Singer, Songwriter, Banjo Player Abigail Washburn

Abigail Washburn always considered singing and songwriting a sideline and never thought she could make a career of it. But a sharp-eared music exec knew better. After overhearing her play at a bluegrass convention, he signed her on the spot to a Nashville record deal. She set aside her plans to become a lawyer in China, took up music full time, turned out a series of highly regarded albums and began a musical partnership with banjo master Béla Fleck. Then came love, marriage, baby carriage – and now their first duo album. Abby and I talked about her highly empathetic approach to song, the evolution of her voice, how a suburban Midwestern girl became a countrified tunesmith and how she and Béla learned to blend their two very different banjo styles and sensibilities.