Rising Artist Molly Clair: Heading for Bright Future in Bluegrass.

The day Molly Clair’s parents bought her a mandolin, they unleashed a hidden talent onto the bluegrass world. Born and raised in Howell County, Missouri, Molly, now eighteen years old, has already recorded her debut album, Echoes in Time, secured the role of junior Vice President of Tomorrow’s Bluegrass Stars (TBS), and been inducted into the George D. Hay Society.

Clair is honing her collaborative skills under the guidance of Nashville record label, Billy Blue Records. “They have been helping me set up co-writes and learn the ins and outs of the industry,” the recent high school graduate explains.

The budding songwriter is thrilled. “I have been able to write with Caroline Owens, Mike Richards and Mark BonDurant.

“We had a really fun time writing together,” Clair shares about collaborating with BonDurant. We wrote a song that may or may not be released. It’s about a time where I just graduated high school and I am learning to trust God with this next stage in my life.”

After a 2024 Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival performance, during which The Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent, joined Clair on stage to sing “All American Bluegrass Girl,” Back Forty Studios owner Darrell Turnbull approached her.

“After my performance, [Darrell] came up and asked if I want to record an album for free! My mom was with me, and we were both like, What on earth? After Rhonda Vincent jumped up on stage with me. Now, this is happening?”

Coming onboard to produce her debut album Echoes of Time was bluegrass star Clay Hess. “That was incredible when I found out Clay would be helping with the project too.”

Rhonda Vincent sang duet with Clair on the Dolly Parton Classic “Coat of Many Colors.”  “[Turnbull] said he could get Rhonda on the album somehow,” recalls the young singer. “That’s one of my family’s favorite songs. It’s been an inspiration to me and the message behind it is really good.”

Clair will be doing shows during the summer and fall months.

“I like playing at Farmer’s markets on the weekend when I’m not writing or I don’t have any other shows,” adding, “I’ll be playing on July 4^th in Rosin, Kentucky.”

Although she traveled as far as Raleigh, North Carolina, where she performed at the 2024 IBMA, she preferred to stay local.

“I try to stay in Missouri to build my home base,” shares the eighteen-year-old mandolinist. “I have traveled to Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.”

The Missouri-born singer says she is making frequent trips to Nashville. “A  lot of people in Nashville are kind of watching me and trying to figure me out still!

“Most of the time, I post updates of where I’m going,” Clair says about her website. “People can see what I’m doing and keep up with where I’m at.”

Clair’s mom helps. “She handles the bookings and connecting with interviews. That’s been really helpful,” explains Clair, who says she oversees getting the set lists together. “I do still involve myself in [management] because I want to pick where I’m playing.”

Clair grew up singing in church and says a school trip changed things.

“In the fourth grade, we went to Silver Dollar City and saw Rhonda Vincent &The Rage for the first time. I told my mom that day, I want to be just like her.”

Clair’s parents bought her first mandolin. “They were skeptical at first. My mom kind of played it off since I was young,” Clair remembers.

“I started taking mandolin lessons with Corina Baker (The Baker Family). I just kept on doing it and here I am!” [laughs]

Citing Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs, and Sierra Hull as Madolin influences, Clair says Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, and Patsy Cline inspire her, “through their versatility. Patsy Cline cannot be replicated. I think she is someone who vocalists should try to take inspiration from. I hope I can sound like her someday.”

Clair’s music resonates with younger listeners. “Local kids have started listening to my music. What I’m aiming to do is make my version of bluegrass more approachable for kids.

“Kids think that bluegrass is old hillbilly banjo music, but it can be a lot more enjoyable,” explains Clair, who wants to add other instruments and styles to her music.

Clair is working towards building her reputation as a songwriter.

“There aren’t a lot of girls my age who release music. Although I’m eighteen, I want to be taken seriously!”