- Annie Raines
Annie Raines, born near
Boston, Massachusetts ,July 3 1969 , took upharmonica at age 17. As a freshman, she leftAntioch College to pursue a musical career. Fascinated by the sounds ofMuddy Waters ,Little Walter Jacobs ,Big Walter andSonny Boy Williamson , she spent countless hours listening to and absorbing the music of theChicago blues masters. She began to busk locally and played gigs at local Boston clubs, and later traveled to Chicago where she met and played withPinetop Perkins ,Louis Meyers , andJames Cotton . While working regularly on the regional blues circuit, Annie taught harmonica and began developing her own style within the blues tradition. Fast becoming one of the most sought-after harmonica players inNew England , she had earned a reputation for playing with energy, soulfulness and taste, but she was ready to take her musical education to a deeper level. The, she met and began working with country blues masterPaul Rishell , who lent musical support to her considerable harmonica, piano, singing and songwriting skills. This gave her the perfect opportunity to studycountry blues innovators such asNoah Lewis andSonny Terry , and, more recently, to take up themandolin .External links
* [http://www.paulandannie.com/ Paul Rishell and Annie Raines' website]
* [http://www.hohnerusa.com/artistaraines.shtml Annie Raines bio and sound sample] on Hohner website
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