Biography
Missy Raines, born April 6, 1962, in Short Gap, West Virginia, began playing bass as a teenager and started touring professionally early in her career, hailing from a region rich in bluegrass tradition. She quickly rose to prominence in the bluegrass scene, working with legends such as Mac Wiseman, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves, and Eddie & Martha Adcock starting in 1985, and later with contemporaries like Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis, Dudley Connell, Don Rigsby, and the Brother Boys in the 1990s. Her tenure with the Claire Lynch Band from 2005 to 2008, alongside Jim Hurst, solidified her reputation, during which she became the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Bass Player of the Year award in 1998, eventually securing 10 such honors (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2019, 2020, 2021).
In 2008, Raines formed Missy Raines & The New Hip, a progressive ensemble blending bluegrass with Americana, jazz, and rock elements, featuring Ethan Ballinger on guitar, Jarrod Walker on mandolin, and drummers like Cody Walker, Robert Crawford, or Josh Fox. The band released albums including Inside Out (2009), New Frontier (2013), and later Royal Traveller (2018) on Compass Records, showcasing her skills as a singer, songwriter, and bandleader who recruited young talent. Her musical style evolved from straight-ahead bluegrass to innovative fusions while maintaining deep roots in the genre, earning a Grammy nomination for Royal Traveller and recognition for tracks like 'Swept Away,' featuring the first five women IBMA instrumentalist winners.
Raines' legacy as a trailblazing bassist, teacher, and innovator continues, with recent shifts back to traditional bluegrass via her band Allegheny and album Highlander, reflecting her lifelong passion. She has hosted events like the 2024 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards and remains a mentor in the bluegrass community.
Fun Facts
- Missy Raines named her band 'The New Hip' after recent joint replacement surgery, reflecting her playful spirit and commitment to leading her own group.
- She still plays the same bass she started with as a young teenager, connecting her current career to her earliest beginnings.
- 'Swept Away' from Royal Traveller features the first five women to win IBMA instrumentalist awards and was named 2018 IBMA Recorded Event of the Year.
- Raines hosted the 2024 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards alongside bassist John Cowan, showcasing her stature in the industry.
Members
- Missy Raines - eponymous, original
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Eddie Adcock - Early touring partner and bluegrass iconoclast who introduced her to legends (Tours starting 1985, collaborations with Mac Wiseman, Josh Graves, Kenny Baker) [1985 onward]
- Mac Wiseman - Legendary influence and collaborator (Tours and performances) [1980s-1990s]
- Kenny Baker - Bluegrass fiddle legend and early collaborator (Tours and recordings) [1980s]
Key Collaborators
- Ethan Ballinger - Guitarist, co-producer, core member of The New Hip (Inside Out (2009), New Frontier (2013)) [2008-2010s]
- Jarrod Walker - Mandolinist, core member of The New Hip (Inside Out, New Frontier) [2008-2010s]
- Jim Hurst - Duo partner and Claire Lynch Band member (Two (1999), Synergy (2003), Claire Lynch albums New Day, Crowd Favorites) [1998-2008]
- Claire Lynch - Band leader in Claire Lynch Band (New Day (2006), Crowd Favorites (2007)) [2005-2008]
Artists Influenced
- Alison Brown - Shared milestone as women IBMA winners; featured on collaborative track ('Swept Away' on Royal Traveller)
- Sierra Hull - Young talent featured in collaboration highlighting women instrumentalists ('Swept Away')
- Becky Buller - Collaborated on track celebrating female IBMA winners ('Swept Away')
- Molly Tuttle - Emerging artist featured with Raines on landmark track ('Swept Away')
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Missy Raines & The New Hip has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.