Molly Tuttle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Molly Tuttle
Tuttle in 2018
Background information
Birth nameMolly Rose Tuttle
Born (1993-01-14) January 14, 1993 (age 31)
Santa Clara, California, U.S.
OriginPalo Alto, California, U.S.
GenresBluegrass, Americana, country, folk
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, banjo
Years active2006–present
LabelsCompass
Websitemollytuttlemusic.com

Molly Rose Tuttle (born January 14, 1993)[1] is an American vocalist, songwriter, banjo player, guitarist, recording artist, and teacher in the bluegrass tradition. She is noted for her flatpicking, clawhammer,[2] and crosspicking[3] guitar prowess. She has cited Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Alison Krauss and Hazel Dickens as role models.[4] In 2017, Tuttle was the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association's Guitar Player of the Year award.[5] In 2018 she won the award again, along with being named the Americana Music Association's Instrumentalist of the Year. In 2023, Tuttle won the Best Bluegrass Album for Crooked Tree and also received a nomination for the all-genre Best New Artist award at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.[6] Also in 2023, Tuttle and Golden Highway won International Bluegrass Music Awards for album Crooked Tree and the title track in the categories of Album of the Year and Song of the Year, respectively, while Tuttle won Female Vocalist of the Year.[7]

Biography[edit]

Early career[edit]

Born in Santa Clara, California and raised in Palo Alto, Tuttle began playing guitar at age 8.[8][9][10] At age 11, she played onstage with her father Jack Tuttle, a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist and instructor.[10] At age 15, she joined her family band The Tuttles with AJ Lee. Her siblings Sullivan (guitar) and Michael (mandolin), and mandolist AJ Lee[11] are also in the band.[12]

In 2006, at age 13, Tuttle recorded The Old Apple Tree with her dad, an album of duets.[13] Tuttle graduated from Palo Alto High School in 2011.[14][15]

In 2011, the Tuttles self-released their Introducing the Tuttles album,[16] and the Endless Ocean album in 2013.[17]

In 2012, Tuttle was awarded merit scholarships to the Berklee College of Music for music and composition,[18] received the Foundation for Bluegrass Music's first Hazel Dickens Memorial Scholarship,[19] won the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at the Merlefest Music Festival,[20] and appeared with her dad on A Prairie Home Companion.[21]

Collaborations[edit]

While studying at the Berklee College of Music, in 2014, Tuttle met and joined the all-female bluegrass group the Goodbye Girls.[20] They combine bluegrass, jazz, and Swedish folk music.[22] Other members are Allison de Groot (banjo), Lena Jonsson (fiddle), and Brittany Karlson (bass). They released an EP Going to Boston in 2014, and the album Snowy Side of the Mountain in 2016.[23] The band has also toured Jonsson's home country Sweden several times.[24]

Tuttle also recorded Molly Tuttle & John Mailander, a duet EP with fiddler John Mailander.[25]

In 2018, she joined Alison Brown, Missy Raines, Sierra Hull, and Becky Buller in a supergroup. The quintet performed at the Rockygrass festival in Lyons Colorado on July 27, 2018. Initially known as the Julia Belles, the group later became known as the First Ladies of Bluegrass. Additional gigs were booked at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville on September 18, 2018 and the IBMA Wide Open Bluegrass Festival on September 28, 2018. She also collaborated with Billy Strings on the songs "Sittin' on Top of the World" and "Billy in the Lowground."

The First Ladies of Bluegrass are featured on the first single from a full-length CD by Missy Raines titled Royal Traveler released in 2018 on Compass Records.[26]

Solo career[edit]

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway on tour at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia on September 3, 2022

In 2015, Tuttle moved from Boston to Nashville.[27] Her EP Rise was released in 2017 after a crowdfunding campaign. She wrote all of the songs on the 7-song album, which was produced by Kai Welch.[28] Guests included Darrell Scott, the Milk Carton Kids, Kathy Kallick, and Nathaniel Smith.[29] She formed The Molly Tuttle Band, which included Wes Corbett (banjo), Joe K. Walsh (mandolin), and Hasee Ciaccio (bass).[20] Tuttle was selected by Buddy Miller to join his "Cavalcade of Stars" section of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass on the Rooster Stage on October 6, 2018.

