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Molly Tuttle
Molly Tuttle
Molly Tuttle
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Key Information

Molly Rose Tuttle (born January 14, 1993)[1] is an American vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, banjo player, 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, and was 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] In 2023, Tuttle and Golden Highway won International Bluegrass Music Awards for their album Crooked Tree and for the title track, in the categories of Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Tuttle was Female Vocalist of the Year.[7]

Biography

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Tuttle was born in Santa Clara, California, and raised in Palo Alto. She 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] were also in the band.[12]

In 2006, at age 13, Tuttle recorded The Old Apple Tree with her father, an album of duets.[13] She 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] She 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 father 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] which combined bluegrass, jazz, and Swedish folk music.[22] Other members were Allison de Groot (banjo), Lena Jonsson (fiddle), and Brittany Karlson (bass). The group released an EP Going to Boston in 2014 and the album Snowy Side of the Mountain in 2016,[23] and toured Jonsson's home country of 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 became known as the First Ladies of Bluegrass. Additional gigs were played at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville on September 18, 2018, and the IBMA Wide Open Bluegrass Festival on September 28, 2018. Tuttle collaborated with Billy Strings on the songs "Sittin' on Top of the World" and "Billy in the Lowground." The First Ladies of Bluegrass were featured on the first single from a full-length album 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] She released her debut album When You're Ready via Compass Records on April 5, 2019 and but I'd rather be with you again on Compass Records in August 2020.[32]

Golden Highway

[edit]

In 2021, Tuttle assembled 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, everyone sharing or supporting vocals. In January 2022, Nonesuch Records announced a release by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway titled Crooked Tree on April 1, 2022. Their follow-up album, City of Gold, was released in July 2023.[33] Both won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.

New Band

[edit]

Tuttle announced the dissolution of Golden Highway in May 2025, with many band members pursuing solo careers, and revealed a new, all-female band that would begin touring with her in July.[34] Her new album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, was set for release on August 15, 2025. The project was produced by Jay Joyce and preceded by the single "That's Gonna Leave a Mark".[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] Tuttle has been in a relationship with Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show since 2023.[37]

Discography

[edit]

Solo albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
Heat
[38] 		US
Indie
[39] 		US
Bluegrass
[40]
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[42]
  • 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
So Long Little Miss Sunshine
  • Released: August 15, 2025
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
Heat 		US
Indie 		US
Bluegrass
Rise 18 47 2

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)

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA
"That's Gonna Leave a Mark" 2025 13 So Long Little Miss Sunshine
[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 [43][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 [44]
International Bluegrass Music Awards Emerging Artist of the Year Nominated [45]
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 [46]
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 [47]
Guitar Player of the Year Nominated
2021 International Bluegrass Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Herself Nominated [48]
Guitar Player of the Year Nominated
2022 International Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Nominated [49][50]
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 [51]
International Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Nominated [52]
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 [53]

^ 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]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Molly Tuttle

