Molly Tuttle
{{Short description|American musician}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Molly Tuttle
| image = Molly Tuttle.jpg
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption = Tuttle in 2018
| birth_name = Molly Rose Tuttle
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|1|14}}
| birth_place = Santa Clara, California, U.S.
| origin = Palo Alto, California, U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|banjo}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| website = {{URL|mollytuttlemusic.com}}
}}
Molly Rose Tuttle (born January 14, 1993){{cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike|date=January 14, 2023|title=Today's famous birthdays list for January 14, 2023 includes celebrities Dave Grohl, Carl Weathers |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-january-14-2023-includes-celebrities-dave-grohl-carl-weathers.html |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=Cleveland.com}} is an American vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, banjo player, recording artist, and teacher in the bluegrass tradition. She is noted for her flatpicking, clawhammer,{{cite web|url=https://www.fretboardjournal.com/video/molly-tuttle-old-man-mill/|title=Molly Tuttle – "Old Man at the Mill"|work=Fretboard Journal|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Jason Verlinde|date=September 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009042009/https://www.fretboardjournal.com/video/molly-tuttle-old-man-mill/|archive-date=October 9, 2017}} and crosspicking{{cite web|url=http://acousticguitar.com/crosspicking-101-a-private-bluegrass-lesson-with-molly-tuttle-video/|title=Crosspicking 101: A Private Bluegrass Lesson with Molly Tuttle|work=Acoustic Guitar|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers|date=February 16, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929182902/http://acousticguitar.com/crosspicking-101-a-private-bluegrass-lesson-with-molly-tuttle-video/|archive-date=September 29, 2017}} guitar prowess. She has cited Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Alison Krauss and Hazel Dickens as role models.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2017/08/29/546730707/world-cafe-nashville-molly-tuttle|title=World Cafe Nashville: Molly Tuttle|work=World Cafe|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Jewly Hight|date=August 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004211530/http://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2017/08/29/546730707/world-cafe-nashville-molly-tuttle|archive-date=October 4, 2017}} In 2017, Tuttle was the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association's Guitar Player of the Year award.{{cite web |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/09/29/molly-tuttle-makes-bluegrass-history/712852001/|title=Molly Tuttle makes bluegrass history at IMBA Awards in Raleigh|work=Tennessean|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Juli Thanki|date=September 29, 2017}} 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.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/molly-tuttle-grammy-nomination-1235171798/|title=Molly Tuttle Talks Best New Artist, Best Bluegrass Album Grammy Nominations: 'I Was Shocked'|first1=Jessica|last1=Nicholson|magazine=Billboard |date=November 15, 2022}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://bluegrasscountry.org/ibma-2023-bluegrass-music-awards/|title=2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners|last=Lawless|first=John|date=September 23, 2024|publisher=Bluegrass Country|accessdate=February 8, 2024}}
Biography
=Early career=
Born in Santa Clara, California and raised in Palo Alto, Tuttle began playing guitar at age 8.