In 2017, Tuttle signed with Alison Brown's Compass Records.[30][31] Tuttle released her debut album When You're Ready via Compass Records on April 5, 2019.[32] Next she released ... but I'd rather be with you again on Compass Records in August 2020.[33]

In 2021, Tuttle assembled with her new "dream" band, Golden Highway, including Shelby Means on bass, Kyle Tuttle on banjo, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes on fiddle, and Dominick Leslie on mandolin, with everyone sharing or supporting vocals. Late in 2021 they began playing gigs and began touring in earnest at the start of 2022.[citation needed] In January 2022, Nonesuch Records announced a release by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway titled Crooked Tree on April 1, 2022.[34] Their follow-up album, City of Gold, was released in July 2023.[35]

Personal life[edit]

Tuttle was diagnosed with alopecia areata when she was three years old, which quickly progressed to alopecia universalis, resulting in total body hair loss.[36]

Discography[edit]

Solo albums[edit]

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
Heat

[37]
US
Indie

[38]
US
Bluegrass

[39]
Rise (EP) 18 47 2
When You're Ready
  • Released: April 5, 2019
  • Label: Compass
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
5 11
But I'd Rather Be with You
  • Released: August 28, 2020
  • Label: Compass
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
Crooked Tree[41]
  • Released: April 1, 2022
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
12 1
City of Gold
  • Released: July 21, 2023
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
22 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

The Goodbye Girls[edit]

  • 2014: Going to Boston (self-released)
  • 2016: Snowy Side of the Mountain (self-released)

Molly Tuttle and John Mailander[edit]

  • 2014: Molly Tuttle and John Mailander EP (Back Studio)

The Tuttles With AJ Lee[edit]

  • 2012: Introducing the Tuttles With AJ Lee (self-released)
  • 2013: Endless Ocean (self-released)

Molly and Jack Tuttle[edit]

  • 2007: The Old Apple Tree (Back Studio)

As a featured artist[edit]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref
2016 International Bluegrass Music Awards Momentum Award Herself Won
2017 Guitar Player of the Year Won [42][5]
2018 International Folk Music Awards Song of the Year "You Didn't Call My Name" Won
Americana Music Honors & Awards Instrumentalist of the Year Herself Won [43]
International Bluegrass Music Awards Emerging Artist of the Year Nominated [44]
Guitar Player of the Year Won
Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Rise Nominated
Song of the Year "You Didn't Call My Name" Nominated
Recorded Event of the Year "Swept Away"[A] Won
2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Herself Nominated [45]
Guitar Player of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year "Take the Journey"[B] Nominated
Collaborative Recording Of The Year "Soldiers Joy/Ragtime Annie"[C] Nominated
2020 International Bluegrass Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Herself Nominated [46]
Guitar Player of the Year Nominated
2021 International Bluegrass Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Herself Nominated [47]
Guitar Player of the Year Nominated
2022 International Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Nominated [48][49]
Instrumental Group of the Year Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Herself Won
Guitar Player of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Crooked Tree Nominated
2023 Grammy Awards Best New Artist Herself Nominated [6]
Best Bluegrass Album Crooked Tree Won
International Folk Music Awards Album of the Year Won [50]
International Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Nominated [51]
Instrumental Group of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year "Crooked Tree" Won
Album of the Year Crooked Tree Won
Collaborative Recording of the Year "From My Mountain (Calling You)"[D] Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Herself Won
Guitar Player of the Year Nominated
2024 Grammy Awards Best Bluegrass Album City of Gold Won [52]

^ A. with Missy Raines, Alison Brown, Becky Buller and Sierra Hull
^ B. Molly Tuttle (artist), Molly Tuttle/Sarah Siskind (writer)
^ C. with Roland White, Justin Hiltner, Jon Weisberger and Patrick McAvinue
^ D. with Peter Rowan and Lindsay Lou