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from Grokipedia
Molly Tuttle (born January 14, 1993) is an American bluegrass musician, , , and player renowned for her innovative approach to the genre, blending traditional roots with progressive elements. Raised in , in a musical family, she began playing guitar at age eight and was performing onstage by eleven, often alongside her father, Jack Tuttle, a veteran instructor of string instruments, and her brothers Michael and Sullivan. Diagnosed with at age three, Tuttle lost her hair by four and has since become a prominent for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, openly addressing the condition in her personal narrative and advocacy. Tuttle's professional career launched in her mid-teens, with her debut album The Old Apple Tree (2007), a duet project with her father recorded when she was thirteen, marking her entry into . After graduating from in 2015, she gained acclaim as a , becoming the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Guitar Player of the Year award in 2017 and repeating the honor in 2018. She further expanded her recognition by winning the Americana Music Association's Instrumentalist of the Year in 2021. Her breakthrough as a bandleader came with the formation of Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway in 2021, whose debut album Crooked Tree (2022) earned the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2023, along with three IBMA awards including Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. The band's follow-up, City of Gold (2023), secured another Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album in 2025 and the IBMA Album of the Year in 2024, solidifying her status as a leading figure in contemporary bluegrass. In 2025, Tuttle released her first solo album since Rise (2017), So Long Little Miss Sunshine, produced by and featuring collaborations with artists like , exploring themes of personal transformation and pop-infused bluegrass hybrids. Tuttle's partnerships, including songwriting with her partner of , have influenced her songcraft, while her technical prowess in has inspired a new generation of players.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Molly Tuttle was born in , and raised in the nearby city of Palo Alto. She grew up in a vibrant musical household dominated by her father, Jack Tuttle, a skilled player, bluegrass multi-instrumentalist, and longtime music teacher who ran Tuttle Music and instructed countless students in the Bay Area. The family home constantly echoed with the sounds of traditional instruments like the and , as Jack shared his passion for bluegrass with his children through daily immersion in the genre. Tuttle's family included her mother, Maureen, and two younger brothers, Sullivan and Michael, both of whom took up guitar and , respectively, fostering a close-knit dynamic centered on music. Informal jam sessions were a regular part of daily life, often gathering the siblings and their father on the living room couch for spontaneous playing that strengthened their bonds and embedded bluegrass traditions early on. Although surrounded by the innovative tech culture of Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, the Tuttle family's commitment to acoustic bluegrass roots created a distinctive contrast, prioritizing old-time string music over the era's digital advancements. This environment provided Tuttle with her initial exposure to bluegrass through familial influences.

Musical beginnings

Molly Tuttle began her musical journey at the age of eight, picking up the guitar under the guidance of her father, Jack Tuttle, a and bluegrass instructor whose playing inspired her early interest in the instrument. Initially drawn to the , she quickly shifted her focus to guitar, practicing diligently in a household filled with music from her family's bluegrass traditions. By age eleven, Tuttle made her onstage debut alongside her father at a local event, marking her introduction to performing in front of audiences within the bluegrass community. This early exposure extended to participating in bluegrass jams and festivals, where she honed her skills through informal sessions that emphasized the genre's collaborative spirit and instrumental techniques. At thirteen, Tuttle achieved a significant milestone by recording her first album, The Old Apple Tree, a project with her father that featured her on guitar and vocals alongside his multi-instrumental contributions, showcasing her emerging talent in bluegrass arrangements. Seeking formal education to deepen her expertise, she later attended on merit scholarships, studying guitar performance and composition to blend her bluegrass roots with broader musical structures.

Career

Early collaborations

Molly Tuttle began her professional music career in her mid-teens through involvement in her family's bluegrass band, The Tuttles, which she joined at age 15 in 2008 alongside her father Jack Tuttle on bass and fiddle, her younger brothers Sullivan on guitar and Michael on mandolin. The band performed extensively across the United States, Canada, and Europe, including appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Their recordings included the debut collaborative album Introducing The Tuttles with A.J. Lee in 2008, marking Tuttle's early contributions as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter in a family-driven bluegrass setting. Tuttle's collaboration with vocalist and mandolinist A.J. Lee deepened through the band's evolution into The Tuttles with A.J. Lee, where Lee served as a key harmony vocalist and performer, often perceived as an extended family member due to their close-knit dynamic. The group toured widely in the late and early , building Tuttle's reputation in bluegrass circles through live performances at festivals and venues emphasizing traditional and original material. They released multiple albums, including contributions to Lee's related projects like A.J. Lee & Blue Summit, where Tuttle provided guitar and vocal support on select tracks and tours, showcasing her emerging style. Prior to formal band commitments, Tuttle engaged in early non-family work by performing gigs with fellow students from her father Jack Tuttle's bluegrass instruction school in , forming informal ensembles around 2006 to play at local events such as farmers' markets. In early 2015, following her studies at , Tuttle relocated to , where she began establishing independent connections in the bluegrass and Americana scenes through initial gigs arranged by contacts like songwriter Korby Lenker. In 2014, Tuttle co-formed the all-female bluegrass group The Goodbye Girls with banjoist Allison de Groot, fiddler Lena Jonsson, and bassist Brittany Karlson, serving as the primary guitarist and occasional lead vocalist during their active period through 2016. The band released their debut album Going to Boston in August 2014, featuring Tuttle's original composition "Devil On My Mind" and traditional tunes, recorded at Dimension Sound Studios in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. They followed with Snowy Side of the Mountain in 2016, a self-released effort that highlighted their acoustic string-band sound through live performances at international folk festivals. Tuttle also partnered with fiddler John Mailander, a fellow Berklee alumnus, for duo performances and recordings starting around 2014, blending her guitar with his in interpretations of traditional bluegrass and originals. Their collaboration culminated in the self-titled EP Molly Tuttle & John Mailander in 2017, a five-track release including Tuttle's "Another Side," Mailander's "Tell Me," and covers like Joni Mitchell's "Morning Morgantown," which they promoted through live shows in bluegrass venues up to that year.

