THE MISSY RAINES TRIO

STOPS BY BARTLETT, TN --

WE'RE IN LUCK!

May 8, 2019

L to R: Ben Garnett (guitar, vocals), Missy Raines (bass, vocals),

and George Jackson (fiddle, banjo, vocals)

        WE LOVE THE LAIDBACK FEEL of a house concert presented by folks like Mike and Lisa Albert, who offer great music, good food and beverages, the family dog Waverly, and lots of friendship. Mike and Lisa recently climbed the heights of the bluegrass and folk music world with their selection of the fine Missy Raines Trio, who were on their way to perform in Texas and stopped in to entertain us. We go back quite a way with Missy Raines, to her days with the likes of Claire Lynch, Jim Hurst, and too many others to count. In case you missed a few Missy facts, she hails from Short Gap, West Virginia, and furthermore, she proudly totes a 1937 Kay bass which has on it some interesting touches from previous owners. Missy said that her dad bought the Kay bass originally for himself, but Missy wound up with it later on when she switched from playing guitar.

 

L to R:  Ben Garnett, Missy Raines, George Jackson

       Missy is a seven-time winner of the Bass Player of the Year from the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), and she is by far one of the most distinguished female instrumentalists of the current era. Her trio consists of major-leaguers Texan Ben Garnett (guitar and vocals), along with New Zealander George Jackson (fiddle, banjo, and vocals). Missy plays her bass in a vigorous manner, bowing it on occasion, and she handles vocal parts as well.

       Here is the song selection from the first set by the Missy Raines Trio:  Angeline, Man of Constant Sorrow (a unique version), Allegheny Town, Under a Dark Sky (from her "Royal Traveller" album, 3rd one with Alison Brown and Garry West's Compass Records), Swept Away ( also from "Royal Traveller," selected as the IBMA's "Recorded Event of the Year"), I've Endured, and South (from George Jackson's newest album called "Time and Place," which is a fantastic fiddle album for driving and listening in your car).

 

L to R: Missy, George, and Ben at the record table during the break

       Following a short break for delicious refreshments and a trip past the record table to view albums, T-shirts, and other goodies from the trio, fans returned to their seats and the trio returned to perform their second set: Whiskerhead Goes to Leningrad (great title), Fearless Love, West Virginia Coal Miner's Blues, Buckets of Rain, Royal Traveller (title cut on the album, named after a thrift store suitcase Missy bought because the inside of the suitcase reminded her of her mother's powder or perfume; she also noticed that on the handle of the suitcase which she purchased was the label 'Royal Traveller'), and the final song was with George Jackson on banjo playing Blackjack.

Waverly with Melinda Bailey Buchanan

Waverly just chillin' to the music

       What a fine evening with these 'royal travelers'. I must tell you that Missy took her time thanking the Alberts for their hospitality, this writer for asking the Alberts to hold the concert in their home, and the amazing Joe Taylor, who is now 93 and wasn't able to be at the concert. Missy and Joe's friendship goes back many years, and she thinks of him as her "second dad." While she was at the Alberts' home, she called and talked with Joe. It did them both good. Some may not know that Joe Taylor was an original member of Memphis' own Tennessee Gentlemen bluegrass band. The others were Troy Castleberry, Bob Bowen, and Willie Burroughs. Joe is the last surviving member, and we wish him well for years to come. Joe is special, and he did so want to be there to hear the Missy Raines Trio.

 

For more information:

Missy Raines   www.missyraines.com

Ben Garnett   www.bengarnett.net

George Jackson   www.georgejacksonmusic.com and Facebook

Compass Records   www.compassrecords.com

Find these musicians on YouTube to hear more fine music from them.