Breakfast With The President, Gasoline & Banjos

Well friends, it’s been an interesting and busy week to say the least. I haven’t seemed to catch up on sleep yet, and the coming week doesn’t seem so promising either! Oh well, “I’m young right? Who needs sleep?” – Unfortunately, my sore throat doesn’t agree so much!

Anyways, it seems like only a few days ago that I was writing about my trip with the band to Washington, D.C. This past week I returned to D.C. to perform with Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski at the National Prayer Breakfast. I flew last Monday into Nashville for a rehearsal before flying with everyone to D.C. Thank goodness that I did, or I probably wouldn’t have made it out of Boston for a few days because of the big snow storm. Luckily for me – school was cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday (which means I don’t have a load of work to make up – YAY!)

Ok! On with my story - The actual breakfast was an early morning event in which we played two hymns – I Know Who Holds Tomorrow and Abide With Me. The event takes place every year at the Washington Hilton and is hosted by all of Congress and attended by the President. This year was the 59th annual. There were about 3,500 people packed in the ballroom and reportedly representatives from over 150 different countries. Though I don’t tend to be extremely political, I was so thrilled to be part of an event all about something that does mean so much to me – Prayer. It was also a pleasure to get to meet, Randall Wallace, writer of some excellent movies such as, Brave Heart, We Were Soldiers, Pearl Harbor. He gave an amazing keynote speech at the breakfast. We also played 4 songs at the closing dinner later that night which was very fun as well! I was able to meet author, William P. Young, who wrote The Shack, who also gave a very touching speech about his faith. It’s of course always such a joy to get to sing with two of my favorite singers ever – Dan and Alison. I’m always reminded just how much I LOVE to sing harmony in a situation like that. We did two accapella songs at the closing dinner – so fun!

I think if you do a search on youtube there are a couple videos from the performance that morning that were on C-SPAN. :)

After flying back to Nashville I had to make a quick run over to the office to meet the guys for our band rehearsal. We were supposed to rehearse with our new banjo player, but unfortunately got a call from him that morning letting me know that he had decided to accept a job with a different band. Not exactly good news, and it’s unfortunate for us as it felt good to finally hire someone and we were all pumped to rehearse. BUT, I truly do believe that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord! And as I fail to do so often, I believe we should praise Him even in times when things don’t go our way. I know He knows what’s best for this band and will see things through as he sees best. The guys and I certainly wish Jessie the best! We ended up rehearsing both Friday and Saturday. I really love the new material. It’s so fun and refreshing to play these new tunes, and I really hope you guys will like them! I’m really excited to get out and play a bunch in March in support of the new record. With the release date being moved back to the earlier date, it really forced our booking agency to get on the ball and start booking, booking, booking. I’m really happy with the progress they have made the last few weeks and it will be GREAT to be out on the road with a brand new album! Our wonderful and faithful friend, Ron Block will be going out with us on the March Tour – what a shame! ;) haha

Ok – so enough serious talk – let’s get REALLY serious. I did something dumb today. Ran out of gas on I-40. There’s really no excuse for something like this other than my lack of responsibility. I’ve mostly been in Boston for the past year and a half, and my car stays in Nashville so that when I fly in to work/ect. I have a car! Well, at the end of last summer my fuel gauge stopped working and always says I’m on empty. My gaslight is ALWAYS on. So, I took my car to Nissan where I have it serviced and they quoted fixing it for like $400. I decided at the time since I was hardly driving it that I would just wait to have it fixed. Not long ago, I got an extended warranty in the mail from Nissan saying that this was a problem with many of the year models like mine and that I could get it fixed for free! (Sweet, huh?) Except, I’ve not been home long enough to get it done! SO, I always have to remember to fill up. Before driving to Alison’s for rehearsal I put $30 worth in the tank, which normally does me just fine for a short trip into Nashville. I guess $30 just doesn’t get you as far as it used to these days. Anyways, I was driving to Cookeville, TN to meet my mom for lunch before I flew out today. Luckily my brother and two of his friends had drove down to Nashville for the weekend to go to SPBGMA and were following me and able to rescue me! I had given my brother a birthday card right before we started driving and it had $20 dollars in it. Thankfully so, because he used that $20 bucks to buy me a gas jug! Hahaha Anyways – boring story.