Solo breakthrough

In 2015, Molly Tuttle relocated from her native to , immersing herself in the city's vibrant music scene and laying the groundwork for her independent career. Two years later, in September 2017, she signed a recording deal with Compass Records, founded by banjoist Alison Krauss and her husband Garry West, which provided a platform for her solo endeavors. This move marked a pivotal shift from her earlier collaborative work, allowing Tuttle to focus on her songwriting, vocals, and distinctive guitar style as a lead artist. Tuttle's solo breakthrough arrived with her debut EP on , When You're Ready, released on April 5, 2019. The six-track collection featured original songs like "Million Miles" and "Sit Back and Watch It Roll," showcasing her introspective lyrics about personal growth and relationships, paired with her fluid and techniques. Critics praised the EP for its blend of bluegrass roots and modern Americana sensibilities, with highlighting Tuttle's "commanding" guitar work and Folk Alley noting its "airy breeziness" that captured spring-like renewal. Her first full-length solo album, ...but i'd rather be with you, followed on August 28, 2020, produced by Grammy winner at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville. Inspired by the 2020 Nashville tornado and the ensuing pandemic isolation, the record reinterpreted covers from artists across genres, including Arcade Fire's "" and The Rolling Stones' "," emphasizing themes of resilience, escapism, and emotional connection through Tuttle's soaring vocals and innovative arrangements. commended the album's "versatile" execution, underscoring Powell's production for its warm, intimate sound that amplified Tuttle's interpretive depth. Amid these releases, Tuttle garnered significant accolades, including nominations for the 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards that propelled her visibility. She became the first woman to win IBMA Guitar Player of the Year in 2017 for her groundbreaking —a rapid alternating pick technique adapted from playing to guitar—revolutionizing bluegrass instrumentation, and she repeated the honor in 2018. These wins, along with her Emerging Artist recognition, solidified her reputation as a trailblazing solo talent.

Golden Highway period

In 2021, Molly Tuttle formed the bluegrass band Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, assembling a lineup of accomplished musicians to support her evolving sound. The group featured Tuttle on guitar and lead vocals, alongside Kyle Tuttle on , Dominick Leslie on , Bronwyn Keith-Hynes on —who had previously collaborated with fiddler —and bassist Shelby Means. This formation marked a shift toward collaborative bluegrass rooted in traditional instrumentation while incorporating Tuttle's songwriting and style. The band's debut album, Crooked Tree, released on April 1, 2022, via , explored themes of imperfection and personal resilience, drawing from Tuttle's experiences with and broader reflections on nonconformity in bluegrass. Highlights from the 13-track album included the title song "Crooked Tree," which addressed self-acceptance; "Flatland Girl" featuring ; "Dooley's Farm" with ; and "Big Backyard" alongside , blending upbeat narratives with instrumental prowess. Produced by Tuttle and , the record earned widespread acclaim for its original compositions and revitalized bluegrass energy. It won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album at the in 2023, as well as the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Album of the Year and Song of the Year for the title track at the 2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Building on this momentum, City of Gold arrived on July 21, 2023, also on Nonesuch, with Tuttle and Douglas returning as producers; the album was recorded in Nashville and inspired by the band's extensive touring experiences. The 13 songs delved into social issues, including reproductive rights in "Goodbye Mary," familial upheaval in "Broken Tie," and themes of , , and women's , all framed through introspective and genre-blending elements like Americana and rock influences. Standout tracks showcased the band's tight interplay, such as the title song evoking communal hope and "Next Rodeo" featuring . The album secured another Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album at the in and the IBMA Album of the Year in , underscoring its critical and cultural impact. Throughout 2022–2024, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway undertook rigorous touring, including U.S. headlining runs like the 2024 "Down the Rabbit Hole" tour spanning cities from to , festival appearances at events such as RockyGrass and High Sierra Music Festival, and international dates such as a 15-city tour in January 2024 supporting . These performances, characterized by high-energy sets and virtuoso solos, helped broaden bluegrass's appeal to diverse audiences, attracting younger listeners and crossover fans through innovative covers and original material that bridged traditional roots with modern sensibilities.

