• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Register
  • Support
  • Shop
NS Design Logo

NS Design

Groundbreaking Electric Stringed Instruments

  • NS Design Logo
  • Home
  • Instruments
    • NS Violin
      • NS Violin Overview
      • CR Violin
      • NXTa Violin
      • WAV Violin
      • Violin Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Viola
      • NS Viola Overview
      • CR Viola
      • NXTa Viola
      • Viola Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Cello
      • NS Cello Overview
      • CR Cello
      • NXTa Cello
      • WAV Cello
      • Cello Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Omni Bass
      • NS Omni Bass Overview
      • CR Omni Bass
      • NXTa Omni Bass
      • WAV Omni Bass
      • Omni Bass Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Upright Bass
      • NS Upright Bass Overview
      • EU Upright Bass
      • CR-M and CR Upright Bass
      • CRT Upright Bass
      • NXTa Upright Bass
      • WAV Upright Bass
      • Upright Bass Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Bass Guitar
      • NS Bass Guitar Overview
      • CR RADIUS Bass Guitar
      • THE NXTa RADIUS BASS GUITAR
      • WAV RADIUS Bass Guitar
      • RADIUS Bass Guitar Pricing
    • Shop NS
    • Catalogs
    • Manuals
    • Find a Dealer
      • U.S. Dealers
      • International Distributors
  • Accessories
    • NS Electric Strings
    • Bows
    • NS Violin/Viola Accessories
      • Adjustable Chin Rest
      • Balanced Shoulder Rest
      • Custom Shoulder Rest
      • Violin/Viola Stand
    • NS Cello Accessories
      • Cello End Pin Stand
      • The NXT Tripod Stands
      • The CR Tripod Stand
      • The Boomerang Strap System
      • The Frame Strap System
      • Thumbstops for Cello and Bass
    • NS Omni/Upright Bass Accessories
      • The Boomerang Strap System
      • The Frame Strap System
      • Bass End Pin Stand
      • Bass End Pin Stand Conversion Kit
      • The CR Tripod Stand
      • The NXT Tripod Stands
      • Thumbstops for Cello and Bass
    • Flight Cases
    • Find a Dealer
      • US Dealers
      • International Distributors
    • Shop NS
      • Accessories and Support Systems
      • Bows
      • Cases and Gig Bags
    • Accessories and Strings Pricing
  • Inside NS
    • NS Artists
      • Violin
      • Viola
      • Cello
      • Omni Bass
      • Upright Bass
      • RADIUS Bass Guitar
    • News
    • History
    • Interviews
  • Support
    • Parts and Technical Support
    • Register your NS Instrument
    • Contact
    • NS Catalogs
    • Owners' Manuals
    • FAQ
  • Shop NS
    • All Products
    • Instruments
      • All Instruments
      • Prototypes and Special
      • Violin
      • Viola
      • Cello
      • Omni Bass
      • NS Electric Upright Bass
      • RADIUS Bass Guitar
    • Accessories and Support Systems
    • Cases and Gig Bags
    • Bows
    • Merchandise
  • Search
  • 0 items

NS Design welcomes Fiddler Anna Blanton to its roster of Artists

NS Artist Anna Blanton violinist fiddler

NS Design Artist Anna Blanton has spent years playing a wide range of musical styles from bluegrass and classic country to Celtic, folk and orchestral pieces. Blanton started her early training in music at her grade school orchestra program under the direction of Catherine Moeller-Cunanan. As a child she particularly enjoyed Irish music which led her to study Irish and Bluegrass fiddle tunes and the mandolin under Jeff Guernsey. Later, at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, Anna studied classical violin and continues to perform and record with area symphony orchestras. In 2016 and 2017 she partnered with Kentucky Shakespeare on their productions of Twelfth Night and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead under the music direction of Jack Ashworth and in 2018 Anna was part of a 52 piece orchestra that recorded Bear McCreary’s The Professor and The Madman movie soundtrack.

Anna Blanton with CR Violin New Bees Band
NS Artist Anna Blanton (left) with the New Bees Band.