My own little personal version of TripleA!

Ok folks, that’s all for now. I’m currently soaring through the air on a big Southwest plane headed back to Boston! Yes, that’s correct. I booked a flight during the Super Bowl. I know.. I’m so not cool!!

As always, thanks for reading! :)

Sierra

Press Photo Three

Photo by Delman

Sierra To Perform At The National Prayer Breakfast

Sierra will be performing with label mate Alison Krauss at this year’s National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC on February 3.  The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event attended by President Obama and held on the first Thursday of February each year. The event is hosted by members of Congress and is attended by some 3,500 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries.

Recently Rounder announced the release of her third album, Daybreak.  Due March 8, the album was produced by Union Station bassist Barry Bales and features 12 songs – 7 of which were written by Hull.  Mandolinist Chris Thile (Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers) had this to say about Daybreak; “Sierra’s extraordinary ear and innate musicality are well-evidenced by this, her second LP.  It’s a joy to hear her realizing her seemingly limitless potential.”

One of the most respected artists in the new school of bluegrass, Hull has received 5 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) nominations in the past 3 years and is the first bluegrass musician to receive Berklee School of Music’s prestigious Presidential Scholarship.

Ready, Set.. GO!

Well, folks.. I feel like this past week really got me back into travel mode after a pretty good vacation for the holidays. The past week started out by flying back up to Boston and getting settled for my 4th semester at Berklee. (Yes, 4th! Hard to believe it's already here!) This semester will be my final semester at Berklee as I will be graduating with a special Artist Diploma in Performance. I actually found out that I won't be fully complete with my credits in time to graduate in May, BUT the school is so amazingly supportive and they are going to work with me to finish my remaining credits online/telecommute so that I can still make the move to Nashville during the summer. I am so blessed to go to a college with such a wonderful group of supporters. The teachers at Berklee truly want to see their students succeed and I'm so thankful they have worked so hard to help me with all the craziness that is my schedule both at school and on the road. Anyways... on to this past week - I flew up to Boston late last Sunday night just in time to get my things unpacked, clothes washed and then repacked to leave the next morning for NYC. The last month or so, I've been working on producing the music excerpts for a new stage show called Appalachia Tour. Here's a little info about the production from the website that explains better than I could:

THE STORY BLUEGRASS MOONSHINE birth of NASCAR

Inspired by the book Driving with the Devil–engaging storytelling, live bluegrass music and historical film footage tell the story of the Appalachian mountain people; their heritage, their migration south from the whiskey-taxing Northeast to Appalachia, and how their moonshine-making ways and legendary ‘runners’ became the renegade drivers of NASCAR...

A moving story of how ‘moonshiners’ and their need for fast cars created a sport the south could call its own–true blue American originals in the foothills of Appalachia where moonshine and bluegrass music were a way of life–creations of the Scots-Irish migrants.

Storyteller Baxter Black and superb live music combine perfectly to create the ultimate NASCAR history experience and a spectacular entertaining stage performance.

When asked to work on this project, the idea came up to find 3 Berklee musicians to perform the music on the road as the show tours the performing arts centers alongside the cities in which the official NASCAR races are held. So.. auditions were held, and Courtney Hartman, Trent Freeman and Lukas Pool were selected! They are doing a great job in setting the mood for the story line. I think it's going to be a really cool show to see especially for anyone that is interested in NASCAR. The story will be told by Baxter Black, a true gentleman and a real cowboy. (www.baxterblack.com) Check it out!

