Missy Returns to Augusta Heritage Center for Bluegrass Week July 2019

I love the Augusta Heritage Center in my home state of West Virginia, and I’m so happy to share that I’ll be teaching Bass during Bluegrass Week this July 2019.

Internationally renowned bluegrass bassist Missy Raines bringing latest act to Landhaven B&B

Read write-up on Reading Eagle

The Roots Music Report's Top 50 Contemporary Bluegrass Album Chart

Excited to report “Royal Traveller” is at #2 in The Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Contemporary Bluegrass Album Chart

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Sharing some personal news today. My latest blog, The Ides of March.

So, I’ve been away for a long time.  But today, I’m writing and trying not to edit much.  Partly because I need to write and partly because editing takes time.  I need to write today because not writing is keeping me from getting through today.  

Having a Coffee with.... by Richard Thompson

This is fun series in which we ask bluegrass music personalities, some famous, some not so famous, about some of their interests as well as about the music that they love.  

Missy Raines was born in Short Gap in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and the location of Stewart’s Tavern, a wonderful example of late 18th century architecture and one of the oldest two-story log buildings standing in Mineral County. 

Her parents were big bluegrass music fans, going to shows before Missy was born. She remembers going to festivals when she was as young as five or six years of age. As well as being exposed to live music at shows, she enjoyed listening to local musicians who would come to her home too. 

Missy on "Live and Let Live" Bluegrass Pride anthem feat. Laurie Lewis, Melody Walker and Justin Hiltner.

I was honored to be asked to play bass on the all-star cast recording of “Live and Let Live”, featuring Laurie Lewis, Melody Walker and Justin Hiltner among others. The song was written with a clear message of inclusion and unqualified acceptance and speaks to the exact mission of Bluegrass Pride. A message very close to my heart! See the video here

In Their Words: “This song was written in honor of Bluegrass Pride during our first season and almost immediately became our unofficial anthem here in San Francisco. Its message of inclusion and unqualified acceptance speaks to the exact mission of Bluegrass Pride and the way we want the world to be. Making this music video was really a way for us to show people what Bluegrass Pride is really about. When you watch this video and listen to this song, you can truly feel the community that made it and all the love that makes Bluegrass Pride so special. As we continue to grow, we hope that folks can take this message with them, and maybe, in the end, we can spread a little more unconditional love throughout the world and make tomorrow a little bit better.”

Missy at Ashokan Bluegrass Camp August 2019

I’m so looking forward to teaching Bass at Ashokan Bluegrass Camp this year along with dear friends, Claire Lynch, Laurie Lewis, Tony Trischka, Tim Stafford, Matt Flinner and Phil Leadbetter in the beautiful Catskill woods of New York.

American Currents - The Music of 2018 Exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame

I am so humbled and honored to be included in the American Currents Exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame (OMG Ya’ll!!)  along with my cohorts, The First Ladies of Bluegrass, Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull, and Molly Tuttle. The exhibit opens March 8, 2019 and will be in place till February 2020.   Read more

The Bluegrass Situation, Missy Raines: A Traveller Through Generations of Bluegrass

I sat down with Justin Hiltner from Bluegrass Situation and we talked about the making of Royal Traveller and lots more. 


“Royal Traveller, her brand new album, sheds the New Hip moniker, but keeps the exploration, inspired by the handle of a suitcase and her ever-nomadic life.

But this isn’t an album that you’d simply file away as a musical fulfillment of the “it’s about the journey, not the destination” cliche. It’s an open and honest telling of the realities of a life in transit, a life in flux, in constant motion. The countless miles Raines has traveled are a gorgeous, weathered patina on her songwriting as well as the careful, intentional arrangements — and rearrangements — of these songs.”

— Justin Hiltner, The Bluegrass Situation

Read full review on The Bluegrass Situation

Bluegrass Today Reviews Missy Raines – Royal Traveller

“Unerringly affecting and exquisitely executed, Royal Traveller ought to take Raines to the wider recognition she so clearly deserves.”

— Lee Zimmerman, Bluegrass Today

Read full review on Bluegrass Today

Folk Radio UK Reviews Missy Raines – Royal Traveller

“Exceptional musical arrangements permeate the album throughout, and the choice of musical covers has been astutely made. The influences that Raines has garnered and absorbed are truly eclectic and reflected fully in this project. Kate Campbell’s Free World, Ola Belle & David Reed’s I’ve Endured, made famous in recordings by Del McCoury ̧ as well as Tim O’Brien ̧ are both given memorable re-workings, before two co-compositions, Under A Dark Sky, and To Here From There further underline her musical creativity. The latter being the track that I have had on repeat play, possibly the best song that Mary-Chapin Carpenter never wrote.”

— David Pratt, Folk Radio UK

Read full review at Folk Radio UK

Out & About: Missy Raines at Floyd Country Store

We are headed to the iconic Floyd Country Store!

No Treble - Missy Raines Releases Royal Traveller

“Seven-time International Bluegrass Music Awards Bass Player of the Year winner Missy Raines has just released a new album that reasserts why she is so renowned. Royal Traveller features eleven songs that span bluegrass, indie folk, and jam grass with a jazz influence.”

Read full review by Kevin Johnson on No Treble

Show Review: Missy Raines’ CD Release Show For “Royal Traveller” At The Station Inn, Nashville

“Raines’ is transcendent, both on the album and on stage during her release. Attuned to an unseen world, she seemed to be anchored deeply within her songs; driving the backbone with her ‘follow me’ bass runs. She was warm natured and focused, chawing in on the quick bluegrass progressions while calmly consoling the quick timbres of the other players. She was energetic yet also magnetically composed.”

— Collins De La Cour

Read full release by Collins De La Cour at Americana Highways

My new album, Royal Traveller, releases today!!

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Royal Traveller - (2018)- GRAMMY® Nominated Album 2020

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My brand new album, Royal Traveller,  produced by Alison Brown on Compass Records, is available today! Thanks to all of the special guests including Tim O’Brien, Claire Lynch, Amy Ray, Mark T. Jordan, Ethan Ballinger, George Jackson, Ben Garnett, 10 String Symphony, Rachel Baiman, Christian Sedelmyer, Trent Wagler, Matt Flinner, Bryan McDowell, Ed Snodderly, Eugene Wolf, Josh Day, Jon Radford, Alison Brown, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Becky Buller, Ben Surratt, Dan Dugmore, Stuart Duncan, David Benedict, Jake Stargel, and Cody Martin.

Swept Away wins Recorded Event of the Year

What an amazing night!  My single, Swept Away, featuring Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle won Recorded Event of the Year during the IBMA Awards in Raleigh NC September, 2018

Missy at Bluegrass Camp Germany 2019

Happy to share that I’ll be teaching Bass at Bluegrass Camp Germany 2019! Looking forward to attending this camp at Fischbachau, Germany May 30 - June 2, 2019.

2018 IBMA Bass Player of the Year Nomination

Another nomination!!  Thanks to all voting members within the International Bluegrass Music Association for the honor of this years’ Bass Player of the Year nomination.

Swept Away receives Recorded Event of the Year IBMA Nomination

Wow folks!! My single, “Swept Away” featuring Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle, has been nominated for Recorded Event of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association.  I am so grateful and honored. Thanks to all!