Her joy is absolutely infectious, her talent overflowing. Instead of a midlife crisis, Alabama singer Claire Lynch is having a midlife celebration. Now that her kids are raised, this gifted and delightful singer and songwriter is stepping out, which gives us all cause to celebrate. “I’m able to focus on my music 100 percent, and I’ve never been able to do that,” Lynch said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. I had two beautiful kids. Now I’m jumping in with both feet and it’s been fun, creative and overwhelming.”

Long been regarded by knowledgeable producers as one of country music’s finest talents, Lynch’s exquisite harmonies have graced albums by Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Ralph Stanley. Patty Loveless, The Seldom Scene, Cherryholmes, The Whites and many others have recorded her songs. Lynch’s style is a pleasing and hard-to-categorize mix of bluegrass, country, blues and acoustic sounds. Her gorgeous, fluid voice with its saucy, bluesy flair is unmistakable, and she can launch a lyric straight through the heart.

Today, Lynch leads a band that is among the best in bluegrass and a perfect complement to her talents. As one admirer put it, “I can’t image a better, happier band and Claire Lynch is possibly the warmest, most inclusive, sincere, most down to earth and engaging performer I have ever seen.”

Claire is the recipient of an International Bluegrass Music Association (IMBA) Female Vocalist of the Year award and has two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album. Jim Hurst (guitar, banjo, vocals) has two IMBA Guitar Player of the Year awards, and Mark Schatz (bass, clawhammer banjo and percussive dance) has two IMBA Bass Player of the Year awards. The band’s newest member is the accomplished multi-instrumentalist Jason Thomas who contributes on mandolin, fiddle and vocals.