After leaving New York, I had a couple days back in Boston before flying to D.C. to perform last night with the band at The Kennedy Center. It was our first show of the year, so it felt very much like getting back in the swing of performing again, but we really had a great time. We had a big crowd and of course, it was just an honor to get to play at such a renowned venue.

Here's a clip from the show:

I have so many things on my mind and heart musically. I certainly want to grow so much this year as a musician and especially a singer. I can't wait to see how we grow as a band this year as well. We are very excited to announce our newest member of the band, Jessie Baker. Jessie is an awesome musician and we can't wait to work with him! He will play his first show with the band in March! So excited and inspired to to work on some new things.

Check out Jessie Baker jumps to Highway 111.

Well, that's all for now... more to come soon! :)

Sierra

2011

Well, here we are! 2011! So hard to believe how quickly this past year flew by. As I look back at all the blessing in my life, I'm always brought down to earth in a hurry. It's easy to sometimes get so busy and not realize all the amazing ways God is blessing us. My life has changed so much in the last few years. I feel like I've been hit with life right in the face! Good and bad! This age I am in can be tough in so many ways, but extremely rewarding and exciting. More responsibilities. More worries along the way at times. More searching and LOTS of praying to make the best decisions possible. BUT, with it comes true independence, which can be a very inspiring thing in itself. As most of you already know, I've spent the past year and a half mostly in Boston going to Berklee College of Music. It's been amazing. I've made so many friends and what seemed like a somewhat last minute and scary move to make in Sept. of '09 has proven to be a decision I don't at all regret. This month, I'll be going into my fourth and final semester there. I'll be graduating in May with a special Artist Diploma in Performance. I will certainly miss Boston, but I'm also looking forward to getting on with the next chapter in my life. I'm excited to be making plans to move to Nashville in May as well, something I've been dreaming of doing since I was a little girl. It will also be very nice to be back home in beautiful Tennessee as well, and closer to my family.

I'm very anxious and excited about this year for so many reasons. One big reason, is having a new album coming out. Daybreak will be released on March 8th! The band and I just spent the last 3 days in Nashville rehearsing the new material. It's very refreshing to have new songs and ideas after playing off of mostly one album for the past couple of years. I can't wait to get back on the road with those guys. I feel like we are really starting to gel as a band, but we still have SO much to work on. I couldn't ask for better friends or musicians to work with. We will play our first 2011 tour date on Jan. 22 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. which we are all looking forward to!

Well folks, more news and updates to come soon. I just wanted to share a few thoughts and wish everyone a blessed new year! Can't wait to see you guys out on the trail somewhere soon!

All the Best, Sierra

Bluegrass Moonshine Birth of NASCAR Tour Begins Rehearsals

Rehearsals began December 11 at New Haven’s acclaimed Long Wharf Theatre for The Appalachian Tour: Bluegrass, Moonshine & The Birth of NASCAR, preparing for a 2011 national tour. Casting has been completed for the multi-media theatrical production inspired by Neal Thompson’s book, Driving with the Devil - Southern Moonshine, Detroit wheels and the Birth of NASCAR.

“It was wonderful to finally see a year’s work come to life on stage”, said scriptwriter David Capasso, whose company is the show’s executive producer. “Although the production has two acts, two scenes each, we rehearsed and blocked act 1 scene 2, which is the heart of the story detailing the trials and tribulations of the Appalachian mountain folk, the people who made NASCAR possible through their moonshining activities.”

The show combines engaging storytelling, live bluegrass and old-time mountain music and historical film footage to tell the story of the Appalachian mountain people; their heritage, their migration south from the whiskey-taxing Northeast to Appalachia, their moonshine making and how their legendary moonshine ‘runners’ became the first generation of renegade drivers for NASCAR...

The storyteller, Baxter Black, supported by live music under the direction of Sierra Hull, creates the ultimate NASCAR historic experience and spectacularly entertaining stage performance. The musicians onstage are all handpicked from The Berklee College of Music’s groundbreaking Roots program -- Trent Freeman on fiddle, Lukas Pool on banjo and Courtney Hartman on guitar and lead vocals.

