MISSY RAINES has proven herself without doubt as one of the iconic bluegrass instrumentalist of all time. She is the first woman to win IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year award and she went on to win the title more than any other bass player in the history of the organization, male or female. On her newest release on Compass Records, ‘Royal Traveller’ Raines has stepped into the spotlight as a songwriter for the first time. The album digs deep into her family life and her upbringing in West Virginia. The stand out track “Swept Away”, features the 5 first women to win IBMA instrumentalist awards, Raines, Alison Brown (banjo), Sierra Hull (mandolin), Becky Buller (fiddle), and Molly Tuttle (guitar). “Swept Away” was named 2018 IBMA “Recorded Event of the Year”.
WILLIE NILE was hailed by the New York Times as “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises. Willie has toured across the U.S. with the Who and has sung with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. As the induction program from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame says: “His live performances are legendary.” His 12th studio album ‘Children of Paradise’ was released in the summer of 2018.