The Claire Lynch Band

By any measure, the Claire Lynch Band is high on the bluegrass world’s A-List, with musicians whose accolades include International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year and two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album (Claire); six IBMA Bass Player of the Year awards (Missy Raines); two IBMA Guitar Player of the Year awards (Jim Hurst). Claire’s collaboration with Missy Raines and Jim Hurst dates back to the days of the Front Porch String Band, resulting in a seasoned sound that is simultaneously unpretentious and richly textured. It’s a down-home, front porch sensibility—until you realize that it’s a rare front porch, indeed, that has ever hosted musicians of this caliber. Jim Hurst throws out impossible leads effortlessly, and the band is grounded by Missy Raines’ unerring instinct for the right groove and her lithe, boundary-stretching bass lines. The band’s newest member, Toronto native Jason Thomas, brings monster chops on fiddle and mandolin, supported by remarkable musical versatility and imagination that have made him instantly at home in one of the greatest bluegrass bands currently on the scene. Dolly Parton credits Claire with “one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business today.”

Claire’s harmonies have graced the recordings of many stellar musicians, from Ralph Stanley to Linda Ronstadt. Equally gifted as a songwriter, her songs have been recorded by the Seldom Scene, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, the Cherryholmes, the Whites and others. The Claire Lynch Band is now touring with a moving and impressive CD, “New Day,” released on March 28, 2006 by Rounder Records. Whether you are a longtime fan of Claire and the Front Porch String Band, or are new to the bluegrass sound, the Claire Lynch Band will jump to the top of your personal A-List, right from the first song.