Recent developments

In May 2025, following the success of Golden Highway's Grammy-winning run, Molly Tuttle announced the dissolution of the band, attributing the decision to a desire for creative evolution and new musical directions after four years of collaboration. Tuttle quickly formed a new all-female backing band in early summer 2025, featuring multi-instrumentalist Ellen Angelico (guitar, dobro), bassist Vanessa McGowan, multi-instrumentalist Mary “Mair” Meyer (guitar, mandolin, fiddle), and drummer Megan Jane, which allowed for a broader sonic palette in live settings. The ensemble debuted with energetic performances that blended bluegrass roots with amplified elements, including appearances at the RockyGrass Festival in July, where it marked Golden Highway's farewell show, and subsequent dates like the Hulaween festival on November 2 in Live Oak, Florida. Tuttle also showcased the group during intimate sessions for WFUV's "An Evening with" series on November 11 at Sony Hall in New York, highlighting their versatility in both acoustic and electric formats. On August 15, 2025, Tuttle released her fifth solo album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, via , comprising 12 original songs co-written with producer , including standout tracks like "Everything Burns" and "The Highway Knows." The record represents a deliberate shift toward a pop-Americana hybrid, incorporating fuller band arrangements, electric guitars, and thematic explorations of personal growth and resilience, diverging from her prior bluegrass-centric work. To promote the album, Tuttle made notable guest appearances in 2025, contributing guitar and vocals to ' Corn Queen on the duet "Prodigal Daughter," which fused bluegrass picking with storytelling, as well as tracks on St. John's Man of the North. She also contributed guitar and vocals to Ringo Starr's album Look Up, produced by T-Bone Burnett. Throughout late 2025, Tuttle maintained a rigorous touring schedule with her new band, including a performance of "Crooked Tree" at the in September, underscoring her commitment to advocacy amid evolving artistry.

Personal life

Tuttle was diagnosed with at age three, which progressed to within a year, resulting in total loss. Despite attempts at treatments such as injections and topical creams, her hair did not regrow. As a child, she faced public scrutiny and anxiety, often wearing wigs during her teenage years to conceal her condition. In , Tuttle began sharing her experience publicly on , embracing her baldness and performing without wigs. She serves as a spokesperson for the National Foundation (NAAF), performing at their conferences, mentoring individuals with the condition, and raising awareness through her music and onstage discussions to combat stigma and promote . Tuttle is in a relationship with musician of , with whom she co-writes songs and lives.

