What are you doing Saturday?

This Saturday, October 8, Byrdstown, Tennessee, hosts the annual Sierra Hull Bluegrass Festival. You can find details here. I've written about Byrdstown before and the Dixie Cafe, home to Bluegrass and good food in a family atmosphere. Sierra Hull is a native and has been picking and singing since she was a tyke. She's now grown up (all of 20 years old!) and is rapidly making a name for herself.

This talented young lady first appeared on stage at the Grand Old Opry with Alison Kraus and Union Station when she was only 11 years old and has been mentored by Ms Kraus since. She was signed to a recording contract by Rounder Records at age 13 and released her first Rounder CD at age 16. It was co-produced by Alison Kraus and Ron Block of Union Station. Her second Rounder CD appeared earlier this year and was produced by Union Station's Barry Bales. In between she managed to graduate from high school and accept a Presidential Scholarship from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, the first ever awarded to a Bluegrass musician.

Sierra Hull didn't receive all this attention just because she's cute, which she is, but because of an amazing amount of talent. Her voice is pleasant, her phrasing is near perfect, and she can flat out pick a mandolin! If you live too far away to come to Byrdstown for this event, you can still enjoy her music. Just listen to the sample here.