7:00 PM - Missy Raines & The New Hip

A beloved figure in bluegrass and a pioneering force in acoustic music, Missy Raines' adventurous musical spirit has always been her compass. Launching her career with experimental bluegrass outfit Cloud Valley, Raines next toured the country with Eddy and Martha Adcock. Soon she was lending her bass skills to the Masters (Adcock, Kenny Baker, Josh Graves and Jesse McReynolds). Raines joined Claire Lynch's popular Front Porch Band, and developed a successful duo with band mate Jim Hurst. Their CDs and live performances pushed the envelope on how much music two people with acoustic instruments could make. A stint with the Brother Boys opened Raines' eyes to the value of spontaneity and immediacy in her musical approach.

Missy Raines is now stepping out to make a longtime dream come true; creating a fusing of bluegrass virtuosity, jazz-tinged groove and a song-driven sensibility with a hot band.

ETHAN BALLINGER
A protege of Matt Flinner, Ethan Ballinger is making waves in the mandolin world at the ripe old age of 21. The son of Cluster Plucker's Dale and Kris Ballinger, Ethan pursued his own path taking up rock and blues electric guitar. Coming full circle, Ethan has now turned to the mandolin to channel the diverse influences of jazz, bluegrass and rock into acoustic music.

Performing with Missy Raines

MICHAEL WITCHER
Resonator guitarist Michael Witcher, a key player in the California music scene, has logged formative stints with Laurie Lewis, Sean and Sara Watkins and Tyler Hilton. At 27, his impressive credits include performing with The Witcher Brothers, Peter Rowan and Tony Rice, Dolly Parton, Benmont Tentch, The Laurel Canyon Ramblers and Chris Jones among many others. Michael has done many sessions, playing on recordings with such artists as Dwight Yoakam, Fernando Ortega, Joan Osborne, Sara Watkins, Tyler Hilton and many others. Michael brings an LA sensibility and a great sense of humor to the new hip.

MEGAN McCORMICK
Megan McCormick has been turning heads with her guitar playing. At age 21, she has been featured in Flatpicking Guitar magazine and has performed on an IBMA nominated Record Event of the Year. Her range matches her impressive chops; she moves easily from the bluegrass of Valerie Smith to the edginess of The Everybodyfields and the jazz-tinged groove of missy raines & the new hip.

LEE HOLLAND
On drums, Lee Holland rounds out the quintet with a range of pop and rock influences. A Belmont grad and Nashville native, Lee's attention to nuance and his powerful drive expand the breadth of the New Hip's singular sound.