www.shelbyleemeans.com

Born in the bluegrass of Kentucky and raised on Wyoming’s high plains, Shelby Means is one of the foremost bassists in bluegrass, with nearly two decades of experience in bluegrass, folk, rock, Americana, and country outfits. Means has traveled the world with many acts, most notably in recent years with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. Previously with the groundbreaking all-women bluegrass band Della Mae, she visited nearly 30 countries as a musical diplomat. During her tenure in Music City, she got bit by the songwriting bug, penning lyrics and melodies and finding co-writers in her friends and neighbors. With Della Mae she was nominated for a GRAMMY® and with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway she earned her first GRAMMY® Award for their 2023 album, City of Gold.

Means is a driving player with a deep pocket, a singular stage presence, and a magnetic, centered approach to the upright bass. Beyond her work on the instrument, she’s an accomplished songwriter and a heartfelt vocalist whose voice is rooted in tradition while authentically her own. In May 2025 Shelby released her debut self-titled LP. Her debut single Streets of Boulder was ranked #9 in the top 50 bluegrass songs of 2025, keeping company with the likes of Alison Krauss & Union Station and Billy Strings. With her debut solo music, Means invites listeners to experience the same soulful presence and adventurous spirit she has built her career on. Her singing and playing have been heard across the country and around the world, from NPR’s airwaves, the Grand Ole Opry, Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and Newport Folk to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kazakhstan, Australia, and beyond.