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Kristin Scott Benson was named the Banjo Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Assoication on October 2, 2008.
In November of 2008, she became a member of the two-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals. Regarding the move, she said, "I'm extremely excited to be a part of The Grascals. I look forward to working with these guys and appreciate the opportunity. I've been in the business long enough to realize how rare it is to be in such a successful band and I feel blessed that they offered me a chance to be a part of what they've already established."
Kristin grew up in South Carolina, surrounded by a musical family. She started playing mandolin and stepped on stage for the first time at the age of five. After receiving a much-anticipated banjo for Christmas when she was thirteen, Kristin became enthralled with the instrument and spent her teen years studying the playing of all the banjo greats from Earl Scruggs to Bela Fleck.
Her brand new CD, released on Pinecastle Records, is called Second Season. With eight instrumentals (four of them originals) and four vocal performances, the album features her powerful banjo playing, while still appealing to fans that aren't motivated solely by instrumental prowess. The project is highly anticipated and features many of today's top bluegrass musicians, including, Wayne Benson, Cody Kilby, Jim VanCleve, Mickey Harris, Sally Jones, Larry Cordle, Josh Williams, Larry Stephenson, David Grier, Andy Todd, and Shad Cobb. Copies can be purchased at www.musicshed.com.
Kristin has attained a national identity as one of the top bluegrass banjo players on the scene, exhibiting impeccable taste, timing, and tone. With an attentive ear to back-up, she is known and respected as a true band and team player among her peers. With cover stories in Bluegrass Now, Bluegrass Unlimited and Banjo Newsletter, persistent touring, and renowned recording efforts, people have become very aware of her talent.
Kristin plays a 2007 Sonny Osborne Chief banjo (www.sonnyosborne.com) and a 1933 Gibson TB-3 banjo. She endorses GHS Strings (www.ghsstrings.com) and Robin Smith at Heartland Guitar and Banjo (www.heartlandbanjo.com).
After 13 years in Nashville, Tennessee, Kristin relocated back to the Carolinas in 2007, along with her husband, Wayne, and son, Hogan.
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