Molly Tuttle: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Molly Tuttle grew up in the Bay Area bluegrass scene, learning flatpicking from her father Jack Tuttle and absorbing the West Coast lineage of women bandleaders before winning IBMA Guitar Player of the Year in 2017. This mix traces the Doc Watson–Clarence White guitar line, the Hazel Dickens and Laurie Lewis models she names, and the punk and folk covers that widen her range. It ends with the Nashville partners who built Crooked Tree and Golden Highway.

The Kynda mix for Molly Tuttle

• Key Influence · Doc Watson (1964). Watson's Vanguard debut set the template for bluegrass flatpicking as a lead voice: fiddle tunes rendered note-for-note on a Gallagher dreadnought, sung in a plain Appalachian baritone. Tuttle learned this repertoire early from her father Jack Tuttle, a Palo Alto bluegrass teacher, and her cross-picking and single-note lead style descends directly from the Watson approach that turned the guitar from rhythm instrument into soloist.
• Influencia Obscura · Who's That Knocking? by Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard (1965). The first bluegrass album led by two women, cut for Folkways with West Virginia coal-country grit and no smoothing over. Tuttle cites Dickens as a role model, and this duo's insistence on hard singing, labor politics and unvarnished harmony underwrote every later generation of women bandleaders in the music. It remains far less known than the men's records of the same decade, which is exactly the point.
• Local Roots · I Can't Stand to Ramble by The Good Ol' Persons (1983). Kathy Kallick's Bay Area band, formed in San Francisco in the 1970s, mixed traditional bluegrass with original writing and rotated many of the region's best pickers through its ranks. Tuttle names Kallick as a role model, and this is the record of the scene Tuttle was raised inside: California bluegrass that treated the tradition as living material rather than a museum piece to be reproduced note for note.
• Beyond the Medium · ...And Out Come the Wolves by Rancid (1995). Tuttle recorded a stripped, banjo-and-voice version of Rancid's 'Olympia, WA' for her 2020 covers project, revealing how much punk's plainspoken narrative and forward drive suit string-band arrangement. The California punk of this album shares more with bluegrass than either camp admits: fast tempos, working-class storytelling, and a bristling live energy that Tuttle's flatpicking translates without irony or novelty.
• Peer · Home by Billy Strings (2019). Strings and Tuttle emerged in the same late-2010s wave of young flatpickers who won IBMA hardware and then took bluegrass to rock venues and jam-circuit audiences. They have shared stages and repertoire, and this Grammy-winning album marks the moment that generation proved a traditional string band could tour like a rock act. Their careers run in parallel: virtuoso guitar, original writing, restless audiences.
• From the Canon · Crooked Tree by Molly Tuttle (2022). Produced with Jerry Douglas and co-written largely with Ketch Secor, this is the album where Tuttle returned to a full bluegrass band after two more pop-leaning records and won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. The title song's metaphor of the misfit tree draws on her experience with alopecia, tying virtuoso picking to autobiography. It defines the Golden Highway era and her identity as bandleader.
• Key Collaborator · I Built a World by Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (2023). Keith-Hynes is the fiddler in Golden Highway, Tuttle's touring and recording band, and her playing shapes the arrangements on Crooked Tree and City of Gold. Her own debut steps out from that role into country-leaning songwriting with guests from the Nashville acoustic scene, showing the individual voice inside Tuttle's band sound and how much of that sound depends on her fiddle lines.
• Legacy · Right Now by Twisted Pine (2020). Tuttle's Boston years at Berklee overlapped with a New England acoustic community that produced bands like this one, which pushes string-band instrumentation toward funk and pop with flute in the lineup. The permission structure Tuttle helped establish — that bluegrass technique can serve any song and any groove — runs straight through this record's refusal to stay inside festival-approved arrangements.