Invited guests to the closed rehearsal included Mary Taylor Doub, promoter of the award-winning Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and Janet Brightly, head of Grey Fox sponsor development, along with a couple dozen attendees invited to provide feedback for the production. Mary Taylor Doub: “Loved being at the first rehearsal...it was like being at a birth. I really feel it will be amazing...”

Ms. Doub’s sentiments were echoed by all. The Appalachian Tour races out of the box, incorporating old-time and bluegrass music in a stage production featuring musicians breaking out of their usual performance “clusters” to freely move about the stage, their characters and  music driving the narration is a creative, exciting departure from the usual static “concert” setting.

Sierra Hull, music director: “The show is different from a performer’s perspective. Here, you’re directed not to play to the audience, not even to the storyteller. The musicians and their music are characters within the show, it’s new and it took a while to feel comfortable, but Trent, Lukas and Courtney fell right into their roles.” It’s also a new role for her, she adds. “For me, it was odd not playing. My instinct was to perform, but as music director, selecting the ‘period’ music to support the script and working with the team provided me an opportunity to explore new avenues of music. It’s great fun.”

The production was officially announced at this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass in Nashville; Baxter Black and Sierra Hull, as well as others involved were in attendance discussing the show and its planned 2011 tour.

A second series of rehearsals will begin mid-January, at which time the entire show will be ‘digitally captured’ by the New York City-based American Movie Company, which specializes in ‘filming’ stage productions. A premier ‘webcast’ is planned for March, and the show will begin touring soon thereafter. For more information visit appalachiatour.com

Sierra & Highway 111 Receive 2 IBMA Nominations!

Congratulations to Sierra and the band on their 2010 IBMA nominations! Thanks to all who voted, and please remember to consider Sierra and the guys when casting your final votes.

Sierra Hull & Highway 111 - "Emerging Artist Of the Year" Sierra - "Mandolin Player Of the Year"

The awards will be held on Thursday, September 30th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.

For more information on IBMA and to see a listing of all the 2010 Nominees, please visit: www.ibma.org

10 Questions For Sierra Hull

By Mandolin Cafe

April 5, 2010 - 12:00 pm

Sierra Hull lives to play the mandolin and perform, let's make that clear from the start.

Closing in on two years since the release of her highly acclaimed solo recording Secrets, she's nearing the completion of her first year at Boston's acclaimed Berklee College of Music, attending under a Presidential Scholarship, a grant established to bring the world's best young musicians to study at Berklee.

Not one to slow down for school, Sierra held down a grueling touring schedule on weekends since arriving in Boston and recently completed a new instructional mandolin DVD for AcuTab entitled Sierra Hull - Secrets Songs & Tunes.

While other first-year college students were hitting the beach during Spring Break, Sierra opted for a week in the recording studio in Nashville preparing a new project.

Less than two years since Bill Graham interviewed her for his Mandolin Cafe feature article Beautiful Music: Sierra Just Is, so much has happened to the young star from Tennessee that we thought it was time to catch up with her about life away from home, her new instructional DVD and continuing rise to fame in the bluegrass world.

Mandolin Cafe: Congratulations on your new instructional DVD on AcuTab where you're presenting material from your Secrets recording on Rounder and other favorites of yours.

Sierra Hull: Thanks! I'm so excited that it's finally out. I spent hours when I was younger watching instructional DVDs and learned so much from them. I didn't imagine I'd ever be someone that was asked to actually make one teaching my music, and I'm so honored to think that anyone would want to learn about anything I do as a mandolin player.

Mandolin Cafe: Like a great studio recording, a lot of hours go into the video production of an AcuTab instructional DVD. What was the experience like and how many hours of your own time do you estimate went into the final product?