Artistry

Musical style

Molly Tuttle is renowned for her mastery of guitar, a technique that emphasizes precise, rapid to drive bluegrass rhythms and leads with clarity and speed. Central to her style is , a method where the guitarist holds a chord shape while alternating the pick across three strings—typically the fourth, third, and second—to produce a banjo-like rolling pattern that intertwines melody lines with bass notes, creating a full, self-accompanying texture. This approach allows her to layer intricate solos over traditional bluegrass structures, blending technical virtuosity with rhythmic propulsion. Tuttle's music fuses bluegrass foundations with elements of Americana, pop, and punk, evident in her vocal delivery—which ranges from ethereal highs to gritty edges—and her song structures that incorporate unconventional harmonies and dynamic shifts. In her arrangements, bluegrass instrumentation meets punk-infused energy through aggressive tempos and raw emotional expression, while pop sensibilities appear in catchy hooks and polished production layers. This genre-blending creates a sound that honors acoustic traditions while pushing toward broader contemporary appeal. Her songwriting often explores themes of personal vulnerability and imperfection, as seen in the title track of her 2022 album Crooked Tree, which uses the of a flawed tree to embrace quirks and struggles like her experience with , transforming personal pain into resilient anthems. Social issues also surface, with tracks addressing wanderlust's consequences and historical of displacement in City of Gold (2023), reflecting on movement and belonging in modern America. These themes underscore a style that prioritizes emotional authenticity over idealized storytelling. Tuttle's style has evolved from strictly traditional bluegrass in her early recordings to more innovative fusions, culminating in her 2025 album So Long Little Miss Sunshine, where subtle electronic hints and pop elements like buoyant synth textures expand her acoustic core into territory. This progression maintains her bluegrass roots but introduces boundary-pushing experimentation, marking a shift toward fluidity.

Influences and technique

Molly Tuttle's guitar playing draws heavily from the traditions of bluegrass pioneers, particularly , whose innovative phrasing and tone she has cited as a foundational influence on her own style. In reflections on Rice's legacy, Tuttle emphasized how his music continues to inspire contemporary players, stating that "even those who never met him personally" carry forward his techniques through their performances. Similarly, , a leading , has been a key influence and mentor; Sutton highlighted Tuttle as an emerging talent during his own award acceptances and collaborated with her on tributes, underscoring her command of precise, melodic lines. Her early exposure to bluegrass came through her family, with father Jack Tuttle, a and instructor, immersing her in the genre from childhood via family performances and festivals. Additionally, Tuttle's youth in California's scene added a raw, energetic edge to her approach, blending the intensity of that world with bluegrass roots to create a dynamic, unpolished drive in her music. Tuttle's technical prowess stems from a diverse background, beginning with studies that enhanced her multi-instrumentalism and rhythmic sensibility before she shifted focus to guitar at age eight. Her time at , where she earned scholarships for music and composition in 2012, refined her songwriting skills, allowing her to integrate complex harmonies and structures into bluegrass frameworks. A hallmark of her technique is her innovative use of , including "backward" variations where she starts on lower strings and rolls upward, adding fluidity and mandolin-like textures to guitar solos that distinguish her from traditional flatpickers. Beyond core influences, Tuttle draws inspiration from folk traditions, as seen in her cover of Kate Wolf's "Here in California" on the 2024 EP Into the Wild, which she described as a tribute to one of her favorite California songwriters, featuring her father on harmonies. Early associations with Old Crow Medicine Show infused her work with their high-energy, old-time string band vibe; collaborations like co-writing tracks with frontman Ketch Secor and joint performances captured that group's punk-fueled Americana spirit, influencing Tuttle's live dynamism. Tuttle's mastery has advanced women's roles in instrumental bluegrass, marked by her historic wins as the first female International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Guitar Player of the Year in 2017 and again in 2018. These achievements, alongside her Momentum Instrumentalist award in 2016, highlight her role in breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated field.

