(headline image: Gena Britt. Photo by Laci Mack)
Gena Britt, a renowned bluegrass musician, grew up in Star, North Carolina, where she was introduced to the genre at an early age. Her grandfather, a square dance caller, exposed her to the banjo and fiddle, sparking her interest in music by the time she was four. She began clogging as a child, participating in competitions with her parents’ support. At age seven, she requested a banjo for Christmas and received one for her eighth birthday, taking lessons from Charles Singleton for about a year and a half.
Britt is recognized for her dynamic banjo playing, solid acoustic bass skills, and precise vocal harmonies. Her career includes stints with notable bluegrass groups such as Petticoat Junction, New Vintage, Lou Reid & Carolina, and Alan Bibey & Grasstowne. She also leads her own Gena Britt Band and, in 2012, co-founded the GRAMMY-nominated group Sister Sadie, with whom she continues to perform and record.
A decorated artist, Britt has earned seven International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, starting with the 2001 Recorded Event of the Year for Follow Me Back to the Fold. Other honors include multiple IBMA awards for her contributions to Back to the Well (2006) and A Celebration of Life (2006). With Sister Sadie, she won Vocal Group of the Year three times (2019, 2020, 2021) and was named Entertainer of the Year in 2020. Additionally, she has received a Banjo Player of the Year award from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music.
Her discography spans group and solo projects. In February 2025, Mountain Home Music Company signed Britt to an exclusive recording contract, coinciding with her first session for the label and the upcoming release of a new Sister Sadie single.
“Gena’s already been a member of the Mountain Home family with Sister Sadie, but it is a big step forward to welcome her now as an artist with her own unique voice, too,” said Mountain Home A&R Director Jon Weisberger. “Gena has been a vital presence on the bluegrass scene for a long time, but her solo recordings have been too few and far between for the role she’s played. It’s been more than 30 years since I first met her as a member of Petticoat Junction, and her career has been a rich one. We are so happy to be playing a role in bringing it forward. Whenever Gena is front and center, great music is guaranteed!”
“I am so excited to become a part of the Mountain Home family as a solo artist,” Britt shared. “I’ve been in the studio tracking with an all-star band, and I cannot wait for everyone to hear this new music. It’s pretty special. There are some originals, some covers — and some surprises you won’t expect! I’m truly grateful to Mountain Home for believing in me and supporting me in all I do as a member of Sister Sadie and as a solo artist. I’m really looking forward to this partnership!”
She resides in Clinton, North Carolina, with her two daughters, balancing family life with her touring schedule.
Discography:
Moore County Bluegrass (1982)
Reflections (1990)
Chronicle: Friends And Music (Pinecastle Recording Company, 2019)
With Sister Sadie:
Sister Sadie (Pinecastle Records, 2016)
Sister Sadiee II (Pinecastle Records, 2018)
No Fear (Mountain Home Music Company, 2024)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.