Sierra Hull: We did put a lot of work in to it, but the process of doing something like this was much different than making a record for me. I was amazed at how quickly we were able to make it. Ron Block and I actually went to Virginia to the AcuTab studio and recorded his banjo DVD and my DVD at the same time. Within the course of 4 days or so, we recorded both.

Mandolin Cafe: After recording Secrets, performing selections from it in concert over the past two years and presenting the information on the DVD, you've spent a lot of time with this material. Do you find yourself looking forward to writing and creating new music as a result?

Sierra Hull: Oh, definitely. I feel like Secrets was made so long ago at this point. I've changed a lot since then. I love that material and have enjoyed performing it since then, but like anything, it's exciting to be working on new music. I've spent a lot of time since then really trying to work on writing new material. Mostly vocals, but some instrumentals as well. Since being at Berklee I have definitely worked on a lot of new things that I probably wouldn't have had the chance to otherwise. It's been great.

Mandolin Cafe: The tone coming out of the Weber mandolin on the instructional DVD is just spectacular. Could you tell us about this instrument, how long you've owned it and how you came to own it?

Sierra Hull: Well, first off, that Weber is a great instrument. One of the best Webers I've heard, and I was really happy when they decided to give me that particular one. They contacted me a few years ago about playing one, and at the time, I was really looking for a new instrument and decided to give it a try and loved it. It's a distressed Fern, and not only does it sound great, but I love the way it looks.

Mandolin Cafe: Do you remember making a conscious effort in your earlier years to work towards the tone you're known for or did it just come naturally?

Sierra Hull: Well, I don't know that I really tried to work on it as much as I have just always known what I think sounds good and have worked to sound that way. Some people have completely different tone, and I can love them both for different reasons. I think every player kinda has to settle in on what best suites their style of playing. That's really all I've tried to do.

Mandolin Cafe: You grew up acknowledging the influence of musicians like Alison Krauss and Chris Thile, yet it seems you've moved to a level where the role is reversed and you're now admired by a lot of young players. Have you spent much time pondering your place as a role model in the concert setting and off-stage?

Sierra Hull: Oh gosh, not really. I mean, it's amazing to me to think that any young person would look up to me. I can't imagine someone admiring me the way I have all of my heroes. Probably because I'm still like a little kid in so many ways when I think of how much I love listening to my heroes play. And I have so many. I'm not sure you ever lose that kind of admiration. It's a sweet thought though and makes me feel good.

Sierra Hull's Secret Songs and Tunes instruction DVD from AcuTab

Mandolin Cafe: If you were asked to lend advice to one of those young musicians wanting to follow in your footsteps, what would that advice be?

Sierra Hull: I guess my biggest advice would be to keep having fun. I mean, having fun is the only thing that will make you want to continue to get better and better. When a lot of people start playing really young, I think they can find themselves burnt out by the time they are in their late teens. I'd just say, dream big, but take it slow and never let anything get in the way of having fun.

Mandolin Cafe: You're now in your second semester at Berklee School of Music. Boston is a long way from Byrdstown, Tennessee. How has the adjustment of life away from home gone for you?

Sierra Hull: Berklee has been great, and I am happy that I decided to go, but it was definitely a big adjustment moving from little bitty Byrdstown. Luckily, I was on the road a ton with the band during my first semester, so it made settling harder, but somewhat easier if that makes sense :).

Mandolin Cafe: We understand you were in the studio over Spring Break working on a new recording. Any estimated release date or other information you can share about this project for your fans?

Sierra Hull: Yes, actually, I'm in the studio right now as I answer these questions. I'm so happy to be working on a new project. Not sure when it will actually be released, but we are hoping to have it done by the end of April. I've been working with Barry Bales on this project, and it's been a really fun time and great experience. Musicians on the record as of now are the guys in my band: Jacob Eller, Clay Hess, Cory Walker, Christian Ward. And then some of my favorites: Barry Bales, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton and Randy Kohrs. Other expected guests will be Ron Block, Shawn Lane, Alison Krauss and Ronnie Bowman.

