It is rare that a young musician will take that spark of wonder that first inspired them to cradle an instrument and cultivate it to the point of full-blown virtuosity. Even rarer still is for that virtuosity to emerge as just one facet of a well-rounded musical intelligence. Only seventeen years old as of this writing, Sierra Hull displays instrumental facility and musical maturity well beyond her age with Secrets, her national debut album.
Hull began playing mandolin at age eight, and quickly became noted on the national festival scene for her fluid, inventive picking – winning several mandolin and guitar championships in the process. While there is no shortage of hot picking on Secrets, what is more astonishing is Hull’s overall musicianship: she never overplays, never overwhelms the emotion at the core of the song, and is committed to a creating a band sound greater than the sum of its parts. Hull has developed into an exquisite vocalist, as amply demonstrated by the largely vocal-driven material that composes Secrets. Working closely with co-producer Ron Block (Alison Krauss and Union Station), Sierra’s vocal performances are disarmingly tender and eloquent, yet delivered with the confidence and honesty necessary to cut through a top-notch bluegrass ensemble.
Among the musicians and vocalists joining her on Secrets are Block, Barry Bales, Dennis Crouch, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Clay Hess, Rob Ickes, Chris Jones, Jason Moore, Tony Rice, Dan Tyminski, Jim VanCleve, and the remarkably hard-driving nineteen-year-old banjo phenom Cory Walker, who has already played alongside Sierra for several years. Articulate and engaging on-stage and off, Hull has already emerged as a leading light in a new generation of bluegrass musicians.
Sierra has been exceptionally busy over the past few years, winning over a wide range of audiences via extensive festival appearances (including regular appearances at Merlefest and Rockygrass), numerous performances at the IBMA conventions, as well as IBMA-sponsored workshops, teen showcases and appearances at the 2008 Americana Music Association Conference. She was also privileged to participate in the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) Honors & Awards show honoring Alison Krauss. She co-hosted (with Ryan Holladay) and performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall Family Concert Series held in the renowned Isaac Stern Hall, and in February 2008 once again joined Ron Block, Bobby McFerrin, and Edgar Meyer at the same historic venue – after which the New York Sun praised her in print as a “wonderfully adapt” mandolin player and “a lovely singer.” She was also invited during the summer of 2008 by the IBMA to put together a band of young upcoming musicians to take part in a cultural music exchange festival in Kawaguchi City, Japan which included her talented older brother, Cody (guitar) Cory and Jarrod Walker(banjo, mandolin) and Austin and Christian Ward (bass,fiddle). After which, she and Highway 111 spent two weeks promoting 'Secrets' across most of Japan. (Sierra also appeared in the 2008 film Billy: The Early Years, a biopic about legendary evangelist Billy Graham, directed by Robby Benson. In both the film and the Arista Nashville soundtrack for the film, Sierra performs the song Just As I Am.
Hull’s touring band, Sierra Hull & Highway 111, includes the afore-mentioned Cory Walker (banjo/dobro), Clay Hess (guitar), Jacob Eller (bass) and Christian Ward (fiddle). They have spent most of 2009 touring all across the US and Canada, winning audiences at every stop they make. Most recently, the band was nominated for 2009 "Emerging Artists of the Year" by the International Bluegrass Music Association as well as a "Mandolin Player of the Year" nomination for Sierra for the second consecutive year. The awards will be announced on October 1st at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the midst of a busy touring schedule, Sierra is currently attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where she is the first person in the history of Bluegrass music to receive a Presidential Award scholarship worthy of $175,000. Despite the praise and acclaim that swirls around her, Sierra Hull remains humble, down to earth and gracious. She loves coming back to her hometown of beautiful Byrdstown, TN, home of the Sierra Hull Bluegrass Festival. It is this good nature that has already endured her to so many and continues to charm and impress all that come in contact with her. "Sierra is a remarkably talented, beautiful human being" says Alison Krauss, "Success could not come to a more worthy person. I adore her."
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After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hi Sierra! It was great to meet you and your band at Dosey Does Coffee shop in Houston last night. I really appreciate y'all heartfelt performances for such an small audience. It was so worth the drive from Dallas.
Hey sierra i no you dont know me but ive been a big fan a long time and i always told my friends that i wanted to take u to prom with me i leave about 2 hours away from nashville in Winston county Alabama and was wondering if u might consider it I'll be coming up to the IBMA's this thursday night if u might. will You comment me back Thanks Tyler Cagle
At dis moment in time 10 million people r having sex.5 million people r drinking coffee.100 million people r sleeping & 1 stupid fool is reading my text!pass on
Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol. 2 by various artists: George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, Daniel Ho, Richard Ho'opi'i, Bobby Ingano, Kawika Kahiapo and Jeff Peterson
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Qualcuno avrebbe potuto pensare che gli Angeli con liuto o mandolino fossero presenti solo sugli affreschi delle chiese barocche e non solo...e invece ecco che te ne trovo uno in una stupenda cornice di Bluegrass, dove puoi apprezzare la stessa Arte ...che, anche in questo caso, tende verso l'Alto...:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_NFtgY4Rvk&feature=player_embedded
We've all been working very hard this year on making the best Hawaiian music with our favorite artists. And here they are! Five new Hawaiian music releases for 2009.
Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Ho'ola I Ka Poli - iTunes
George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, Daniel Ho, Richard Ho'opi'i and Bobby Ingano, Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol. 2 - iTunes
Hey Sierra! Thanks for adding me to your friends...My family runs a couple bluegrass shows here in ohio and im going to pass along your name! Keep up the good work and God Bless.
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