Lyrics are kind of the whole thing; it's the message. Something might have a beautiful melody but if it's not the truth coming out of your mouth, it's not appealing.

In 1997 Alison Krauss contributed harmony vocals in both English and Irish to Irish traditional band Altan's Runaway Sunday album. [citation needed] On August 11 television network Great American Country aired a one-hour special "Alison Krauss: A Hundred Miles or More" based on the album and featured many of the album's duets and solo performances. In the film Tyminski's vocals on "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" were used for George Clooney's character.

As of 2012 Alison Krauss has won 27 Grammy Awards from 41 nominations making her tied as the most awarded living recipient three behind the most honoured artist classical conductor Sir Georg Solti. At the time of her first award at the 1991 Grammy Awards Alison Krauss was the second youngest winner ever (currently tied as third youngest). She was invited to join the band with which Alison Krauss still performs Alison Krauss and Union Station (AKUS) and later released her first album with them as a group in 1989.