Mandolin Cafe: Every college student has their own preferred late night caffeine/sugar treat for getting that extra bit of studying, or in your case, some extra practicing under their belt. What's Sierra's secret?

Sierra Hull: Ahh... Well, I live right across the street from a Starbucks, so I go in there pretty often. Late at night, however, there is a place called Sepreme's not far from where I live that I go when nothing else is open. They have some REALLY good soft serve ice cream. Other than that, if I'm desperate enough, I just raid the vending machine for a candy bar or a rice crispy treat!

Sierra In The Studio!

We are happy to announce that Sierra will be heading into the studio in only 12 days to begin work on a new album!!

The project on Rounder Records will be produced by Grammy Award Winning artist & bass player, Barry Bales of Alison Krauss & Union Station. Updates will be posted as they go into the studio, along with pictures and blogs! Fans can also follow along on Sierra's Artist Facebook Page, Twitter, and Sierra's online "On the Road" blog!

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

ONLINE TOUR BLOG

American Revival Tour Kicking off this week!!

The American Revival Tour officially billed as "American Revival: Celebrating the New Stars of American Roots Music", will kick off this Thursday, October 29th at Stewart Theater in Raleigh, North Carolina. This month long tour will feature some great music from Sierra Hull & Highway 111, Uncle Earl and the Dixie Bee-Liners. The national tour will cover cities throughout the American Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest.

Check the schedule for a complete list of dates as the tour may be coming to a city near you!!

Sierra Receives Presidential Award Scholarship

Sierra Hull, the 18 year old fret wizard from central Tennessee will also soon be packing her grip for the long, long trip to New England, where she will study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Like most high school seniors, Sierra spent a lot of time this past year pondering college, but unlike most of her contemporaries, she was also considering the trade-offs between furthering her education and pursuing an already burgeoning career as a performer and recording artist. Her debut CD, Secrets, was released in 2008, she fronts her own band (Highway 111), and maintains a very active touring schedule all over the US and Canada.

Recently, Sierra shared some of the thoughts that passed through her mind during the decision-making process.

“Berklee was really the only school that made me think very much about actually going on to study music at a college level. Prior to thinking about Berklee, I really didn’t imagine going to college due to the fact that I really want to tour a lot and do what I love - be on the road, make records, play with a band, etc.

They first contacted me when I was a sophomore in high school and at that point I’d never even heard of Berklee. They wanted to let me know that if I was considering studying music after high school that they’d love to have me come to school there. I didn’t think all that much about it then, until people starting saying… ‘Berklee! Wow… that’s a great school!’ So when my senior year of high school rolled around, I really started thinking that it was probably a good idea to at least have options, and that I should pursue the idea a little more and see what all Berklee had to offer. Alison Krauss really encouraged me to at least go check it out.

So… in February, I spent 3 days in Boston touring the college, meeting instructors and students, and discussing my situation. I was amazed to see how supportive Berklee really was of musicians that already have careers going and my current situation. After all - isn’t that the whole idea? For a music school to uplift and support musicians who choose music as a career? I guess it just took a while for me to realize just how supportive they were going to be. I immediately realized upon my visit in February that I was going to be very supported whether I decided to come to school at Berklee, or whether I decided to just go ahead and play music full time.

That really helped the pressure level along the way, and made me respect the staff and faculty very much.”

Berklee was indeed very interested in Sierra. At IBMA 2008, Berklee President Roger Brown was lobbying her hard - not unlike a coach recruiting a standout ball player they hoped to sign. Wherever she was, Brown or Berklee professor David Hollender was sure to go.

I’m sure that the attention was flattering, but moving to New England proved to be the biggest hurdle for her to leap.

“With all of these things pending with Berklee, I still hated the fact that Boston is such a long way from home. That in itself made the decision harder than you’d probably know. Having traveled a lot in the last few years, I’ve not been one to get homesick very much, but I imagine moving that far from home will bring a great deal of that along the way. With that in mind, I started thinking - ‘you know, if Berklee was in Nashville, there would be no question! I’d just go to school there.’ It was then that I started looking into Belmont University.

