Laurie Lewis: California’s Bluegrass Trailblazer

Laurie Lewis is one of bluegrass music’s most versatile, respected, and quietly revolutionary figures. A dynamic singer, fiddler, guitarist, and songwriter, she has spent decades blending the traditional spirit of Appalachian bluegrass with the innovation and inclusiveness of the West Coast folk scene. Whether she’s performing original songs or old-time ballads, Lewis brings a deep sense of soul, grace, and musical integrity to everything she touches.

From Berkeley to the Blue Ridge

Born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Berkeley, Laurie Lewis didn’t grow up in the traditional bluegrass heartland—but her heart beat for the music from the very start. Inspired by the folk revival of the 1960s and the local acoustic music scene, she picked up the violin in her youth and was soon drawn to the driving rhythms and harmonies of bluegrass.

What made Lewis unique was her ability to learn from Appalachian traditions while creating something fresh, informed by her West Coast roots, feminist values, and a love for songwriting.

The Good Ol’ Persons and the Bay Area Sound

In the 1970s, Laurie joined one of the first prominent all-female bluegrass bands, the Good Ol’ Persons, which helped redefine what bluegrass could be. This wasn’t novelty bluegrass—it was the real deal: tight harmonies, hot picking, and serious chops.

The Bay Area became a hub for a new kind of bluegrass that welcomed experimentation, strong female voices, and hybrid influences. Laurie was at the forefront of that movement.

Laurie Lewis & Grant Street / The Right Hands

In the 1980s, Laurie formed her own band, Laurie Lewis & Grant Street, and began gaining national attention. Later, her group evolved into Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, a rotating lineup of top-notch musicians including Tom Rozum, her longtime musical partner and mandolinist.

Their harmonies—warm, natural, and tight—became a signature of Lewis’s sound. Albums like:

• Love Chooses You (1989)
• True Stories (1993)
• The Golden West (2006)
• The Hazel and Alice Sessions (2016)

…showcase her blend of bluegrass, old-time, and contemporary songwriting, often with a poetic, introspective edge.

Champion of Tradition and Change

While many of her songs are original, Laurie Lewis has a profound respect for the bluegrass tradition. She’s:

• A scholar of Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, even releasing a Grammy-nominated tribute album in their honor.
• An advocate for women in bluegrass, both on and off the stage.
• A sought-after fiddle instructor and mentor, teaching at workshops and camps around the country.

Her voice is unmistakable: clear, emotive, and strong without showboating. Whether she’s singing a Civil War ballad, a personal heartbreak, or a socially conscious anthem, it rings with authenticity.

Honors and Recognition

Laurie Lewis has earned wide acclaim across the bluegrass and folk communities, including:

• IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year (twice)
• Grammy Nomination for The Hazel and Alice Sessions
• Featured performer at major festivals including Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, MerleFest, and Telluride
• Frequent appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and other national platforms

She remains a leading light of West Coast bluegrass, while never straying far from her acoustic, roots-driven foundation.

Conclusion

Laurie Lewis is bluegrass with a wide horizon. A champion of both the past and the possible, she’s made room for women, innovation, and West Coast spirit in a genre that often clings to its traditions. With every fiddle stroke and every heartfelt lyric, she reaffirms that bluegrass is not just about geography or gender—it’s about soul, honesty, and connection.

In a career that spans more than four decades, Laurie Lewis continues to show that tradition doesn’t have to stand still—and that bluegrass can grow and flourish without losing its roots.