What influenced Molly Tuttle

• Laurie Lewis. Tuttle names Laurie Lewis as a role model/influence. (also via Restless Rambling Heart) “She has cited Laurie Lewis , Kathy Kallick , Alison Krauss , and Hazel Dickens as role models.” (Wikipedia)
• Kathy Kallick. Tuttle names Kathy Kallick as a role model/influence. “She has cited Laurie Lewis , Kathy Kallick , Alison Krauss , and Hazel Dickens as role models.” (Wikipedia)
• Alison Krauss. Tuttle names Alison Krauss as a role model/influence. (also via New Favorite) “She has cited Laurie Lewis , Kathy Kallick , Alison Krauss , and Hazel Dickens as role models.” (Wikipedia)
• Restless Rambling Heart by Laurie Lewis (1986). Restless Rambling Heart (Laurie Lewis) — ghost for Molly Tuttle “She has cited Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Alison Krauss, and Hazel Dickens as role models.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Hazel Dickens. Tuttle names Hazel Dickens as a role model/influence. (also via Who's That Knocking?) “She has cited Laurie Lewis , Kathy Kallick , Alison Krauss , and Hazel Dickens as role models.” (Wikipedia)
• Jack Tuttle. Establishes early musical apprenticeship under her father, a bluegrass instructor. “At age 11 she played onstage with her father Jack Tuttle, a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist and instructor.” (Wikipedia)
• Berklee College of Music. Tuttle studied at Berklee College of Music. “In 2012, Tuttle was awarded merit scholarships to the Berklee College of Music for music and composition.” (Wikipedia)
• Doc Watson by Doc Watson (1964). Doc Watson (Doc Watson) — titan for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• Appalachian Swing! by The Kentucky Colonels (1964). Appalachian Swing! (The Kentucky Colonels) — titan for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• New Favorite by Alison Krauss & Union Station (2001). New Favorite (Alison Krauss & Union Station) — titan for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• In My Own Time by Karen Dalton (1971). In My Own Time (Karen Dalton) — culture for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• Chris Thile. Crooked Tree (Molly Tuttle) — legacy for Chris Thile (via Crooked Tree) (musicbrainz.org)
• Who's That Knocking? by Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard (1965). Who's That Knocking? (Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard) — ghost for Molly Tuttle
• ...And Out Come the Wolves by Rancid (1995). ...And Out Come the Wolves (Rancid) — culture for Molly Tuttle