{{cite web|url=https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/molly-tuttle-is-ibmas-first-female-nominee-for-guitarist-of-the-year-and-shes-not-stopping-there/Content?oid=8360968|title=Molly Tuttle Is IBMA's First Female Nominee for Guitarist of the Year—And She's Not Stopping There|work=Indy Week|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Kat Harding|date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728101106/https://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/molly-tuttle-is-ibmas-first-female-nominee-for-guitarist-of-the-year-and-shes-not-stopping-there/Content?oid=8360968|archive-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.metrosiliconvalley.com/molly-tuttles-major-label-debut/|title=Molly Tuttle's Album Debut|work=Metro Silicon Valley|date=April 27, 2022|last=Palopoli|first=Steve|access-date=May 1, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/molly-tuttle-mn0002614308/biography|title=Molly Tuttle|last=Deming|first=Mark|publisher=allmusic|access-date=May 1, 2022}} At age 11, she played onstage with her father Jack Tuttle, a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist and instructor. At age 15, she joined her family band The Tuttles with AJ Lee. Her siblings Sullivan (guitar) and Michael (mandolin), and mandolist AJ Lee{{cite web|url=http://nodepression.com/article/aj-lee-flower-blooms-california-bluegrass|title=AJ Lee: A Flower Blooms in the California Bluegrass|work=No Depression|access-date=September 1, 2017|author=Easy Ed|date=June 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724075711/http://nodepression.com/article/aj-lee-flower-blooms-california-bluegrass|archive-date=July 24, 2017}} were also in the band.{{cite web|url=http://nodepression.com/article/molly-tuttle-homegrown-bluegrass-new-solo-album|title=Molly Tuttle: From Homegrown Bluegrass to a New Solo Album|work=No Depression Roland|date=August 16, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004224614/http://nodepression.com/article/molly-tuttle-homegrown-bluegrass-new-solo-album|archive-date=October 4, 2017}}
In 2006, at age 13, Tuttle recorded The Old Apple Tree with her dad, an album of duets.{{cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/26184-molly-tuttle-organic-acoustic|title=Molly Tuttle: Organic & Acoustic|work=Premier Guitar|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Adam Perlmutter|date=August 24, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516111020/https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/26184-molly-tuttle-organic-acoustic|archive-date=May 16, 2018}} Tuttle graduated from Palo Alto High School in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://palyvoice.com/19091/features/node-19091/|title=Paly student preserves tradition of bluegrass|work=The Paly Voice|date=December 10, 2007|access-date=May 1, 2022|quote=Molly Tuttle, a 14-year-old freshman at Paly, has been preserving the underappreciated tradition of performing bluegrass music for six years.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/molly-tuttle-2020-interview-2647068425.html|title=Molly Tuttle Discusses Honoring Music She Loves with a Fabulous New Covers LP|last=Bialas|first=Michael|work=PopMatters|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=May 1, 2022}}
In 2011, the Tuttles self-released their Introducing the Tuttles album,{{cite web|url=http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2011/02/northern-california-bluegrass-awards.html|title=Northern California Bluegrass Awards Says The Tuttles - Best Bluegrass Band|work=Prescription Bluegrass|access-date=September 30, 2017|date=February 3, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516111020/http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2011/02/northern-california-bluegrass-awards.html|archive-date=May 16, 2018}} and the Endless Ocean album in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/endless-ocean-the-tuttles-with-a-j-lee/|title=Endless Ocean – The Tuttles with A.J. Lee|work=Bluegrass Today|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=John Curtis Goad|date=July 22, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914160808/http://bluegrasstoday.com/endless-ocean-the-tuttles-with-a-j-lee/|archive-date=September 14, 2015}}
In 2012, Tuttle was awarded merit scholarships to the Berklee College of Music for music and composition,{{cite web|url=http://thedailycountry.com/news/dave-stewart-entertainment-announces-artist-shows-in-nashville|title=Dave Stewart Entertainment Announces Artist Shows in Nashville|work=The Daily Country|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Dave Stewart|date=January 27, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516111020/http://thedailycountry.com/news/dave-stewart-entertainment-announces-artist-shows-in-nashville|archive-date=May 16, 2018}} received the Foundation for Bluegrass Music's first Hazel Dickens Memorial Scholarship,{{cite web|url=http://www.scbs.org/2011/10/05/molly-tuttle-awarded-first-hazel-dickens-memorial-scholarship-will-celebrate-at-brown-barn-saturday/|title=Molly