in 1987.

Krauss joined Union Station in 1989, and her soprano voice became a defining feature of the group's success. The ensemble gained prominence with the 1995 album "Now That I’ve Found You," which included the hit single “When You Say Nothing at All.” Krauss's work on soundtracks for films like "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and "Cold Mountain" further popularized bluegrass music.

Her collaboration with Robert Plant on the album "Raising Sand" in 2007 was a significant crossover success, earning five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. As of 2019, Krauss has won 27 Grammy Awards, making her one of the most awarded female artists in Grammy history. In addition to her musical achievements, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2019 and inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021.