Peers and kindred spirits

• Billy Strings. Direct musical collaboration with Billy Strings. (also via Home) “2017: Billy Strings - Turmoil & Tinfoil (Apostol)” (Wikipedia)
• Alison Brown. Formed a supergroup with Alison Brown. “In 2018, she joined Alison Brown , Missy Raines , Sierra Hull , and Becky Buller in a supergroup.” (Wikipedia)
• Missy Raines. Formed a supergroup with Missy Raines. (also via Royal Traveler) “In 2018, she joined Alison Brown , Missy Raines , Sierra Hull , and Becky Buller in a supergroup.” (Wikipedia)
• Sierra Hull. Formed a supergroup with Sierra Hull. (also via 25 Trips) “In 2018, she joined Alison Brown , Missy Raines , Sierra Hull , and Becky Buller in a supergroup.” (Wikipedia)
• Old Crow Medicine Show. Tuttle featured on Old Crow Medicine Show's live album. (also via O.C.M.S.) “2019: Old Crow Medicine Show - "Live at the Ryman" (Columbia)” (Wikipedia)
• AJ Lee. Tuttle featured on AJ Lee's self-titled album. (also via City of Glass) “2017: AJ Lee - AJ Lee (self-released)” (Wikipedia)
• Home by Billy Strings (2019). Home (Billy Strings) — peer for Molly Tuttle “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 Travel…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• 25 Trips by Sierra Hull (2020). 25 Trips (Sierra Hull) — peer for Molly Tuttle “In 2018, she joined Alison Brown, Missy Raines, Sierra Hull, and Becky Buller in a supergroup.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• I Built a World by Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (2023). I Built a World (Bronwyn Keith-Hynes) — collaborator for Molly Tuttle “=== Golden Highway === 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, with everyone sharing or support…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Best Kept Secret by Jerry Douglas (2005). The Best Kept Secret (Jerry Douglas) — collaborator for Molly Tuttle “As a sideman, he has recorded with artists as diverse as Garth Brooks, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Phish, Dolly Parton, Susan Ashton, Paul Simon, Mumford & Sons, Keb' Mo', Ricky Skaggs, Elvis Costello, Tommy Emmanuel, James Taylor, Johnny…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• O.C.M.S. by Old Crow Medicine Show (2004). O.C.M.S. (Old Crow Medicine Show) — collaborator for Molly Tuttle “Tuttle has been in a relationship with Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show since 2023, becoming engaged on December 3, 2025.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Tuttles with AJ Lee. Tuttle was a member of this family bluegrass band. “At age 15, she joined her family band The Tuttles with AJ Lee.” (Wikipedia)
• the Goodbye Girls. Tuttle joined the all-female bluegrass group the Goodbye Girls. “While studying at the Berklee College of Music in 2014, Tuttle met and joined the all-female bluegrass group the Goodbye Girls” (Wikipedia)
• Allison de Groot. Bandmate in the Goodbye Girls. “Other members were Allison de Groot (banjo), Lena Jonsson (fiddle), and Brittany Karlson (bass).” (Wikipedia)
• Lena Jonsson. Bandmate in the Goodbye Girls. “Other members were Allison de Groot (banjo), Lena Jonsson (fiddle), and Brittany Karlson (bass).” (Wikipedia)
• John Mailander. Recorded a duet EP with fiddler John Mailander. “Tuttle also recorded Molly Tuttle & John Mailander , a duet EP with fiddler John Mailander.” (Wikipedia)
• Becky Buller. Formed a supergroup with Becky Buller. “In 2018, she joined Alison Brown , Missy Raines , Sierra Hull , and Becky Buller in a supergroup.” (Wikipedia)
• Royal Traveler by Missy Raines. Tuttle's supergroup was featured on Missy Raines' album. “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.” (Wikipedia)
• Rise by Lane 8. Kai Welch produced Tuttle's Rise EP. “She wrote all of the songs on the seven-song album, which was produced by Kai Welch.” (Wikipedia)
• Darrell Scott. Darrell Scott was a guest on Tuttle's Rise EP. “Guests included Darrell Scott , the Milk Carton Kids , Kathy Kallick , and Nathaniel Smith.” (Wikipedia)
• the Milk Carton Kids. The Milk Carton Kids were guests on Tuttle's Rise EP. “Guests included Darrell Scott , the Milk Carton Kids , Kathy Kallick , and Nathaniel Smith.” (Wikipedia)
• Nathaniel Smith. Nathaniel Smith was a guest on Tuttle's Rise EP. “Guests included Darrell Scott , the Milk Carton Kids , Kathy Kallick , and Nathaniel Smith.” (Wikipedia)
• Golden Highway. Tuttle founded the band Golden Highway. “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, with everyone sharing or supporting vocals.” (Wikipedia)
• Béla Fleck. Tuttle featured on Béla Fleck's album My Bluegrass Heart. “2021: Béla Fleck - " My Bluegrass Heart " (Renew)” (Wikipedia)
• Ringo Starr. Tuttle featured on Ringo Starr recordings. “2025: Ringo Starr - "I Live for Your Love"” (Wikipedia)
• Bobby Osborne. Tuttle featured on Bobby Osborne's album Original. “2017: Bobby Osborne - Original ( Compass )” (Wikipedia)
• Home Is Where the Heart Is by David Grisman (1982). Home Is Where the Heart Is (David Grisman) — geography for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• City of Glass by AJ Lee & Blue Summit (2024). City of Glass (AJ Lee & Blue Summit) — geography for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• World on the Ground by Sarah Jarosz (2020). World on the Ground (Sarah Jarosz) — peer for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• I Can't Stand to Ramble by The Good Ol' Persons (1983). I Can't Stand to Ramble (The Good Ol' Persons) — geography for Molly Tuttle
• Ketch Secor. Personal and artistic connection to Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show.

Who Molly Tuttle influenced

• Right Now by Twisted Pine (2020). Right Now (Twisted Pine) — legacy for Molly Tuttle (musicbrainz.org)
• Time Is Everything by Vivian Leva (2018). Time Is Everything (Vivian Leva) — legacy for Molly Tuttle