fudge
butter…cocoa…sugar…milk…vanilla…
bohemian… peanut butter.
elusive. obsessive. simple. complete. joy.
rapture. rapture.
Regret.
condemnation.
repentance.
acceptance.
Headed to Victor Wooten’s Bass Camp Today
Loading up my bass later today and making the short drive west of Nashville to a very special farm near Olny, TN to the home of bassist Victor Wooten and his world renowned Bass camps. I’ll be joining forces with folks like Steve Bailey, legend Chuck Rainey and Dave Welsch. Can’t wait!
..and, you’re thinking, what’s this?… is the blog back?? yes, and I’ve been posting here again after a long hiatus. So, see you again soon….
Another reason I love (really love) Nashville. Drove cross town and saw some really amazing experimental music in someone’s living room last night…I do love that about this town…world class art happening in every corner. I know this is a terrible pic (blame my not-so-smart-phone) but I kind of love the simplicity of the shot- and the setting- as a backdrop to the incredible music we were treated to.
Check out Travis LaPlante here and if he comes to a living room near you…you have to go. http://www.travislaplante.com/#
What are you listening to?
What are you listening to?
Pulled an old cd off the shelf the other day, Lucinda Williams’ Car Wheels on a Gravel Road…and while I was listening, I fell in love with it all over again. Ok, the truth is that I actually fell in love for the first time. Yea, I admit it, I didn’t get Lucinda the first time
and I’m not even sure why I pulled it out and started listening again. But I’ve learned to go with these impulses and usually find they lead me down paths I’m meant to travel. So, while I Lost It and Can’t Let Go are on a continual joyous loop in my brain, I’ve found a whole range of emotions being poked and prodded inside. Inspiration. Light. Victory. Sweet.
So, what are YOU listening to? What do you have on your shelf that needs re-visiting?
Take a listen to something you may have set aside a while ago, and you just might fall in love… after all, it is Spring!
The garden is in- earlier than ever- thanks to an abnormally warm winter. Trying a raised bed/square foot approach this year. It’s very organized and appeals to the ‘Stackenblocken’ factor at chez Raines-Surratt. Right angle gardening…Yes!
I had the most fabulous time at Sore Fingers Music Camp in the UK this year! This camp is in its 17th year and John and Moira Wirtz and their amazing staff have got it figured out. I felt at home immediately and just loved the spirit that pervaded throughout the week. Great music and a great hang all around.
Here’s our recent EPK for a quick look at what the New Hip is all about…
When the Day is Done Performed by Missy Raines & the New Hip
Director: Craig Hill
Missy Raines, Ethan Ballinger, Jarrod Walker, Robert Crawford
Recorded and Filmed at Rec Room Studio, Nashville TN
Old Friends, New CD- Eddie and Martha
Spent a beautiful day this month with my dear friends, Eddie and Martha Adcock. They are working on a brand new CD which is all old Country Gentlemen tunes done Eddie and Martha style. I was thrilled to put down some bass on the tracks. Eddie and Martha fans and Country Gentlemen fans all- be on the lookout for this new project.
My day…
I drove out to their studio in Lebanon on a gorgeous October day to find Eddie waiting for me in the driveway. He wanted to make sure I got loaded in the right door. After loading in, I followed Eddie upstairs to see Martha. We had a lot of songs to do in a short amount of time but it was hard to put down the coffee and get up from the comfy den where the three of us sat talking, laughing, catching up, and sharing stories from the past.
Eddie and I went down into their studio and began work. Martha had already laid down her impeccable guitar rhythm tracks and written perfect charts which made my job very easy! Then came the songs- This Morning at Nine, Two Little Boys, Down Where the Still Waters Flow, Amelia Earhart… the songs I grew up listening to, the songs by which all standards were measured. Yes, a little background history here might be in order. You see, my Mom (and Dad) were huge Country Gentlemen fans. In fact, there were times when I thought the Holy Trinity was John Duffey, Charlie Waller and Eddie Adcock… ok, so not really, but you get what I’m saying. Their music was constantly on the stereo and life stopped when they sang. Ok, so back to the recording. Just getting to hear these tunes again and play on these cuts was a sweet trip down memory lane.
When we were done, Martha brought down a tray laden with homemade cake, cheese, crackers and fruit. Eddie and I sat contentedly and ate and talked and laughed and that time spent with one of my heroes continues to wash over me like a warm bath.
Eddie and Martha are two of the finest humans on this earth. They are kind, giving, intelligent, talented, and always learning, always living and striving to be better. I’m proud to know them and count them among my friends.
As I was leaving that day, we all stood outside saying goodbye and as much as I needed to go, I sure didn’t want to… I looked up and saw the van.. THE van that I traveled in during my time in the band. I don’t think they drive it much any more, but it’s still there and still could be a ‘contender’. That van symbolizes a great deal for me. So I took a photo of it to share. Yes, you say, that’s a small van. We carried a PA system in it which we set up most nights (and took down). Load/unload, Load/unload…drive, play, eat, sleep, repeat. No seats besides the 2 front ones. Which meant I had an improvised seat on top of a mixing board with a cushion of course… no seat belt, no laying down, mostly no air conditioning. Those were the days! And yes, they were! Wouldn’t trade a minute of it.
Missy
Missy Raines & the New Hip appearing Saturday, Oct 9, 5:30- 6:45pm on the Meadow Stage
We got a great review from The Reading Eagle on our show Friday night!
Including a nod to the best sound man in the business, Ben Surratt! “The audience that filled City Park on Friday night experienced not only perfect weather, but delightful music by Missy Raines and the New Hip, enhanced by the best sound technology I’ve heard in that venue.”
Hey Folks!
Check out Nashville’s Premier Music Camp- with instructors, Tim Stafford, Ronnie Stewart, Mike Witcher, Fletcher Bright, Matt Flinner, Rick Cairnes, and yours truly with a few spots left in my Bass Class… All Levels Welcome!
Ya’ll Come! -missy
Burning ears, pt. 14: Dominick!!
The Durango Herald gives Dom his props as the New Hip heads west to play Pagosa Springs Folk ‘n Bluegrass Fest:
Dominick Leslie represents the Colorado sound when playing with Missy Raines & The New Hip. Originally from Boulder and exceeding all expectations of talent imposed on any teenager, this mandolinist started playing music as a toddler, writing his own songs at the age of 12 and making his first album at 15. Now a student at Berklee College of Music, he adds jazz and classical influences when playing with seven-time International Bluegrass Music Association bass player of the year Raines and her band.
