Violinist Kristin Wilkinson To Be Honored As Next ‘Nashville Cat’

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Classically-trained violinist Kristin Wilkinson will be featured in the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum’s in-depth interview series, “Nashville Cats” on Saturday, Nov. 16 in the museum’s Ford Theater.

Wilkinson grew up in Philadelphia and Ocean City, New Jersey, and began her music training at an early age, studying through her high school years with one of the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra’s violinists. She 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 had the opportunity to arrange strings for Alabama, with whom she collaborated on several albums.

One of Nashville’s most in-demand string arrangers, Wilkinson has accumulated hundreds of credits on country, rock and pop projects since the 1980s. She has contributed to recordings for Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, Trisha Yearwood and Country Music Hall of Fame member Willie Nelson. For live performances, she has worked with Brandi Carlile, Regina Spektor and Chris Stapleton. In 2024, she collaborated with Greta Van Fleet to arrange the overture for the band’s world tour.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart employed Wilkinson to arrange strings on his albums and for special events, including his 2019 residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for composing the score to the film All the Pretty Horses (2000) alongside Stuart and Larry Paxton. Wilkinson has also done an extensive amount of work for TV, including arrangements for the CMA awards, the annual CMA Country Christmas television special and CMT’s Artists of the Year events.

The interview will be moderated by museum writer-editor Jon Freeman and will be illustrated with vintage photos, film and recordings. “Nashville Cats” is included with museum admission and free to museum members, but seating is limited, and a program ticket is required for admittance.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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