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Here's a sampling of what folks are saying about Gloria Belle. Whether you're going to catch one of her shows or are about to produce a show, don't miss an opportunity for Gloria to entertain you or your audience. You'll be glad you did.
"Some years back I caught Gloria Belle, performing as a duo with Mike Long, on the Roots & Braches Stage at IBMA's World of Bluegrass. She blew me away. There are only a handful of woman performers who play traditional bluegrass the way the first generation bluegrass performers developed the music. Gloria, having shared the stage with some of the traditional bluegrass greats like Jimmy Martin, learned first-generation traditional bluegrass firsthand. Gloria's music and stage presence is wonderful.
Following her IBMA performance, I bought all the LP's (yes vinyl) and cassettes she had available and have since included some of her songs on my recordings."
Dick Kimmel, January 2008
"I remember very well the first time I saw Gloria Belle. She was the attractive, young woman playing bass and singing with Jimmy Martin, lending support and strength to the entire band. Despite her young age, her years of experience and professionalism as a country music entertainer were obvious.
After the show, she visited with the audience in her charming and personal, way making everyone feel welcome. She still does that today.
Gloria Belle has loved bluegrass, old time and country music all her life. She sings and plays enduring songs from her heart because she remembers why she wanted to play in the first place.
Gloria Belle's shows are exciting because, for her, it's about the music and the people. And it shows!"
Raymond McLain, Director
Bluegrass, Old Time And Country Music Program
East Tennessee State University
"I had the good fortune to have Gloria as one of my guest artists on my Follow Me Back To The Fold: A Tribute to Women in Bluegrass back in 2002. The project won the IBMA Recording Event Of The Year. Going into that project I wanted to represent the ladies that in my mind where instrumental in helping further bluegrass music as we know it today. Gloria Belle was at the top of my list.
Growing up on the music, I'm a huge fan of our first generation and beyond, who pioneered bluegrass music. I put Gloria Belle in that category. I was brought up on Jimmy Martin's music and I remember starting to hear about Gloria's work with Jimmy and heard her work on his records. In the early 70's, I seen Gloria for the first time live at a festival with Jimmy. I immediately became a fan of hers.
Back in those days there where not a lot of women artists in bluegrass bands. Gloria was one of the first to pave the way for women artists, I think in many ways, to be an integral part of a bluegrass band. Her harmony singing and bass playing were very important in Jimmy's band. Also, later on in the 70's, I had a record that Gloria did that featured a number of artists. I believe that's how I came up with the idea to record The Pain Of Loving You on my Tribute record, which was a hit for Porter and Dolly Parton.
So, for me, when one talks about the success of bluegrass music and particularly the women, which, by the way, are as strong as the male artists that represent this music in my mind, it starts with Gloria. It's an honor to know Gloria as a friend and fellow artist. Gloria Belle is truly one of the pioneers in bluegrass music and in many ways has helped the music go forward to where it is today."
Mark Newton, Artist, Songwriter, Producer
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