Critics agree that rarely has a bluegrass writer demonstrated the breadth of style, poetic beauty, emotion, and topic shown in Louisa’s work.  From simply elegant to complex, country ballad to bluegrass breakdown, Louisa writes it, and writes it well, commanding over 70 recorded songs.

“Some of the finest original bluegrass music has been characterized by the blending of the simple and the complex.  It could be argued that this is one of the many things that set apart Bill Monroe’s sound from much of the music of his time.  The songs of Louisa Branscomb have the kind of depth that results from such a fusion.”        

(Chris Jones, Bluegrass Now)

Millwheel Memorable Music

Louisa’s catalog is housed in her publishing company, Millwheel Music

Songs recorded by: Alison Krauss * John Denver * Daughters of Bluegrass * Dale Ann Bradley * Fontana Sunset * Valerie Smith (Live Recordings) * McPeak Brothers * Nancy Pate * Broadriver * The Dunton Sisters * Ladies’ Choice * Boot Hill * Cyndi Craven * Born Gypsy * Timberline * 
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

  • IBMA Recorded Event of the Year, “Tribute to Women in Bluegrass”, Mark Newton 2001
  • Invited Judge, GA Musician’s Industry Songwriting Competition, 2003, 2004
  • Bluegrass Leadership Class, Spokesperson 2001
  • Bluegrass Mentor Sessions, IBMA, 3 Years
  • First Place, Alabama Student Music Composition Contest,    Age 13
  • Invitational Songwriting Panels 1991-present
  • IBMA Awards
 
Songwriting Awards

Steel Rails

  • Longest Running Song on Bluegrass Chart
  • Grammy Cut:  Children’s Album of the Year (John Denver)
  • Grammy Cut:  Bluegrass Album of the Year (Alison Krauss)
  • Song of the Year SPBGMA, 1991

Blue Ridge Memories

  • Bluegrass Chart Hit, Japan, 1978

Fly, Soul, Away

  • #2 Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year, 1978

Songs of Whimplewood

  • Parents’ National Seal of Excellence 1993

Stormy Night

  • Semifinalist, IBMA Songwriting Showcase 1997
  • Semifinalist, GA Musician’s Ind. Assn. composition 2001

Last Rose for Grandpa

  • Semifinalist, GA Musician’s Ind. Assn. competition 2001

300 Years

  • Honorable Mention, GA Musician’s Ind. Assn. Composition 2003

Fool’s Gold

  • Recorded Event of the Year, Daughters of Bluegrass, 2006

Louisa is available for songwriter panels, workshops, instruction, and offers workshops at Woodsong Farm.

 

LOUISA’S SONGWRITING PHILOSOPHY

Louisa has been conducting workshops on creativity, finding one’s individual voice, and songwriting for many years, and is available for individual consultations at Woodsong, or workshops at the farm or elsewhere.

“My approach is based on the assumption that everyone can learn the skills that make writing possible, and that finding one’s voice, and transforming thought and feeling to song is a personal and highly individual process. In the same way, the kinds of blocks and fears that stall the creative process are also personal. I offer broad frameworks and exercises within which each person can understand, explore, and refine their own writing process, as well as their own blocks, while actually writing as we go.