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rose, Mike (January 14, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for January 14, 2023 includes celebrities Dave Grohl, Carl Weathers". Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Jason Verlinde (September 1, 2016). "Molly Tuttle – "Old Man at the Mill"". Fretboard Journal. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  3. ^ Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers (February 16, 2017). "Crosspicking 101: A Private Bluegrass Lesson with Molly Tuttle". Acoustic Guitar. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  4. ^ Jewly Hight (August 29, 2017). "World Cafe Nashville: Molly Tuttle". World Cafe. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Juli Thanki (September 29, 2017). "Molly Tuttle makes bluegrass history at IMBA Awards in Raleigh". Tennessean. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Nicholson, Jessica (November 15, 2022). "Molly Tuttle Talks Best New Artist, Best Bluegrass Album Grammy Nominations: 'I Was Shocked'". Billboard.
  7. ^ Lawless, John (September 23, 2024). "2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners". Bluegrass Country. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  8. ^ Kat Harding (September 27, 2017). "Molly Tuttle Is IBMA's First Female Nominee for Guitarist of the Year—And She's Not Stopping There". Indy Week. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  9. ^ Palopoli, Steve (April 27, 2022). "Molly Tuttle's Album Debut". Metro Silicon Valley. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Deming, Mark. "Molly Tuttle". allmusic. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  11. ^ Easy Ed (June 15, 2017). "AJ Lee: A Flower Blooms in the California Bluegrass". No Depression. Archived from the original on July 24, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  12. ^ "Molly Tuttle: From Homegrown Bluegrass to a New Solo Album". No Depression Roland. August 16, 2016. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017.
  13. ^ Adam Perlmutter (August 24, 2017). "Molly Tuttle: Organic & Acoustic". Premier Guitar. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  14. ^ "Paly student preserves tradition of bluegrass". The Paly Voice. December 10, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2022. Molly Tuttle, a 14-year-old freshman at Paly, has been preserving the underappreciated tradition of performing bluegrass music for six years.
  15. ^ Bialas, Michael (August 24, 2020). "Molly Tuttle Discusses Honoring Music She Loves with a Fabulous New Covers LP". PopMatters. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  16. ^ "Northern California Bluegrass Awards Says The Tuttles - Best Bluegrass Band". Prescription Bluegrass. February 3, 2011. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  17. ^ John Curtis Goad (July 22, 2013). "Endless Ocean – The Tuttles with A.J. Lee". Bluegrass Today. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  18. ^ Dave Stewart (January 27, 2015). "Dave Stewart Entertainment Announces Artist Shows in Nashville". The Daily Country. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  19. ^ Michael Hall (October 5, 2011). "Molly Tuttle Awarded First Hazel Dickens Memorial Scholarship, Will Celebrate At Brown Barn Saturday". Northern California Bluegrass Society. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  20. ^ a b c Haylie Ellison (May 4, 2017). "The Molly Tuttle Band is coming to Roseburg on May 7". News-Review. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  21. ^ Darry Madden (October 24, 2012). "Student Molly Tuttle Performs on Prairie Home Companion". Berklee College of Music. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  22. ^ Cat Johnson (July 18, 2017). "Preview: Goodbye Girls to Play Don Quixote's". GoodTimes Santa Cruz. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  23. ^ Red Line Roots (May 27, 2015). "9 Questions to Newport: Molly Tuttle (of The Goodbye Girls)". No Depression. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  24. ^ Alison Richter (September 20, 2017). "Emerging Bluegrass Artist Molly Tuttle on Influences, Music and Gear". Guitar Girl. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  25. ^ Paul Hormick (May 1, 2014). "Molly Tuttle & John Mailander". San Diego Troubadour. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  26. ^ "Royal Traveller - Missy Raines". bluegrasstoday.com. December 11, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  27. ^ Brian Carroll (July 14, 2017). "Rising Up, Pickin' The Balance: An Interview With Molly Tuttle". Red Line Roots. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  28. ^ Kristin Brown (May 10, 2017). "Molly Tuttle Talks About Her New EP 'Rise'". Cowboys and Indians. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  29. ^ Brittney McKenna (June 30, 2017). "AS Discovery: Molly Tuttle". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  30. ^ Lisa Snedeker (September 28, 2017). "Molly Tuttle makes history at IBMA 2017". Huffington Post. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  31. ^ John Curtis Goad (September 26, 2017). "Molly Tuttle to Compass Records". Bluegrass Today. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  32. ^ Trigger (March 1, 2019). "Be On The Lookout for Molly Tuttle and "When You're Ready"". Saving Country Music. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  33. ^ "MOLLY TUTTLE". Compass Records. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  34. ^ "Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway's Album 'Crooked Tree' Due April 1 on Nonesuch Records". Nonesuch Records. January 20, 2022. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  35. ^ Spencer, Neil (July 15, 2023). "Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway: City of Gold review – gritty country with pyrotechnics". The Observer. Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  36. ^ "Alopecia Areata". Molly Tuttle.
  37. ^ "Molly Tuttle Chart History > Independent Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019.
  38. ^ "Molly Tuttle Chart History > Independent Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019.
  39. ^ "Molly Tuttle Chart History > Bluegrass Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019.
  40. ^ Bjorke, Matt (September 4, 2019). "Top 10 Country Album Sales Chart: September 4, 2019". Roughstock. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  41. ^ Freeman, Jon (January 20, 2022). "Molly Tuttle Recruits Margo Price, Billy Strings for New Album 'Crooked Tree'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  42. ^ Stephen L. Betts (September 29, 2017). "2017 Bluegrass Awards: Earls of Leicester Named Entertainer of the Year". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  43. ^ "The 2018 Americana Music Award Winners". KOKE FM. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  44. ^ Betts, Stephen L. (July 25, 2018). "Molly Tuttle, Becky Buller Lead 2018 Bluegrass Award Nominations". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  45. ^ John Lawless (July 24, 2019). "2019 IBMA Award nominees announced". bluegrasstoday.com.
  46. ^ Casey Campbell (July 26, 2020). "Nominations for the 31st Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Announced". ibma.org.
  47. ^ Casey Campbell (July 20, 2021). "Nominations for the 31nd Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Presented by Yamaha Announced". ibma.org.
  48. ^ John Lawless (July 26, 2022). "2022 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards nominees announced". bluegrasstoday.com.
  49. ^ John Lawless (September 29, 2022). "2022 IBMA Bluegrass Award winners". bluegrasstoday.com.
  50. ^ Paul Grein (February 1, 2023). "Janis Ian, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Win Top Awards at 2023 International Folk Music Awards: Full List". Billboard.
  51. ^ "SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2023 IBMA AWARDS NOMINEES AND BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES". July 19, 2022.
  52. ^ "2024 Bluegrass Grammy winner". bluegrasstoday.com. Retrieved February 4, 2024.

External links[edit]