Tuttle Awarded First Hazel Dickens Memorial Scholarship, Will Celebrate At Brown Barn Saturday|work=Northern California Bluegrass Society|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Michael Hall|date=October 5, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516111020/http://www.scbs.org/2011/10/05/molly-tuttle-awarded-first-hazel-dickens-memorial-scholarship-will-celebrate-at-brown-barn-saturday/|archive-date=May 16, 2018}} won the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at the Merlefest Music Festival,{{cite web|url=http://www.nrtoday.com/a_and_e/music/the-molly-tuttle-band-is-coming-to-roseburg-on-may/article_b222e270-89a8-576c-84b5-9e8e9c1404d9.html|title=The Molly Tuttle Band is coming to Roseburg on May 7|work=News-Review|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Haylie Ellison|date=May 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709120721/http://www.nrtoday.com/a_and_e/music/the-molly-tuttle-band-is-coming-to-roseburg-on-may/article_b222e270-89a8-576c-84b5-9e8e9c1404d9.html|archive-date=July 9, 2017}} and appeared with her dad on A Prairie Home Companion.{{cite web|url=https://www.berklee.edu/news/student-molly-tuttle-performs-prairie-home-companion|title=Student Molly Tuttle Performs on Prairie Home Companion|work=Berklee College of Music|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Darry Madden|date=October 24, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174826/https://www.berklee.edu/news/student-molly-tuttle-performs-prairie-home-companion|archive-date=May 16, 2018|df=mdy-all}}
=Collaborations=
While studying at the Berklee College of Music, in 2014, Tuttle met and joined the all-female bluegrass group the Goodbye Girls. They combine bluegrass, jazz, and Swedish folk music.{{cite web|url=http://goodtimes.sc/santa-cruz-arts-entertainment/santa-cruz-music/preview-goodbye-girls-play-don-quixotes/|title=Preview: Goodbye Girls to Play Don Quixote's|work=GoodTimes Santa Cruz|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Cat Johnson|date=July 18, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122002/http://goodtimes.sc/santa-cruz-arts-entertainment/santa-cruz-music/preview-goodbye-girls-play-don-quixotes/|archive-date=October 1, 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://nodepression.com/interview/9-questions-newport-molly-tuttle-goodbye-girls|title=9 Questions to Newport: Molly Tuttle (of The Goodbye Girls)|work=No Depression|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Red Line Roots|date=May 27, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122535/http://nodepression.com/interview/9-questions-newport-molly-tuttle-goodbye-girls|archive-date=October 1, 2017}} The band has also toured Jonsson's home country Sweden several times.{{cite web|url=https://guitargirlmag.com/interviews/emerging-bluegrass-artist-molly-tuttle-influences-music-gear/|title=Emerging Bluegrass Artist Molly Tuttle on Influences, Music and Gear|work=Guitar Girl|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Alison Richter|date=September 20, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122914/https://guitargirlmag.com/interviews/emerging-bluegrass-artist-molly-tuttle-influences-music-gear/|archive-date=October 1, 2017}}
Tuttle also recorded Molly Tuttle & John Mailander, a duet EP with fiddler John Mailander.{{cite web|url=http://sandiegotroubadour.com/2014/05/molly-tuttle-john-mailander/|title=Molly Tuttle & John Mailander|work=San Diego Troubadour|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Paul Hormick|date=May 1, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516111024/https://sandiegotroubadour.com/2014/05/molly-tuttle-john-mailander/|archive-date=May 16, 2018}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/royal-traveller-missy-raines/|title=Royal Traveller - Missy Raines|date=December 11, 2018|website=bluegrasstoday.com|access-date=May 6, 2019}}
= Solo career =
File:Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway - Blue Ridge Music Center - Galax VA - September 03, 2022.jpg
In 2015, Tuttle moved from Boston to Nashville.{{cite web|url=http://www.redlineroots.com/2017/07/rising-pickin-balance-interview-molly-tuttle/|title=Rising Up, Pickin' The Balance: An Interview With Molly Tuttle|work=Red Line Roots|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Brian Carroll|date=July 14, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918093357/http://www.redlineroots.com/2017/07/rising-pickin-balance-interview-molly-tuttle/|archive-date=September 18, 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboysindians.com/2017/05/molly-tuttle-talks-with-ci-about-her-new-ep-rise/|title=Molly Tuttle Talks About Her New EP 'Rise'|work=Cowboys and Indians|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Kristin Brown|date=May 10, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630095041/http://www.cowboysindians.com/2017/05/molly-tuttle-talks-with-ci-about-her-new-ep-rise/|archive-date=June 30, 2017}} Guests included Darrell Scott, the Milk Carton Kids, Kathy Kallick, and Nathaniel Smith.