Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick have a wonderful new album, Laurie & Kathy Sing the Songs of Vern & Ray, which brings together two of the Bay Area’s—and the world’s—best bluegrass artists performing the songs of a pair of their highly esteemed California predecessors. Vern Williams and Ray Parks grew up a few miles apart in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, but didn’t meet till they were both living in Stockton in the 1950s. Their hard-core traditional bluegrass in the high lonesome style has found its perfect interpreters in Laurie and Kathy. The Lonesome Road Review calls their new album “a wonderfully touching and musically significant tribute,” and “incredible from start to finish.” Country Standard Time calls it “clearly a labor of love.” The love comes through in every fiddle break, guitar strum, and outpouring of glorious harmony.
 
Laurie has won the International Bluegrass Music Association award for Female Vocalist of the Year multiple times, not to mention a Grammy for her contribution to True Life Blues: the Songs of Bill Monroe. She has recorded more than 20 albums—with the Good Ol’ Persons, Grant Street, Tom Rozum, and her current band Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, as well as several solo projects—and is now also working with many talented new artists, helping them find their way in the recording business.
 
Kathy has been leading bands ever since she co-founded the Good Ol’ Persons in 1975. She’s won a Grammy and two awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, and recorded 19 albums, including her latest, Cut to the Chase, a collection of new songs that tell poignant and powerful stories. Bluegrass Now calls her an “exquisite storyteller” and says that “her singing has always been earthy and passionate.”
 
For an evening of glorious bluegrass rooted deep in American tradition, catch Laurie & Kathy at the Freight!

Listen to a track from Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick:

visit Laurie Lewis' website

visit Kathy Kallick's website