Bluegrass Legend Dale Ann Bradley to Perform at Mildred Haun Conference
February 5, 2026
Conference is Free, Open to Everyone
Dale Ann Bradley’s music is often called bluegrass. Some call it Americana, and others
consider it folk or roots music. The Kentucky native summed up her style in one word:
authentic.
“I have been fortunate to do different styles of music. I just want it to be authentic
and come from my heart,” Bradley said.
Bradley will perform on the Walters State Morristown Campus on Saturday, Feb. 7 at
3:15 p.m. as part of the “Mildred Haun Conference: A Celebration of Appalachian Literature
and Scholarship.” Bradley will teach a songwriting course at 10:30 a.m. on the same
day. Both events will be in the Judge William H. Inman Humanities Complex.
The conference is free. Fans may attend the entire conference or just the concert.
"Featuring Dale Ann Bradley as our musical guest is a highlight in the history of
this conference,” said Chippy McLain, associate professor of English and co-chair
of the conference. “Her music represents so many Appalachian voices, crossing the
genres of gospel, bluegrass, folk and Americana. This is a wonderful chance to see
a legend perform. She simply sounds like home."
Bradley was recently inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. The International
Bluegrass Music Association named her female artist of the year six times, most recently
in 2021. She has been nominated twice for a Grammy.
Bradley plays music she loves. She doesn’t think she could perform a song simply for
commercial success.
The Pineville native said music was her only interest while growing up. Her father,
though, was a Primitive Baptist preacher. The denomination did not allow musical instruments.
“We didn’t even have sheet music or shape notes. The congregation sang traditional,
old-time hymns that were written on pieces of paper,” Bradley said.
Other family members noticed Bradley’s talent. An uncle gave her a guitar when she
was 16. She soon started playing in a bluegrass band with her high school’s band director
and his wife
“We played bluegrass, but we also played a lot of folk music from the 1960s. We played
songs by Peter, Paul and Mary, and Gordon Lightfoot.
She turned down a music scholarship and found an opportunity for invaluable on-the-job
training as a musician at the legendary Renfro Valley Barn Dance. She was one of two
full-time employees. A few years later, a recording industry executive signed her
to a recording deal.
Bradley credits two early stars of country music for setting great examples in both
music and business.
“Loretta Lynn was probably the first female singer I listened to, and I remember watching
Dolly Parton on the ‘Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour’ on our family’s black-and-white
television,” she said. “As I watched them become successful, I also saw how they stayed
true to their roots.”
Bradley has a special lineup for her appearance at Walters State. She always enjoys
playing on college campuses.
“I’ll be singing some story I have written, some of the songs that are well-known,
just a good mix,” she said.
The Mildred Haun Conference is in its 17th year. To see a complete conference schedule,
visit www.ws.edu/mildred-haun.