Della Mae and the Spirit of the Sisterhood

It’s a dreary January evening, but a quiet euphoria emanates from the four members of hard-driving all-female bluegrass group Della Mae. Earlier in the day, Kimber Ludiker, the group’s founder and a fifth-generation fiddle player, had laid eyes for the first time on the finished product of their new album, Magic Accident, on Compass Records. Now the Dellas (as they call themselves) collectively savor the moment.  “It’s a great feeling of accomplishment,” says Avril Smith, a founding member and lead guitarist. “We’re really proud of the music and excited to get it out there for people to hear.” Formed by Kimber in 2010, Della Mae won widespread acclaim in 2013 with their Rounder Records release This World Oft Can Be. The album received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album and helped Della Mae earn the 2013 IBMA Award for Emerging Artist of the Year. It solidified Della Mae’s reputation as a bluegrass powerhouse, outspoken advocates for women in music, an