Jim Hurst & Missy Rains

Friday , September 26, 2003
05:00 pm
Location:
in-store performance (free)

Guitarist Jim Hurst and bassist Missy Raines are two of today's most creative and compelling performers in acoustic music. Their unique sound is both sensitive and powerful. Together, they draw on their varied musical experiences to create a diverse blend of original, new acoustic, bluegrass, swing, and country blues.

Missy Raines was voted "Bass Player of the Year" by the International Bluegrass Music Association for 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. She was also named the 1999 "Bass Fiddle Player of the Year" by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America, and Bluegrass Now magazine readers voted Missy the 1999 "Fans' Choice" Bass Player. Jim Hurst is the IBMA 2001 Guitar Player of the year. Jim Hurst was featured on the cover of the Jan/Feb 1999 issue of Flatpicking Guitar magazine. Together with Missy, he was nominated for IBMA's "Emerging Artist of the Year" in 2000 and 2001. Jim has toured with many top artists such as Trisha Yearwood and Holly Dunn and most recently was featured on Sara Evans' RCA/BMG recording "No Place That Far", whose single climbed to number #1 on the Billboard Chart. In 1999, he released his solo debut, "Open Window"

Missy's solo recording "My Place In The Sun" (MR Records, 1999) was named one of the Top Five Bluegrass recordings of 1998 by the Chicago Tribune. It was also nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year in 1999 by the IBMA.

This duo's ability to cross genres with their music is evidenced by the release of a duet album on Pinecastle Records titled "Two" (2000). Although described by bluegrass purists as "on the edge", it has been dubbed a "triumph" by Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine. There have been feature articles on Missy in Strings Magazine (7/99), The Washington Times (1/00), and Insight Magazine (3/99). Jim was the subject of an article in Acoustic Guitar Magazine (Wtr/2000).

Up until December, 2000 Jim and Missy toured with Grammy-nominee Claire Lynch and The Front Porch String Band. They are featured on Claire's 1996 CMT/TNN video, "My Heart Is A Diamond"… on the group's 1997 Grammy-nominated Rounder release "Silver and Gold"… and on her latest release, "Love Light" (August 2000). They have performed with her on a number of national TV shows including TNN's PrimeTime Country, The Grand Ole Opry LIVE, and This Week In Country Music.

What others are saying about Jim Hurst…

"…a red-hot flatpicking guitarist, a strong, soulful vocalist, and a dexterous, versatile fingerpicker."
Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine

"Jim Hurst has an attractive vocal delivery with his songs…but it has to take a back seat to his incredible flat-picking guitar work."
Country Music News

What others are saying about Missy Raines…

"…Raines is among those reshaping the role of the bluegrass bassist…"
Bass Player Magazine

"Whether it's blues, jazz, big-band swing, or her most familiar home in bluegrass music, Missy Raines appears equally at ease."
Strings Magazine

And, don't miss Jim & Missy at the Cooper's Glen Bluegrass Festival in Kalamazoo Saturday, September 27. More information at www.naturecenter.org

Check out recordings we carry featuring Jim Hurst & Missy Raines