This all-women bluegrass band roared into Raleigh for a Down Home Concert on May 16, 2025. And they came with a mission: to celebrate 100 years of singer, songwriter, musician, and bluegrass trailblazer Hazel Dickens. They also came with a few friends: California bluegrass icon Laurie Lewis and Alice Gerrard, Dickens’ duo partner in the Bluegrass Hall of Fame group Hazel and Alice. Fiddle player Tatiana Hargreaves and bass player Hasee Ciaccio also joined in the fun.
In addition to Dickens’ songs, the audience was treated to lots of stories about her, giving us a glimpse into her personality and passion. Far from being a solemn memorial for someone who is dearly missed, the evening was truly a celebration of Dickens’ remarkable life and of the generations of musicians she’s inspired.
Western North Carolina musician Laura Boosinger opened the show, applying her beautiful voice and banjo playing to songs that carried stories about the region she calls home. She shared a new song relating the horrors of Hurricane Helene in the region, but also the
Learn more about Della Mae here. And learn more about Dickens here.
Photos by Todd Gunsher