Claire Armbruster set me up with a visit there and we went to check it out. Belmont is such a beautiful and highly respected school and one that I would have enjoyed going to as well. Being in Nashville would have been so ideal also. However, it is not a fully focused music school and the music scholarships available there are much lower than Berklee, so that also influenced my decision.”

Sierra told us that she hasn’t yet decided where she will focus her studies at Berklee.

“There are so many options, that I almost feel like it’ll be hard for me to know until I get up there and actually experience it on some kind of level. Of course it would make sense for me to study mandolin, but I’d also really love to take some vocal classes and really learn to improve my singing as well.

I don’t know how to read music either, so I’d love to learn how to read as much as possible.”

She is also the recipient of Berklee’s Presidential Award scholarship, offered to only 3 or 4 incoming students each year. It is a “full ride” scholarship, never before offered to a bluegrass musician.

“I never imagined that they would give me of all people this scholarship, but I’m really grateful that they did. In fact, it’s probably the deciding factor in why I have decided to go to school. As you would imagine, Berklee is a really, really expensive school. With this scholarship, I am able to go to school completely free. It covers all of the tuition, the registration fees, housing and food as well as a free laptop.”

Having discussed this question with her at some length last year, I was curious what led her to to choose school and gigging over focusing full time on performing.

“There were a lot of factors that made me finally decided to give Berklee a try. I certainly put a lot of prayer and tears into the decision and still feel a little nervous about it all, but I do believe that God will lead me in the right direction. After all, He’s really the only one that knows what’s best for me in the long run.

Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love playing music, and how much I have longed to get out of high school and play music full time. There’s no way for me to try to put playing festival and gigs on the back burner completely to go to school, and I would never do that because that is where my heart truly is.

I was able to maintain a pretty busy tour schedule being in high school through working hard and having teachers that really understood my situation. I really feel like Berklee is going to be a similar environment. They all know where I am coming from and understand my situation and desire to continue touring and playing with the band.”

We also asked Sierra what she values in a music education, even as her professional career is taking off.

“The things you can learn with music are completely endless. I don’t believe that anyone could ever learn everything there is to know. So, in my opinion, just going to school doesn’t mean that you will learn everything you need to know in order to have a good career. I believe everything I have learned about music so far to be from personal experiences throughout the past 9 years. I’d still feel positive about just deciding to put school on the back burner and touring full time.

However, I really feel like God is giving me such a great opportunity to hopefully have the best of both worlds. Going to a school like Berklee will certainly just broaden my musical visions and open a lot of doors that I might not get to experience otherwise.

I’m not a believer that college is for everyone. For myself, I am totally someone who would enjoy going to college. I’ve always been one to study hard in school and do my best to make good grades. But if someone doesn’t have the drive it takes to actually go to college and soak in as much as they can, I think it can be a waste of time and money.

I’d definitely encourage it to those who have a hunger for learning and want to musically be all that they can be.”

We wondered whether Sierra had any Boston networking in place, and what her parents thought about he move so far from home.,

“I don’t know a whole lot of people in Boston to be honest. I kind of feel like I am just totally about to take on this journey with only God by my side!

However, I know that isn’t the case. I do have plenty of people that I know will be supportive and helpful as I go along. All the folks at Berklee have already made me feel like part of the gang and are just wonderful people. Rounder Records is just around the corner as well, so I’m lucky to have some friends up there too!

As far as my folks go - I know they really love me and will hate to see me go, but they are really happy for me. They totally left this decision up to me and have supported me in deciding to go which means a lot to me.

I’m lucky to have the parents I do.”

The Bluegrass Blog congratulates Sierra Hull on her scholarship, and Berklee on landing her as a student. I suspect that the simple fact of her attendance will get more young bluegrass musicians looking at Berklee next year.