Alison Krauss, the celebrated bluegrass artist, is feeling reflective as she embarks on a long-awaited tour with Union Station, her first in over a decade.
At 53, Krauss admits to juggling concerns about both her home life and her touring commitments.
“I worry about home stuff when I’m gone, and I worry about the road stuff when I’m home,” she shared during preparations for a show in Texas.
However, this time around, her experience on the road comes with unexpected benefits.
Krauss noted, “It’s very pleasant on the road, and I have come to realize that there’s a much more consistent life on the road.”
She appreciates the predictability of touring and how it allows her to focus, adding, “But what has really been amazing is that we have received the warmest and sweetest welcome from people that seem to be so happy that we are back out and doing this.”
One of the most surprising elements of this reunion is how it has rekindled her connection with her bandmates.
“It’s almost like remembering a part of yourself that you put away for a while,” she reflected, describing the emotional depth of reconnecting with her musical roots.
Krauss is especially excited about returning to the Chicago Theatre, a significant venue for her and the band since their last performance there following the release of their 2011 album, ‘Paper Airplane.’
Reflecting on cherished memories, she said, “It’s so cool when you remember songs that you sang from years ago and just why you loved them.”
The Chicago performance is expected to evoke nostalgia, featuring beloved tracks like “Let Me Touch You For Awhile” and “Every Time You Say Goodbye.”
For Krauss, those songs resonate deeply, mirroring the innocence of her youth.
She stated, “There’s certain records you listen to as a kid that were so innocent and happy before life happened.
You have memories of such a carefree life, and those things are important to remember.
Those feelings are what make us human, so I love to be a part of that, and I love to experience it myself.”
As a native of Illinois, Krauss looks forward to returning to her roots.
Her connection to the area runs deep, as she recounts her family ties to Homewood-Flossmoor and her own upbringing in Champaign.
“I was born in Decatur, and I was raised in Champaign, and I married somebody from Batavia,” Krauss revealed.
Krauss reminisced about her childhood, recalling the beauty of the farmland views from her window.
“The fields either were coming in, or they had just been cut down — and they were equally beautiful and meaningful,” she said.
Reflecting on the Midwest, she shares her admiration for the honesty it inspires in people.
“I have always thought — that’s why Midwestern people are so blessed.
They can’t hide behind anything.
You can see for miles.
You can’t hide anywhere.
You’ve got to tell the truth.”
Krauss channels these sentiments in her music, including songs from Union Station’s new album, ‘Arcadia.’
This album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s bluegrass chart earlier this year, featuring tracks such as “Looks Like the End of the Road,” “The Wrong Way,” and “One Ray of Shine.”
While she did not pen the new songs herself, Krauss expressed her abiding respect for the art of songwriting, underscoring her lifelong appreciation for music.
As she prepares for her return to the stage, Krauss embodies the spirit of rediscovery, both personally and musically, making her upcoming concerts a celebration of connection and memory.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/06/05/alison-krauss-and-union-station-arcadia-album-chicago-theatre
