Jim Hurst & Missy Raines

Friday , February 02, 2001
12:00 am
Location: Elderly Instruments
meet-and-greet (free)

Missy Raines plays bass and sings, but you'd better not lump her into the category of "another backup bass player." She approaches the instrument with imagination and passion, and in her capable hands, the bass is as often a lead instrument as it is a foundation. Small wonder, then, that she was named the IBMA Bass Player of the Year three years running; 1998, 1999 and 2000... the only woman ever to have earned this prestigious award! Jim Hurst is already a well known figure in the worlds of bluegrass and acoustic music. He's paid his dues; he was a working member of the touring bands for both Trisha Yearwood and Holly Dunn, and eventually landed a spot with Claire Lynch in the Front Porch String Band (with Missy). However, tossing names around hardly does justice to Jim's talent. Melding influences from country, blues, fingerpicking, bluegrass, jazz, old rock and lots of acoustic styles, Hurst is arguably one of the most astoundingly talented guitarists in any genre of music, and his vocals are sincere and convincing. Put the pair together, and you'd expect magic... and that's exactly what happened, resulting in their recorded debut as a duo, "Two." Hurst and Raines exude a charisma that feels eternal, be it through strong bluegrass tracks, solid Americana offerings or tunes that hint heavily at both jazz and adult progressive. "Two" is an album that will get into your psyche and stay there for a long, long time. Pick up a copy at this appearance and Jim & Missy will be glad to personally sign it for you. Because of their tight schedule, Jim & Missy may or may not have time to play a couple tunes, informally and acoustic at this appearance. Do plan on catching their concert at 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 2 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in East Lansing, presented by the Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse. More information at http://www.tenpoundfiddle.org

Check out recordings we carry featuring Jim Hurst & Missy Raines