Missy Raines, a 14-time International Bluegrass Music Award winner and the most awarded bass player in IBMA history, proudly announces the release of her most bluegrass-centric album to date, "Highlander." Set to release on February 9th, this album marks a return to Raines’ bluegrass roots, offering a musical homage to the peaks and valleys of her native West Virginia.
In "Highlander," Raines collaborates with producer Alison Brown, delivering 10 stunning tracks that feature her touring band, Allegheny, and special guest appearances from bluegrass luminaries like Laurie Lewis, Dudley Connell, Danny Paisley, Kathy Mattea, Michael Cleveland, and more. Raines' deep connection to her musical heritage shines through in each song, reflecting a journey that began in Short Gap, WV, in the 1970s.
Raines describes "Highlander" as a "sort of homecoming," a project that allowed her to reflect on her life's path and her deep-rooted love for bluegrass music. The album kicks off with the Gary Ferguson original “Listen to the Lonesome Wind,” performed by Tristan Scroggins (mandolin, vocals), and navigates through a collection of tracks that showcase the unique talents of each guest artist and band member.
Highlights include "Ghost of a Love," a duet with Dudley Connell that channels the classic bluegrass fast-waltz feel, and the timely "Who Needs a Mine?," an original confronting the opioid crisis, featuring fellow West Virginian Kathy Mattea. Raines also collaborates with California-based bluegrass pioneer Laurie Lewis on the Nathan Bell-penned song “I Would Be a Blackbird.”
Producer Alison Brown, a banjo extraordinaire and a musical contemporary of Raines, describes working on "Highlander" as a lesson in Mid-Atlantic bluegrass. Brown's contributions, along with those of the impressive array of guest musicians, create a rich tapestry of sound that encapsulates Raines' extensive knowledge of and passion for bluegrass.
Missy Raines' "Highlander" transcends the boundaries of a traditional album; it embodies a heartfelt homage to the music and community that profoundly influenced her life and career. This record invites both long-time fans and new listeners on a genuine and moving exploration into the essence of bluegrass music, showcasing Raines' passion and dedication to the genre.
