Laurie Lewis

Laurie Lewis, of San Francisco, California, has been at the forefront of the west-coast bluegrass music scene since the 1970s. A co-founder of the Good Ol’ Persons, she’s gone on to front her own bands, including the Grant Street String Band, and currently Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands.

Lewis was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 1992 and 1994, and was nominated for a Grammy in 1995 in her duet album with Tom Rozum, The Oak and the Laurel.

In her interview, Lewis talks about her mentors and inspirations, her shift to playing professionally, pathways and roadblocks in her career, inspiring young women playing today, women she’s worked with, her role in as a record producer, how the pandemic has affected her this past year, and advice for young musicians.