GRAMMY® nominated Missy Raines was named 2021 International Bluegrass Music Association Bass Player of the Year, for the 10th time, more than any other bass player in the history of the organization. Missy Raines has proven herself without doubt as an iconic bluegrass instrumentalist. But with the success of her latest release, Royal Traveller, Raines has stepped into the spotlight as a songwriter and singer as well. Royal Traveller was nominated for a GRAMMY® in 2020 and was produced by Compass Records co-founder and renowned banjoist, Alison Brown.
Currently, Missy is touring with her own band, Missy Raines & Allegheny, a bluegrass ensemble featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and bass. With more than a nod to her deep bluegrass roots, Allegheny offers Missy fertile ground to bring a together a lifetime of traditional inspiration along with her unique approach to string band music.
An experienced teacher, Missy has been teaching bass at workshops and music camps all over the world since 1998 and also heads the ArtistsWorks Academy of Bluegrass School of Bluegrass Bass, an online learning platform that features its’ trademarked Video Exchange technology.
In 1998, Raines became the first woman to win IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year award. Her album, Royal Traveller, highlights this particular piece of Raines’ history with the stand out track “Swept Away”, which features the first 5 women to win IBMA instrumentalist awards – Raines, Brown, Sierra Hull, Becky Buller, and Molly Tuttle. “Swept Away” was named 2018 IBMA Recorded Event of the Year.
Missy’s version of the iconic Flatt & Scruggs “Darlin Pal(s) of Mine”, (from the same album), was named 2019 Instrumental Recording of the Year by the IBMA. The tune features Alison Brown on banjo, Todd Phillips on bass and Mike Bub on bass.
In 2020, Missy received the IBMA Song of the Year award along with co-writers, Becky Buller and Alison Brown for “Chicago Barn Dance”, a song written specifically for the Chicago-based band, Special Consensus.
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The Lake Monsters are friends from many bluegrass and other acoustic music bands in the area that got together for a house gig in the summer of 2023. At the end of the summer they were having so much fun they decided to keep it going. “The idea is simple, straight ahead classic bluegrass – songs we all know and play together when we’re just jamming and doing it just for the fun of it.” It is more the rule than the exception that at any time, any number of the best players from the top bluegrass acts in the area either sub in or make a guest appearance. In that respect it is more of a “collective” of bluegrass musicians.
John Bodle – is a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and bluegrass historian. He has played in numerous Twin Cities area bands including Ivory Bridge, The Mark Kreitzer Band, and LaPlant Road.
Brent Fuqua – is originally from Kansas City and is a lifelong practitioner and student of Americana, Folk and Bluegrass. He has been working as a mandolin player in the Minneapolis area for the last 10 years. Among the acts has worked with are Mother Banjo, Blue Groove, The Tony Rook Band, Mashtun, The Fisheads, and Derek Johnson & Hardgrass.
Marty Marrone – is originally from the Chicago area and toured for years as a member of national bluegrass band Special Consensus. Since moving to Minneapolis he had his own band Tangled Roots, and spent years as the lead singer and guitarist in The High 48’s. He also plays in The Pale Ales Bluegrass Band.
Rina Rossi is a stalwart in the Old Time Music and square dance scene in the area. She and her husband AJ Srubas have a popular band Steam Machine and formerly were founding members of Back Up & Push.
Tom Schaefer is ubiquitous. If there’s a fiddle needed in any situation it’s likely him. Some of Tom’s more recent acts are Honky Tonk Jump, Mashtun, The Mark Kreitzer Band. He also appears with many national acts that come through town.
