Jayd Raines Archives - Bluegrass Today

Welcome Hadley Raines

Here’s a late bluegrass birth announcement from earlier this summer.

Hadley Gayle Raines was born on August 22 to Jayd and Selena Raines. We had posted back in the Spring about Jayd leaving Marty Raybon’s band and taking a job as a park naturalist when they found out Miss Hadley was on the way.

This had been Jayd’s second stint with Marty. He had worked previously with Don Rigsby and Ralph Stanley II.

He tells us that Hadley arrived 3 weeks early, but still weighed in at 9 lbs. 3 oz. We are assured that her parents are spoiling her rotten.

Raines says that he is still playing some music when he can, and doing some shows at a venue near his home in Pikeville, KY with Robert Hale, Daniel Grindstaff and Zach Rambo. But he was firm in his conviction that he wouldn’t miss watching his daughter grow up for anything.

Happy news from Jayd Raines

When we reported last week that Randy Barnes was taking over on bass with Marty Raybon, we wondered what had become of Jayd Raines, who had just joined the band earlier this year.

We caught up with him over the weekend, and discovered that he and his wife, Selena, have big news to share.

“I made the decision that I would not be able to maintain travel on the road back in April.

With my recent return to Marty’s band in January, my wife and I found out that we would soon be first time parents. We have a baby girl on the way who is due later this summer.

I accepted a job as a park naturalist (my previous career of five years before taking time to tour on the road) at a State Park near my home.

Marty has been extremely understanding in my decision to leave the road. He’s my favorite singer alive, and I wish him and the rest of the band a great and busy touring schedule.

Marty has been and will continue to be one of my closest friends, and I wish Full Circle the best. They are the best bunch of guys I have ever had the privilege of running the roads and playing with.”

Congratulations to the expanding Raines family!

Jayd Raines to Marty Raybon

Talented multi-instrumentalist Jayd Raines will be starting the new year back with Marty Raybon & Full Circle.

Jayd worked almost 2 full years with Marty between 2007-2009, playing bass and singing harmony vocals. I caught them at IBMA during his stead, and it was a strong edition of the band.

The 2013 lineup includes Raines on bass, Zach Rambo on mandolin, Chris Wade on banjo, and Tim Raybon on guitar, with Marty also on guitar and lead vocals. Daniel Grindstaff has been filling in on banjo when Wade has to stay home to complete his cancer treatments.

Jayd shared a few words about what he’s been doing since 2009.

“I left Marty due to a move during my wife’s deployment to Hattiesburg MS, and spent some time off the road. I got back out first with Don Rigsby and Midnight Call, followed by spending a season on the road picking the banjo for Ralph II. I am very happy to be back out playing bass and vocals for Marty again. He is without a doubt one of my favorite vocalists, and it is always a treat to sing with him.

My first show back will be January 12th at Meadowgreen Park Music Hall in Clay City, KY, only 10 miles from my home town. What a show to kick my time on the road back off!”

Keep up with Marty’s coming and goings on his official web site.

Jayd Raines to Ralph Stanley II

We heard earlier today from multi-instrumentalist Jayd Raines with word about his new gig. He will be the banjo player with Ralph Stanley II, where he will also play some guitar and provide harmony vocals.

Jayd has been playing bass with Don Rigsby since last summer, and before that with Marty Raybon, and filling in with a number of other touring acts as needed.

“Being a huge fan of the music that both Ralph II and his Dad have given us over the years, I am very excited for this opportunity to work for II, playing the instrument that I first learned to play growing up. This is my first full time gig playing the banjo!

Don Rigsby has been wonderful to work for, and goes in the books as being one of my favorite bluegrass vocalists. I am very grateful for everything that Don has done to help me further my career.

I will be playing my first show officially with Ralph II this coming weekend at the Carter Fold in Hiltons Virginia.”

Look for II near you online.

Jayd Raines to Don Rigsby

Jayd Raines is the new bass player with Don Rigsby and Midnight Call, where he will also share in the harmony vocal duties. He joins Rigsby on mandolin and lead vocals, Clyde Marshall on guitar, Lloyd Herring on banjo and Matt Hooper on fiddle.

Raines had been working with The Bartley Brothers before making the switch, and did nearly three years with Marty Raybon before that. He is stoked to be working with Midnight Call.

“Don has a busy rest of the year, and will also be having a busy schedule next year. I am very excited about this new endeavor and look forward to all of the shows.”

You can follow the band’s schedule online at www.donrigsby.com.