Barry Turner Bales (born August 23, 1969 in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States) is an American musician best known as the long time bass player and harmony vocalist for Alison Krauss and Union Station. He has been in the band for around 25 years. The 2012 Grammy was awarded as a member of the Union Station band on Paper Airplane. He is also a member of The Earls of Leicester. Career Bales grew up in Colonial Heights, Tennessee, outside of Kingsport, Tennessee and attended Sullivan South High School. Early memories of music include listening to the records of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, Bob Wills, Buck Owens and Hank Thompson from his father's extensive collection. He started experimenting with various instruments at the age of 10, starting with guitar. By age 15, Bales had found the bass and was playing regionally in various groups. Bales attended East Tennessee State University, participating in the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music program, as did future Union Station members Tim Stafford and Adam Steffey. Over the years, Bales has become one of the most in-demand session musicians in acoustic music. He has recorded and performed with such artists as Reba McEntire, Susan Ashton, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Bowman, The Cox Family, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Dan Tyminski, Patty Loveless amongst others. He currently resides in Greene County, Tennessee with his wife Aliceson (née Osborn) and their young son. References 1969 births Living people People from Kingsport, Tennessee Alison Krauss & Union Station members American country bass guitarists East Tennessee State University alumni Guitarists from Tennessee American male bass guitarists 20th-century American bass guitarists Country musicians from Tennessee 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American double-bassists 20th-century American double-bassists 21st-century American male musicians