NEWS

Featuring Musicians Sharing Their Music

April Event Will Feature DaShawn Hickman & Sacred Steel

Music Speaks is an inspirational musician series that will take place on the Barium Springs campus during the spring of 2026. This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. A variety of guest musicians will perform some of their music for the local community.

“Pedal steel is the main instrument in the church I grew up in,” says DaShawn Hickman. “Where most churches have organs that lead their services, ours are led by pedal steel.”

One of the foremost contemporary practitioners of Sacred Steel, a blues-gospel tradition dating back to the Pentecostal-Holiness churches of the 1930s, Hickman grew up not only hearing the pedal steel in the tiny House of God church his family attended in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, but also listening to his mother play lap steel in their home.

Hickman picked up the instrument at the age of 5, when his mother put it down to concentrate on ministering, and by the age of 12 his local reputation as a pedal steel player was such that he was regularly asked to play at other area churches. Dashawn has most recently spent time traveling with Cirque du Soleil as a member of the Songblazers band, which is a new country-themed show - a first of its kind. More recently you would have seen Hickman on AGT (Americas Got Talent) along with friend and fellow musician, Steve Ray Ladson. They placed fourth overall.

Hickman has also graced the cover of many notable music magazines, including Blues Blast and All about Jaz, as well as being featured in Vintage Guitar Magazine. He was also recognized as one of the country's best upcoming artists with nominations from IBA (International Blues Association) and the Blues Blast Music awards. He has worked with many notable artists such as Charlie Hunter, Shamika Copeland, Jerry Douglas, and Will Kimbrough, to name a few. Be sure to check out him whenever you hear he’s in town.

This event is free and open to the public. Educators are encouraged to have their students attend. All musicians and music lovers are also encouraged to participate.

Refreshments for the monthly spring 2026 music events are generously provided by The Exchange Club of Mooresville / Lake Norman.

Location of Event

The event will take place each month at Children’s Hope Alliance Heartstrings Program Gracie Building: 183 Barium Springs Drive, Statesville, NC

About Children's Hope Alliance

Children’s Hope Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a long history of child advocacy and welfare dating back over 130 years. Last year, Children’s Hope Alliance helped over 1,800 children and families across North Carolina. Programs and services create hope for hurting children and families in three ways: healing the hurt for those who are troubled, abused or neglected; providing a safe home through foster care and adoption; and encouraging a healthy start through educational, prevention, and developmental programs.

About Iredell Arts Council

Iredell Arts Council’s mission is “To initiate, support and advance arts and cultural activities in Iredell County”

For more information contact:
Paula Miller / Heartstrings Program Manager
Children’s Hope Alliance
183 Barium Springs Drive
Statesville, NC 28617
Cell: (704) 495-1272