Becky Buller Haley

Bluegrass Fiddler, Clawhammer Banjo, singer and composer. Growing up in Minnesota, Becky played fiddle with her parents and Gordy and Roxy Shultz in the group Prairie Grass. She studied classical violin with both Patti Tryhus and Charles Gray and participated in the Mankato Area Youth Symphony and the Minnesota All-State Orchestra while in high school. Becky’s heart, however, has always been that of a fiddler. She graduated in 2001 with a public relations degree from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where she took part in the renowned Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music. In 2016, Becky Buller made bluegrass music history by becoming the first artist ever to win in both the instrumental and vocal categories at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards. Five IBMA awards in the last two years, including the 2016 Fiddler and Female Vocalist and 2015 Songwriter Of The Year nods. A ten-year stint with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. Becky’s cover of Bill Monroe’s “Southern Flavor” (including new lyrics by DeWayne Mize and Guy Stevenson and featuring members of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys) garnered the 2015 IBMA Recorded Event Of The Year award. She penned the title cut of Special Consensus’ album Scratch Gravel Road, which was nominated for the 2013 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy. She was a 2016 SPBGMA Songwriter Of The Year nominee and was chosen as 1st Runner Up for the 2016 IAMA Country/Bluegrass Song of Year for her composition “Nothin’ To You.” She graduated in 2001 with a public relations degree from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where she took part in the renowned Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music program. That same year, Becky’s songwriting nabbed a first-place finish in the bluegrass category of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest in Wilksboro, NC. Maintains an active touring schedule, and teaches instrumental music both in her adopted hometown of Manchester, TN, and online with students around the world. She served on the IBMA Board of Directors from 2013-17 as well as a three-year term as chair of the IBMA Songwriter Committee from 2013-16. She is a Leadership Bluegrass alumna, class of 2003.