Hickory – The City of Hickory’s 2018 Sails Original Music Series will conclude for the year on Friday, September 28, with award-winning bluegrass ensemble, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands.

“Grammy-winning songwriter, singer, fiddler, guitarist, and band leader Laurie Lewis brings world-class bluegrass to the Sails Stage in Hickory. A great way to end our series for 2018!” says Sails Music Event Coordinator Bob Sinclair.

Since her musical debut in 1986, Lewis has recorded nearly 20 albums, receiving critical acclaim for her contributions to bluegrass. She has twice been voted International Bluegrass Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year. Her latest album, The Hazel and Alice Sessions, was nominated for the Best Bluegrass Recording Grammy in 2017.

Lewis will be joined by her band, the Right Hands, on Friday, which includes a quartet of talented musicians; Hasee Ciaccio on bass, Brandon Godman on fiddle, Tom Rozum on mandolin, and Patrick Sauber on banjo.

The show begins at 6:30pm and audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Olde Hickory Brewery and Shadow Line Vineyard will sell beer and wine in designated areas, and there are a variety of close-by restaurants to patronize.

“As we wrap up another great year of original music and talented musicians at the Sails Original Music Series in Downtown Hickory, we greatly appreciate all our Series’ sponsors, participating businesses, attendees, bands, and our Event Coordinator, Bob Sinclair.

“He never fails to bring top-notch performers from across the United States to Hickory,” said Dana Kaminske, City of Hickory Communications and Marketing Manager. “This Series has grown immensely over the years and we love creating great events for the Hickory Metro community to enjoy, like the Sails Original Music Series. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2019 with the new line-up.”

The presenting sponsor of the series is Lowes Foods, while the Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau was the premier sponsor for the month of May and The Hickory Wine Shoppe is the premier sponsor for the month of September. Additional sponsors include: Bob Sinclair Music, Larry’s Music & Sound, Pfahlert Creative Labs, Olde Hickory Brewery, and Crowne Plaza. Media partners include WNNC 1230 AM/WAIZ 63 Big Ways, WNCW 88.7FM, and FOCUS newspaper.

For more information about the Sails Original Music Series, please follow the Sails Music Series Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SailsMusic.

Grammy-winning fiddler Laurie Lewis