Classically trained violist Kristin Wilkinson is one of Nashville’s most in-demand string arrangers. She has accumulated hundreds of high-profile credits on country, rock, and pop projects since the 1980s. Originally from Philadelphia, Wilkinson began her music training at an early age, learning from a violinist at the Philadelphia Orchestra, and later parlayed that experience into playing fiddle in the pioneering all-women bluegrass band Buffalo Gals. One of her first big breaks in country music came when she got the opportunity to arrange strings for a young group calling themselves Alabama, with whom she ended up collaborating on several albums. As an arranger, Wilkinson has worked on recordings with a wide swath of musicians, including Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, and Trisha Yearwood. For live performances, she has worked with everyone from Brandi Carlile to Chris Stapleton to Greta Van Fleet. Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart has long worked with Wilkinson, employing her to arrange strings on his albums as well as for special events, including his 2019 residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Wilkinson has also done an extensive amount of work for television, including arrangements for the Country Music Association Awards, the annual CMA Country Christmas television special, and CMT’s Artists of the Year events. She has made forays into film as well, earning a Golden Globe nomination for composing the score to 2000’s All the Pretty Horses alongside Marty Stuart and Larry Paxton. This interview will be moderated by the Museum’s Jon Freeman and will be illustrated with photos, film clips, and recordings. Ford Theater. Included with Museum admission. Program ticket required. Free to Museum members.
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