While dedicated to performing with acoustic instruments, after finishing a challenging tour with Canadian singer-songwriter Colter Wall and experiencing environmental issues with her acoustic violin, Blanton felt it was time to explore available electric options. Anna was introduced to the NS series of electric violins while performing with the roots-rock five piece Jericho Woods. Jory Hutchins, Jericho Woods’ former fiddle player had a CR Series Violin and their bassist, and fellow NS Artist Paul Priest, who plays CR RADIUS and NXTa RADIUS bass guitars, encouraged her to try out the NS.

Anna found it very easy to transition to the NS CR5 electric violin, only having to change her bow angle to accommodate the low C string. Now a dedicated NS player, Anna appreciates how easy it is using her CR5 violin on the road. She says, “I’ve played lots of scorching hot outdoor gigs. I’d always worry about my 200+ year old acoustic fiddles getting damaged or going out of tune. This CR5 fiddle not only sounds great and looks cool; it also handles the heat outside remarkably well! I’ve had no tuning issues and don’t have to worry about seams coming open at any of my outdoor gigs. I can just enjoy playing and not stress about my gear!”

NS Artist Anna Blanton with Jericho Woods guitarist, Aaryn Martin at Fourth Street Live! Louisville, KY.
NS Artist Anna Blanton with Jericho Woods guitarist, Aaryn Martin at Fourth Street Live! Louisville, KY.

Anna’s advice for acoustic violinists considering the transition to electric is to keep in mind that the electric violin’s sound isn’t as loud as an acoustic in a player’s ear. To that end, Anna uses a Fishman Loudbox Mini mainly for self-monitoring on stage while running a direct line out the front-of-house PA. Along with the Fishman, Anna occasionally uses a Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah pedal, MXR Phase 90 and a boost pedal.

NS Artist Anna Blanton plays the CR5 Violin with Jericho Woods | Abbey Road on the River.

Anna’s schedule is as full as you might expect for someone playing a wide range of music. Whether touring with Jericho Woods in support of their new album One Perfect Song, releasing an album of traditional instrumentals and original folk music with her band Croghan’s Crossing, or working with students of all ages through private instruction, Blanton keeps building her fan base and her career with a dedicated passion for music.

New owners, Charlie and Anna Blanton in front of their Kentuckiana Music Center, New Albany, IN.
New owners, Charlie and Anna Blanton in front of their Kentuckiana Music Center, New Albany, IN.

NS Artist Anna Blanton plays “What Happiness Looks Like” for Red Barn Radio with Jericho Woods, also featuring NS Artist Paul Priest with the CR RADIUS Bass.

For more information about Anna and her music visit: www.annablantonmusic.com

For more information and tour dates for Jericho Woods, visit: https://jerichowoodsband.com/home

Also, check out the Kentuckiana Music Center recently purchased by Anna and her husband Charlie at: www.kentuckianamusiccenter.com

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Artist Interviews
  • Artists
  • Awards
  • Cello Artist
  • Cello Artists
  • CONNECT2021
  • CONNECTLIVE
  • Education
  • Experiences
  • Featured Artist
  • For Bass Players Only Interviews
  • iNSights
  • Instruments
  • Interviews
  • NAMM Show Highlights
  • Ned Steinberger
  • NS Cello
  • NS Insight
  • NS Omni Bass
  • NS Radius Bass Guitar
  • NS Upright Bass
  • NS Viola
  • NS Violin
  • Omni Bass Artist
  • Omni Bass Artists
  • Radius Bass Artist
  • Radius Bass Artists
  • Reviews
  • Uncategorized
  • Upright Bass Artist
  • Upright Bass Artists
  • Video
  • Viola Artists
  • Violin Artist
  • Violin Artists
  • webpage_post

Footer

Join the mailing list

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Products

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Omni Bass
  • Upright Bass
  • Bass Guitar
  • Accessories

Inside NS

  • News
  • Artists
  • NS Connect LIVE
  • Interviews
  • History

Customer Service

  • Contact Us
  • Register your NS Instrument
  • Parts and Technical Support
  • Find a Dealer
  • FAQ
  • Owner’s Manuals

Copyright © 2023 · NS Design · Log in