Kristy Cox
Australia’s Queen of Bluegrass
Kristy Cox has become a standout figure in both the Australian and American bluegrass scenes, earning recognition for her graceful and wise approach to the genre. Known as the "Queen of Bluegrass," she initially made her mark in Australia’s country music scene and later gained prominence in the U.S. with her Billboard-topping releases. Her latest album, Let it Burn, is a bold and genre-expanding project, blending traditional bluegrass with elements of evangelical gospel, all delivered with a fiery passion that sets it apart from her previous works. This album has once again secured her a #1 spot on the Billboard Bluegrass chart.
Cox’s collaboration with the renowned Jerry Salley continues to shine, creating a timeless fusion of lyrics and instrumentation that pays tribute to bluegrass traditions while pushing the boundaries of the genre. With six "Bluegrass Recording of the Year" awards from Australia's CMA Golden Guitar Awards, including her 2023 win for the track Good Morning Moon, she remains a highly respected and influential artist.
In addition to her success in Australia, Kristy has been shortlisted in the International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA) for six consecutive years for Emerging Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. She was also a finalist for Vocalist of the Year in the 2019 IBMA Momentum Awards. More recently, she received nominations in the 2024 SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards for Female Artist of the Year and in the 2025 SPBGMA Awards for Album of the Year for Let it Burn.
Country Standard Time aptly captures her impact, noting, "Kristy shows risk-taking as an artist that comes with the confidence and experience to not only meet but exceed expectations of what a contemporary bluegrass singer can do."
Career Highlights
- Country Music Association Australia (CMA - Golden Guitar Awards) Best Bluegrass Recording (2025) for ‘Let it Burn’ - WON
- Country Music Association Australia (CMA - Golden Guitar Awards) Best Bluegrass Recording (2023) for ‘Good Morning Moon’ - WON
- 2023 Australian Country Music Hands of Fame Inductee
- ‘Let it Burn’ debuted at. #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart
- ‘Shades of Blue’ debuted at #2 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart
- ‘Ricochet’ debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart
- Country Music Association Australia (CMA - Golden Guitar Awards) Best Bluegrass Recording (2015) for ‘One Heartbreak Away’ - WON
- Country Music Association Australia (CMA - Golden Guitar Awards) Best Bluegrass Recording (2017) for ‘Another Weary Mile’ - WON
- Country Music Association Australia (CMA - Golden Guitar Awards) Best Bluegrass Recording (2019) for ‘Ricochet’ - WON
- Country Music Association Australia (CMA - Golden Guitar Awards) Best Bluegrass Recording (2020) for ‘Yesterday’s Heartache’ - WON
- Country Music Association Australia (CMA - Golden Guitar Awards) Best Bluegrass Recording (2021) for ‘Finger Picking Good’ - WON
Kristy Cox Band
Kristy Cox and her band bring an exciting blend of high-energy, hard-driving bluegrass music and tight, soulful harmonies. The group’s combination of top-tier musicianship and traditional bluegrass influences creates performances that are both powerful and fun. Kristy Cox, with her standout vocals and guitar work, leads this ensemble, supported by an all-star cast of instrumentalists. Robbie Morris provides guitar and vocal support, while Cody Tinnin's upright bass and Allan Sanders' banjo add rich textures. Jason Bailey's mandolin and Ellie Hakanson's fiddle and vocals complete the group's unique sound, delivering dynamic and colorful bluegrass music.
With her Australian roots and growing recognition in the U.S., Kristy Cox continues to elevate her songwriting and performance style, fueled by her collaboration with her band. Together, they bring vibrant bluegrass performances that connect tradition with Cox’s evolving songwriting. This new chapter in her career signals a bright future, blending deep musicianship with passionate delivery.
Members of the band are:
Kristy Cox: Vocals & Guitar
Robbie Morris: Guitar & Vocals
Allan Sanders: Banjo
Cody Tinnin: Upright Bass
Jason Bailey: Mandolin
Ellie Hakanson: Fiddle & Vocals






Kristy Cox and Grasstime perform ‘Somethings Don’t Go Together’ Live at the World Famous Station Inn
Wrong Girl
Official Music Video
Billy Blue Records has cooked up a fun music video for their new single with Kristy Cox, a grassed-up reworking of Lee Ann Womack’s The Wrong Girl, originally released in 2004. It’s included on Kristy’s current Let It Burn album.
Written by Liz Rose and Pat McLaughlin, the lyrics tell a young hotshot who seems to have it all that, in fact, he’s chosen a girl who isn’t right for him. That message comes from our hero, the narrator here, who presents herself as the antidote. Though she’s quite serious, it’s a lighthearted treatise which Cox gives the precisely perfect treatment.
Front Porch of Paradise - Official Music Video
Song: Front Porch of Paradise
Artist: Kristy Cox
Songwriters: Marcy Each, Jerry Salley, Susan Anderegg
Album: Let It Burn
Kristy Cox and Tommy Emmanuel perform ‘Finger Picking Good’ for 2021 CMAA Awards in Australia.
Kristy Cox Performance at Golden Guitar Awards 2019
Recent News
Contact
BOOKING/ENQUIRES
katie@rockwoodbooking.com
MANAGEMENT
Norval McClean
kristycoxmanagement@hotmail.com
RECORD LABEL
Jerry Salley
jerry@billybluerecords.com