Molly Tuttle: From Bluegrass Roots to City of Gold

Marcel Ardans

Molly Tuttle has quickly, especially over the last few years, become a household name in the bluegrass scene. And while her music spans genres, the heart of her influence lies in the traditional space. Her father, Jack Tuttle, is a bluegrass musician and instructor of notoriety. Between Molly and her brothers and other students, he’s influenced plenty of well-known and successful players through the years. Molly began performing at the relatively young age of eleven (though we see a lot of kid-shredders, don’t we?).

Tuttle’s style of playing is rooted in her intricate flatpicking, which keeps even the prickliest of bluegrass traditionalists satiated. And her songwriting seems to have carved out a unique place for her, she blends different genres to make music accessible for people who might not have a familiarity with bluegrass. Her numerous accolades are nothing to eye-roll at, either. She has a Guitar Player of the Year award from IBMA (2017), Instrumentalist of the Year from the Americana Music Association (2018), and two Grammys for Best Bluegrass Album (Crooked Tree and City of Gold).

The Making of City of Gold

In 2023, Molly Tuttle released the album, City of Gold on Nonesuch Records with her band Golden Highway. The album was co-produced by Jerry Douglas, well-known as the only dobro player ever. The co-producers, Douglas and Tuttle, crafted each song to ensure it captured the feelings Molly wanted to convey.

Molly cited being inspired after being on the road with her band and by historical events in her home state of California, like the Gold Rush. The Golden State seems to be the backdrop for a vast majority of this album. The album boasts a slew of songwriter collaborators who brought life to the work including, Melody Walker, Shelby Means and Ketch Secor and Mason Via of Old Crow Medicine Show.

The Unofficial City of Gold Guitar Tab Book

This album has been so well-received and loved, that it only felt right to capture the guitar work in the Unofficial City of Gold Guitar Tab Book. I put together this comprehensive book because it’s a valuable resource for guitar players and fans. Sometimes Molly’s work is overshadowed by their big shows and energy, but this book is meant to showcase her skill and talent on the guitar, even when subtle amongst the sparkles and gold. A seasoned musician or beginner can learn a lot from this book. Check it out and hopefully you find it inspiring!