{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/2017/06/discovery-molly-tuttle/|title=AS Discovery: Molly Tuttle|work=American Songwriter|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Brittney McKenna|date=June 30, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026105859/http://americansongwriter.com/2017/06/discovery-molly-tuttle/|archive-date=October 26, 2017}} She formed The Molly Tuttle Band, which included Wes Corbett (banjo), Joe K. Walsh (mandolin), and Hasee Ciaccio (bass). 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.{{cite web |url=http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_59cd8fcce4b0f3c468060d71|title=Molly Tuttle makes history at IBMA 2017|work=Huffington Post|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Lisa Snedeker|date=September 28, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/molly-tuttle-to-compass-records/|title=Molly Tuttle to Compass Records|work=Bluegrass Today|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=John Curtis Goad|date=September 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516111020/https://bluegrasstoday.com/molly-tuttle-to-compass-records/|archive-date=May 16, 2018}} Tuttle released her debut album When You're Ready via Compass Records on April 5, 2019. Next she released ... but I'd rather be with you again on Compass Records in August 2020.{{cite web |url=https://compassrecords.com/artist/molly-tuttle/|title=MOLLY TUTTLE |website=Compass Records|access-date=October 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004150215/https://compassrecords.com/artist/molly-tuttle/|archive-date=October 4, 2022}}
= Golden Highway =
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. 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.{{cite news |last1=Spencer |first1=Neil |title=Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway: City of Gold review – gritty country with pyrotechnics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/15/molly-tuttle-and-golden-highway-city-of-gold-review-gritty-country-with-pyrotechnics |newspaper=The Observer |date=July 15, 2023 |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |access-date=July 31, 2023}}
= New Band =
Tuttle announced the dissolution of Golden Highway in May 2025 with many band members pursuing solo careers. Simultaneously she revealed a new, all-female band that would begin touring with her in July.{{cite news |last1=Lawless |first1=John |title=New band for Molly Tuttle |url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/new-band-for-molly-tuttle/ |access-date=3 June 2025 |agency=Bluegrass Today |date=15 May 2025}}
Personal life
Tuttle was diagnosed with alopecia areata when she was three years old, which quickly progressed to alopecia universalis, resulting in total body hair loss.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mollytuttlemusic.com/alopeciaareata|title=Alopecia Areata|website=Molly Tuttle}}
Discography
=Solo albums=
=The Goodbye Girls=
- 2014: Going to Boston (self-released)
- 2016: Snowy Side of the Mountain (self-released)
=Molly Tuttle and John Mailander=
- 2014: Molly Tuttle and John Mailander EP (Back Studio)
=The Tuttles With AJ Lee=
- 2012: Introducing the Tuttles with AJ Lee (self-released)
- 2013: Endless Ocean (self-released)
=Molly and Jack Tuttle=
- 2007: The Old Apple Tree (Back Studio)
=As a featured artist=
- 2015: Mile Rocks - Mile Rocks and Friends (Audio & Video Labs)
- 2017: AJ Lee - AJ Lee (self-released)
- 2017: Korby Lenker - Thousand Springs (Relativity)
- 2017: Bobby Osborne - Original (Compass)
- 2017: Billy Strings - Turmoil & Tinfoil (Apostol)
- 2019: Old Crow Medicine Show - "Live at the Ryman" (Columbia)
- 2021: Béla Fleck - "My Bluegrass Heart" (Renew)
- 2025: Ringo Starr - "I Live for Your Love"
- 2025: Ringo Starr - "Can You Hear Me Call"
Awards and nominations
{{note|1}}A. with Missy Raines, Alison Brown, Becky Buller and Sierra Hull
{{note|2}}B. Molly Tuttle (artist), Molly Tuttle/Sarah Siskind (writer)
{{note|3}}C. with Roland White, Justin Hiltner, Jon Weisberger and Patrick McAvinue
{{note|4}}D. with Peter Rowan and Lindsay Lou
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{URL|mollytuttlemusic.com/|Official website}}
- {{URL|thetuttleswithajlee.com/|The Tuttles with A.J. Lee website}}
- {{URL|thegoodbyegirlsmusic.com/the-goodbye-girls/|Goodbye Girls website}}
- {{AllMusic | id= molly-tuttle-mn0002614308 | label= Molly Tuttle}}
- {{discogs artist|4630088-Molly-Tuttle-2|Molly Tuttle}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tuttle, Molly}}
Category:American bluegrass guitarists
Category:American bluegrass musicians
Category:Singer-songwriters from California
Category:American women country singers
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:Country musicians from California
Category:Palo Alto High School alumni
Category:People from Santa Clara, California
Category:Musicians from Palo Alto, California