About Lydia Hamby

Lydia Hamby is a bluegrass vocalist, mandolinist, and songwriter bringing a fresh, thoughtful voice to the genre through original music rooted in tradition and personal storytelling. She is signed to Gravy Records, where she continues developing a growing catalog of material..

A lifelong musician, Lydia began classical piano studies at age four before discovering bluegrass through church music and later through East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program. She toured for two years with the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, performing nationally and internationally and collaborating with artists including Becky Buller and Rhonda Vincent. Her debut single, “The Cards You’ve Been Dealt,” featuring Tim Stafford, garnered national attention on bluegrass airplay charts and established her as an emerging artist to watch. As a bandleader, Lydia has performed at festivals including the Vine Grove Bluegrass Festival and the NC State Bluegrass Festival, and at iconic venues such as Randy Wood’s Pickin’ Parlor and The Down Home.

Lydia holds two degrees from East Tennessee State University, including an M.A. in Appalachian Studies, where her research focused on women in bluegrass. She now teaches at ETSU, contributing to the next generation of roots musicians in a program that shaped her. With a clear artistic vision and an unwavering dedication to her craft, Lydia Hamby is carving out a distinctive place in today’s bluegrass community.