Discography

Solo albums

Molly Tuttle released her debut solo covers album, ...but i'd rather be with you, on August 28, 2020, through Compass Records. The 10-track record features reinterpretations of songs by artists such as The National, The Rolling Stones, and Lucius, recorded amid the COVID-19 pandemic and inspired by personal introspection following a Nashville tornado. It received critical acclaim for Tuttle's innovative guitar arrangements and emotive vocals, blending folk and bluegrass elements into the covers. Tuttle's second solo album, Crooked Tree, arrived on April 1, 2022, via , marking her label debut and featuring contributions from her band Golden Highway. The record explores themes of authenticity and embracing personal imperfections, drawing from the "crooked tree" metaphor to celebrate nonconformity in bluegrass traditions. It earned widespread praise for its raw storytelling and instrumental prowess, including a Grammy win for Best Bluegrass Album. Follow-up album City of Gold was released on July 21, 2023, also on , with Golden Highway providing backing. Comprising 13 original tracks, it delves into on issues like and environmental loss, set against Western landscapes and modern Americana narratives. The album highlights Tuttle's evolution as a songwriter, incorporating guest appearances such as on "Yosemite." Tuttle's latest solo effort, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, came out on August 15, 2025, through , produced by in Nashville. This 12-track album represents a stylistic shift toward pop-country, featuring songs like "Everything Burns," "Rosalee," "The Highway Knows," "Golden State of Mind," and a cover of and Charli XCX's "I Love It," alongside originals exploring personal growth and farewells to past selves. The full tracklist includes: 1. "Everything Burns," 2. "The Highway Knows," 3. "Golden State of Mind," 4. "Rosalee," 5. "I Love It," 6. "That's Gonna Leave a Mark," 7. "Easy," 8. "Summer of Love," 9. "Crooked Treebound," 10. "Little Miss Sunshine," 11. "The Ballad of Molly Tuttle," and 12. "Farewell Blues."

Extended plays

Molly Tuttle's extended plays represent key milestones in her career, bridging her instrumental roots with emerging songwriting. Her debut solo EP, Rise, released on June 2, 2017, by Compass Records, features seven tracks that blend original compositions with covers, highlighting her transition to a . Produced by Kai Welch, the EP includes standout tracks such as the introspective "Good Enough" and "You Didn't Call My Name," which showcase Tuttle's and cross-picking guitar techniques alongside her vocals. Prior to Rise, Tuttle issued the collaborative EP Molly Tuttle and John Mailander in on Back Studio Records, a five-track project with fiddler John Mailander emphasizing bluegrass instrumentals and duets. Notable selections include "Sit Down" and "Wheel Hoss," demonstrating her early versatility in traditional settings. In September 2024, Tuttle released Into the Wild, a six-song EP with her band Golden Highway on , marking a return to the format amid her full-length albums. The EP features originals like the driving "Into the Wild" and "Getaway Girl," featuring and Jack Tuttle on "Here in ," exploring themes of escape and reflection.

Collaborative projects

Molly Tuttle began her recording career as a core member of the family bluegrass band The Tuttles with , formed in 2008 by her father Jack Tuttle and featuring siblings Molly and Sullivan alongside vocalist . The group released their debut album, Introducing the Tuttles with , in 2010 on Back Studio Records, a collection of traditional bluegrass standards including covers of "White Freightliner Blues" and "It Takes a Train to Cry." This was followed by in 2013, which incorporated original material and further showcased the band's instrumental prowess in acoustic string music. In 2014, Tuttle co-founded the all-female bluegrass supergroup The Goodbye Girls with banjoist Allison de Groot, fiddler Lena Jonsson, and bassist Brittany Karlson, blending American and Swedish traditional influences. They released Going to Boston in 2014, featuring tracks like "Pretty Little Miss" and "Graveyard" that emphasized tight harmonies and dynamic instrumentation. The band's debut full-length album, Snowy Side of the Mountain, followed in 2016, highlighting Tuttle's guitar alongside original and traditional tunes, establishing the ensemble's innovative take on old-time bluegrass. Tuttle partnered with fiddler John Mailander for the self-titled EP Molly Tuttle & John Mailander in 2014, a five-track release of bluegrass instrumentals and songs such as "Another Side, Tell Me" that captured their duo's chemistry through live-feel recordings. Earlier, in 2007, she collaborated with her father Jack Tuttle on the duet album The Old Apple Tree, where the pair performed a mix of covers and instrumentals like "Rain and Snow" and "June Apple," with Molly handling and vocals on several tracks. Prior to her solo endeavors, Tuttle contributed guitar and vocals to pre-solo group efforts, including guest appearances on tracks with Old Crow Medicine Show, such as their collaborative cover of Neil Young's "Helpless" in 2020, which supported hunger relief initiatives.

