The Cox Family

by Jack LeaverThe singing Cox Family from Cotton Valley, LA, is comprised of father Willard, son Sidney, and daughters Evelyn and Suzanne, who derive their sound from combining country, bluegrass, and gospel styles. They first began performing together in 1976 and were a popular draw at fairs and festivals, but their career was given a big boost when in the early 90s they met Alison Krauss, who brought them to the attention of Rounder Records. They also gained massive exposure when in 1994 they caught the ear of Adam Duritz, frontman of the multi-platinum-selling Counting Crows, who was so impressed with the Cox Family that he invited them to open for the band during its North American tour. Krauss — who produced all but the familys very first release, Quiet Storm on Wilcox Records — recorded several of Sidneys songs, which appeared on both of her Grammy-winning albums, including the title track of Ive Got That Old Feeling. The Cox Family recorded two records of their own on Rounder Records: Everybodys Reaching Out for Someone (1993) and Beyond the City (1995), which earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. They also collaborated with Krauss on an album entitled I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, which won a Grammy in 1994 for Best Country/Gospel/Bluegrass Album. The Cox Family also shared a Grammy for their participation in the various-artists project Amazing Grace: A Country Salute to Gospel. Their major-label debut, Just When Were Thinking Its Over, was released on Asylum Records in 1996.