Missy Raines is a trailblazer in bluegrass. She is the most awarded bass player in the history of the International Bluegrass Music Association. On her new release HIGHLANDER, Raines gives a tip of the hat to the region of West Virginia where she grew up and developed her deep passion for bluegrass music. Working again with producer Alison Brown, she and her touring band Allegheny are joined by a thoughtfully curated list of guests including Kathy Mattea, Laurie Lewis, Dudley Connell, Michael Cleveland and Danny Paisley to create an album that at once honors Raines’ deep bluegrass roots even as she cultivates them.
Stand out tracks include “Who Needs a Mine,” a Raines original that reflects on the impact of the opioid crisis in West Virginia featuring fellow West Virginian Kathy Mattea, “I Would Be a Blackbird” featuring fellow female bluegrass pioneer Laurie Lewis and the album’s first single “These Ole Blues” with bluegrass icon Danny Paisley sharing vocal duties with Raines.
GRAMMY® nominated and 10 time International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year, Missy Raines, has received this honor more than any other bass player in the history of the organization. She is a bass players’ bass player, a singer, songwriter, teacher, sideman, and bandleader. In addition to the Bass Player awards, she’s received multiple awards from the IBMA for Recorded Event of the Year and Song of the Year. In 2019, Missy was featured in The Country Music Hall of Fame as part of their American Currents exhibit. In January of 2020, Missy debuted on the Grand Ole Opry with her band, Allegheny.
