Cowgirl Roots, Killer Riffs: Meet Shelby Means, Bluegrass’s Rising Star from Wyoming

Many people wouldn't believe how big the art and music scene is in Wyoming. Luckily, we live here and experience it firsthand. Art and music can be found in most parts of the state, and many artists have taken their talents to the national level.

One of those talented musicians is Wyoming native and Bluegrass artist Shelby Means. She was born in Kentucky but moved to Wyoming with her family when she was four. She lived in the Cowboy State until she moved to Nashville in 2010.

Since then, Shelby has been busy leaving her mark on Bluegrass music. Playing bass and singing with bands like Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and Della Mae has kept her busy through the first part of her career, but now she's adding sole artist to her resume.

On May 30, Shelby will release her debut self-titled solo album. You can go to her website, Shelby Lee Means.com, to pre-order your copy today.

Means is a driving player with a deep pocket, a singular stage presence, and a magnetic, centered approach to the upright bass. Beyond her work on the instrument, she’s also an accomplished songwriter and a heartfelt vocalist whose voice is rooted in tradition while authentically her own. With her debut solo music, slated for release in 2025, Means invites listeners to experience the same soulful presence and adventurous spirit she has built her career on. Her singing and playing have been heard across the country and around the world, from NPR’s airwaves, the Grand Ole Opry, Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and Newport Folk to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kazakhstan, Australia, and beyond.

I enjoyed chatting with Shelby about her life in Wyoming, playing Bluegrass, and touring.