Lynda Wittig, the blonde-locked lead singer and guitarist of Chapel Hill’s KICKIN’ GRASS, sings it straight as The Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe taught it, almost taking entire verses at one, up-from-earth key before stressing select syllables with a brief upscale swing. She’s backed by solid players all around, highlighted by Harnett County mandolin-and-fiddle pair Jamie Dawson and Matt Hooper. They release their second album, On the Short Rows, at The ArtsCenter on Friday, Jan. 14, along with HOOVERVILLE, who releases an excellent sophomore outing, Follow That Dust Trail Back Home, with the other half of the set. Tickets are $12 for the 8 p.m. double bill.
