Alison Prestwood grew up in Alabama with music in her soul. The multi-instrumentalist and Nashville session bass player has played and recorded with many of Country and Americana’s most successful and influential artists. I caught up with Alison and recorded this Southern Americana podcast episode on the stage of the original Puckett’s in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee.
Nashville session bass player Alison Prestwood in the studio playing her Fender Precision
A four-time nominee for Bass Player of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, Alison has toured and played with Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless, and Olivia Newton-John others. Besides playing on-stage with Trisha Yearwood, Wynona Judd, and Vince Gill, Alison played in the house band for the 2019 CMA Award Show.
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The recording industry has changed dramatically over the past three decades. Alison is fortunate to have experienced the benefits as one of Nashville’s top session bass players. Yet this talented musician has also experienced the challenges of working as a full-time, professional musician.
Outside of scheduling recording sessions and tour days, Alison found time to attend law school and established a law practice. “Whether it’s through my law practice or playing, I enjoy helping people,” Alison told me during our episode at Puckett’s.
Resolution is singer-songwriter Alison Prestwood’s sophomore album.
When she’s not in the recording studio or traveling, Alison finds time to play in several regional bands such as Heavy Drunk and FAD, a Beatles cover band. It probably comes as no surprise that Alison is a huge fan of Beatles bassist Paul McCartney.
Alison has studied under the legendary Los Angeles session bassist Carol Kayne and is also a jazz composition student. Besides her studio work, Alison just released her second album, Resolution, which also highlights her vocal and guitar abilities. Her cut, “Cold World,” is an excellent example of her songwriting and musical gifts.
Hear Alison’s tales of recording with many of Nashville’s finest musicians and artists. Our episode is slightly longer than most, so listen to the end because, like fine wine, our conversation gets better with time.