Natalie Tomlinson

Natalie Tomlinson (b. May 15, 1998) is a traditional bluegrass fiddle player from the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. Her biggest influences are Kenny Baker, Curly Ray Cline, Paul Warren, Tommy Jackson, Arthur Smith, and Chubby Wise, and she has a deep love for TRADITIONAL bluegrass music. She has been a member of the young, hard-driving, traditional bluegrass band out of Whitesburg, KY, Sunrise Ridge, since 2015. In addition to performing with bands weekly, she’s worked at the Jenny Wiley Theatre in Pikeville, KY and has performed at places such as the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, VA and the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, KY.

She graduated from the professional studio artist program at HCTC’s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music with numerous honors in May 2018, and she will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management to help further her career.

On July 10, 2018, Natalie Tomlinson released her first album — “Lucky 13.” The album consists entirely of traditional fiddle tunes, with a couple exceptions. and special guests include my friends Virgil Bowlin (formerly of Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers), Scott Napier (formerly of Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, now with Lost and Found), KSBTM director Dean Osborne, Grand Ole Opry member Bobby Osborne, The Price Sisters, Jim Harp, and her band, Sunrise Ridge. She even had the opportunity and honor to record with the historic black fiddle (“Blackie”) of my favorite fiddle player, Kenny Baker, on “Road to Columbus” and “Jerusalem Ridge (with The Price Sisters).” (“Jerusalem Ridge” was even 3:34, the same length as the original Kenny Baker recording!)

This project began as coursework in the Recording IV class at KSBTM, but as time went on, they all decided to turn it into a full-blown album! “I wanted to put out an album that’s styled just a little bit different than what you usually hear in today’s time. I want to bring back the tradition!”

It was recorded, mixed, and mastered from January – May 2018 at the school by Virgil Bowlin and Natalie Tomlinson.

“It is everything I could’ve ever wanted included in an album, and it really is a dream come true. I’d call it an album made by friends, because so many of my friends came together to help me out, and I couldn’t have done it without them! They don’t know how much I appreciate them. We’re all so proud of this project. They can be bought for $10 in person, or $14 (the extra $4 is for shipping) via PayPal (PayPal.me/NTmusic) or a money order. More information can be found inside the album itself, through my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NatalieTomlinsonMusic, or by email, natalietomlinsonfiddle@gmail.com. “