Singles and guest appearances

Molly Tuttle has released several standalone singles, often serving as lead tracks from her albums or EPs, blending bluegrass with broader Americana influences. Her 2022 single "Crooked Tree," co-written with Ketch Secor, was released on April 1 as the title track from her debut Nonesuch Records album of the same name, exploring themes of nonconformity through intricate guitar work and vocal harmonies. The track earned acclaim for its raw energy and Tuttle's flatpicking style, contributing to the album's Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. In 2024, Tuttle issued "Getaway Girl," co-written with Secor, on September 20 as part of her EP Into the Wild, capturing a sense of restless escape with driving rhythms and pedal steel accents. The single highlighted her band's versatility, shifting toward a more pop-infused bluegrass sound while maintaining traditional instrumentation. Following this, Tuttle released a cover of Kate Wolf's 1981 song "Here in " on the same EP, featuring family members and Jack Tuttle on vocals and bass, paying homage to songwriting roots with lush harmonies and acoustic warmth. Tuttle's 2025 single "Everything Burns," also co-written with Secor, debuted on August 15 as the opening track from her album So Long , addressing themes of destruction and resilience amid political undertones, delivered through fiery and guitar interplay. None of these singles charted prominently on the Bluegrass Songs chart, though Tuttle's associated albums frequently topped the Bluegrass Albums chart. Beyond her own releases, Tuttle has made notable guest appearances on other artists' projects. On ' 2025 album Corn Queen, released June 6 via Pigasus/ Records, Tuttle contributed vocals and guitar to "Prodigal Daughter," infusing the track with bluegrass texture that complemented Whitters' narrative of Midwestern life. Similarly, on Liam St. John's debut album Man of the North, out September 5 via Rock, Tuttle featured on " Bus Blues," adding harmonious vocals and guitar to the roots-rock song about transient hardship. In early 2025, Tuttle collaborated extensively on Ringo Starr's country album Look Up, produced by T-Bone Burnett and released January 10 via UMG Nashville, appearing on four tracks that showcased her guitar prowess and vocal blend in a star-studded ensemble. She provided and backing vocals on "Look Up," the album's title track; sang vocals on "I Live for Your Love" and "Can You Hear Me Call"; and contributed guitar and vocals to "String Theory" alongside .

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

YearCategoryWorkResultRef.
2023Best New ArtistHerselfNominated
2023Best Bluegrass AlbumCrooked Tree (with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway)Won
2024Best Bluegrass AlbumCity of Gold (with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway)Won
2026Best Americana AlbumSo Long Little Miss SunshineNominated
2026Best Americana Performance"That's Gonna Leave a Mark" (with Sierra Hull)Nominated

International Bluegrass Music Association Awards

YearCategoryWorkResultRef.
2016Momentum AwardHerselfWon
2017Guitar Player of the YearHerselfWon
2018Guitar Player of the YearHerselfWon
2022Female Vocalist of the YearHerselfWon
2023Album of the YearCrooked Tree (with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway)Won
2023Female Vocalist of the YearHerselfWon
2023Song of the Year"Crooked Tree" (with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway)Won
2024Album of the YearCity of Gold (with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway)Won
2025Female Vocalist of the YearHerselfWon

Americana Music Honors & Awards

YearCategoryResultRef.
2018Instrumentalist of the YearWon

International Folk Music Awards

YearCategoryWorkResultRef.
2018Song of the Year"You Didn't Call My Name"Won
2023Album of the YearCrooked TreeWon

References

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  94. https://open.spotify.com/track/2ZtOqWd72Bt9hOlSvkiKjI
  95. https://ibma.org/award-recipients/molly-tuttle-golden-highway/
  96. https://thebluegrasssituation.com/read/see-the-winners-of-the-2025-ibma-bluegrass-music-awards/
  97. https://americanamusic.org/awards/winners/
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