The Kickin Grass Band takes the stage, and suddenly you’re captivated by pure, strong voices telling true‐to‐life stories spiced with innovative bluegrass instrumentation. You fall in love with the rootsy, Americana style, and can’t wait for more. Fortunately, their third release, simply titled The Kickin Grass Band, displays all the chops, emotion and effusive energy of the band’s live show.
The group’s fan base continues to expand and grow, as does their talent and musicianship. “I have had my eyes (and ears) tuned to this wonderfully innovative band from its very beginnings almost 7 years ago,” says Barry Poss, founder of Sugar Hill Records. “I’ve seen them rehearse, watched their live shows and critiqued their recordings. Now, with this superb third release, Kickin Grass’s artistry has taken a giant leap forward. They are in a whole different league now. ”
The Kickin Grass Band’s songs – some mournful, some jubilant – reflect the depth and breadth of the human experience. Dave Higgs from Nashville Public Radio raves: “Lynda Dawson is a truly gifted songwriter who writes intelligently crafted lyrics, which she marries to unforgettable melodies.”
The band’s prior releases, On the Short Rows and Backroads, were praised by Jack Bernhardt of the News & Observer as “a delightful display of hard‐driving, lyrically nuanced bluegrass.” The album’s have caught the attention of the Associated Press, Bluegrass and Americana publications, as well as established and new media outlets and have received international radio airplay and placement on the Roots Music Radio Chart.
Meet The Band
Jamie Dawson-
Jamie Dawson came to the Kickin Grass Band by way of Christian Light, a small crossroads in Harnett County, NC. Growing up his father played bass for Bluegrass ’78 and Jamie and his brother Scott were carried to festivals in and around their home state by their pops, and at an early age Jamie learned to play the mandoliln from older musicians passing along the bluegrass tradition. Jamie now resides in Raleigh, NC and is a staple in the Raleigh music scene. In addition to playing mandolin and providing vocals for The Kickin Grass Band since their start, he also had a 7-year run as bass player for the Alt-country band Brothers Grim and has played mandolin with various other bands including The Hotwires. He currently plays bass with acoustic soul band, The Morning After. Jamie also owns a real estate company in Raleigh, NC called Dream Living Realty and his business knowledge and experience guides the management of the band. Jamie is married to the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, Lynda Wittig Dawson and they have one daughter, Claire Elaine. When not playing music or running his business Jamie enjoys spending time with his family, motorcycle riding, disc golf and keeping the band’s 1971 MCI tour bus in good operational condition (which is a full-time job in and of itself!).
Lynda Dawson-
Lynda Wittig Dawson is the lead singer, songwriter and guitar player with Raleigh-based bluegrass and Americana outfit, the Kickin Grass Band. Her true-to-life songwriting, distinct vocals and tasteful guitar have been a hallmark of the band’s Americana and rootsy sound from their start in 2002. Originally from Basking Ridge, NJ, Lynda began her music career singing in a cappella and choral ensembles and picked up the guitar from her folk-trio band mates in college. The vibrant Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill music scene enticed her to North Carolina in 1999, where she sang with the North Carolina Master Chorale, filled a guitar/vocal spot with country roadhouse band, The Kydells, formed the original folk duo, Innocent Lisa, and performed as a solo acoustic singer-songwriter before discovering the world of bluegrass and roots music at a jam session with mandolin player, Jamie Dawson, in 2001. Lynda and Jamie married in 2003 and the recent birth of their daughter Claire inspired Lynda to focus her time and energy on music, kids and families. Lynda was drawn to the Music Together ® early childhood music program philosophy that making music is our birthright and that all children are musical. Of course! She is now a registered Music Together teacher and center director for Root Songs, providing music classes and experiences for young children, families and communities. She’s currently working on an album of original and traditional kids songs with her new project, Little Root, and dabbles on the clawhammer banjo in her kitchen. When not playing and writing music she loves to knit comfy things, cook for her family and friends, and enjoy rare moments of quiet family time with Jamie and Claire in their 1843 North Carolina farm house just outside the Raleigh city limits.
Pattie Hopkins-
Pattie Hopkins began playing the violin at age four and received her Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogue Certification from East Carolina University studying with Joanne Bath and Ara Gregorian. Pattie is an extremely versatile musician and has a tremendous talent for Fiddling as well as Classical Violin. She has studied with Fiddling legends Bobby Hicks and Mark O’Connor. Pattie also has a passion for the education of young fiddlers and also holds her certification in the Mark O’Connor American Violin Method. She resided in Asheville, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee playing regularly on Broadway while helping to start the Bluegrass Underground Project in McMinnville, TN. Pattie has made appearances at a variety of music venues on the East Coast. Pattie has also made special guest appearances with famous and talented musicians including Don Helms, Bobby Osbourne, and Charlie Daniels. She currently holds two private studios in North Carolina and is frequently invited to teach workshops throughout the United States for both Fiddling and Classical instruction. She performs regularly in the Eastern United States and is currently a member of the Trent River Chamber Players, The Long Bay Symphony in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and The Kickin’ Grass Band of Raleigh, North Carolina. She loves spending time sailing on the coast, playing music with friends and loves to travel!
Hank Smith-
Hank Smith started playing banjo when he was 16 in his hometown of Florence, SC after begging his parents to get him one for Christmas. Eighteen years later, he’s still at it and going strong. Hank attended Winthrop University in Rock Hill SC and played in several bands of varying styles. Never one to limit himself to just one style of playing, Hank absorbed other musical influences such as jazz, rock, reggae, classical and of course, bluegrass. In 2002 he met Raleigh NC based jam-grass band, Barefoot Manner and that started his tenure touring nationally and headlining their own festivals year after year. In 2004, Hank was a finalist in the Merlefest Bluegrass Banjo competition and in 2005 received an endorsement from Deering Banjos who built him the custom instrument he plays currently. Today, Hank tours with The Kickin Grass Band and acoustic soul band, The Morning After. He also teaches banjo, guitar and mandolin at The Raleigh Music Academy. Hank will continue to push the boundaries of what the banjo can do and is currently in the process of writing a Concerto for Banjo with violinist, Pattie Hopkins.
Patrick Walsh-
Patrick’s musical adventures began with the study of classical music and piano as a child. After college he joined a country band as lead singer and keyboard player, and from there expanded his pursuits to include bluegrass music and acoustic instrumentation. Patrick formed the Kickin Grass Band in the late 90’s to accompany the Apple Chill Cloggers. After playing with many other talented musicians in the area, he was introduced to Jamie Dawson and Lynda Wittig Dawson. The rest as they say is history. For the past 10 years, Patrick has held down the bass responsibilities and sings both lead and harmony vocals for the KGB. In addition to performing, he owns and operates Castle Rock Gardens, an organic farm in Chatham county NC. Other interests include motorcycling, spending time with his 6 cats and keeping up with his duties as an ambassador for Makers Mark.
