Hi, I’m Missy Raines and I want to talk to you about joining my Kickstarter campaign for my upcoming Missy Raines and The New Hip CD, "New Frontier."

     I've been playing music since I was a kid, and I've had the amazing experience of having you all right there with me, rooting for me, encouraging me to see how far it could go.  Lately, I've found myself back at the well and dipping in.  I have spent some time woodshedding, searching, and digging.  I've been digging in my garden, digging in my music and digging in my soul, trying to define that indescribable "thing" that drives us all to do what we do.

     For me the “thing” is music, and as many of you may know my life until the last few years revolved mostly around the acoustic bass- but along this fantastic journey I realized that I could stretch myself even further- explore boundaries that I didn’t even know existed until recently.

      That’s one of the reasons that I struck out on my own and started my band, The New Hip.  It seems that the more exploring I do, the more of my own boundaries that I push, the more I know without a doubt that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.  Not just playing music, but reaching and broadening my scope, stretching my comfort zone, and allowing myself to create sounds that I love without thought (or worry) to where it all might fit in this world. 

     Which brings me to this new project I want to record with my wonderful band!  I've put together a collection of tunes that explore some of the mysteries, the joy, the sadness, the fear, the expectations that weave their way through our lives, sometimes propelling us, sometimes thwarting us, but always keeping us true to ourselves.

     There are songs here you have requested and several new ones you won't have heard.  There's a few from some of my favorite songwriters and they all share a common theme- they speak to what it feels like to be going down this road- in all of the good ways, and in all of the gut wrenching ways.  Each song feeds the next and propels the story a little bit more.

     Here is a video of one of my favorite tunes to get the ball rolling.  Written by Ed Snodderly, it’s a sample of what’s up our sleeve!

     What would make this even more special would be for you to join me on this journey- be a part of the process, get involved!

        Here’s how you can get involved- I have come up with some fun ways to say both “Thank You” and Share with you things that are unique to this recording. Some of the nifty rewards include:

*Fun (and Signed) pictures of me and my cats you won't see anywhere else.  

*Your name in print in the CD graphics.

*One-of-a-kind New Hip Commemorative posters, koozies, eco-friendly tote bags & t-shirts.

*How about some of my VERY special homemade holiday Fudge made just for you?  

*Would you like to be listed as Executive Producer? 

*Would you like to go bowling with the band?

*How about a New Hip concert at your house?

*How about a private Bass Workshop with me?

And that's not all, check out the list to see ALL of the Rewards.  

     It’s all possible and together we can make it happen.  And let me take a moment to say, THANK YOU for stepping up to take this journey with me!

     You may be asking yourself "just how much does it cost to make a CD these days?"  Well, here are some answers.  To do this properly, we budget money to pay for the recording.  Here is a breakdown of what it will take: 

 Musicians- $5500

 Producer-  $1000

 Recording, Editing, Mixing- $4000

 Feed musicians- $300

 Kickstarter fees- $1200

 Total budget- $12,000

     Yes, this is expensive, I know!  But doing a recording properly means musicians and engineers get paid for the work they do.  It’s only fair.

     But to get back to the rewards, there’s a broad range of goodies depending on what level of participation you would like to do. 

     And believe me, EVERY level is appreciated!  This is a community effort and we couldn't do it without each of you.

      There is one catch- it’s all or nothing.  If we reach our goal, the money comes through.  If we don’t reach our goal, no money comes through.  No one’s credit card gets charged.  Like life, like this journey, commitment is everything.

      Looking for more ways to help?  Share this message, spread the word!  Talk it up!  Facebook, Twitter, email, every little bit helps….

     Are you seeing us for the first time?  Here's our EPK (Electronic Press Kit) to give you an idea of who we are and what we're about.

       So, are you ready?  I’m ready!  Let’s do this!   Thanks for your interest, and for reading all of this, and for being part of it. 

 Thank you!   Missy, Ethan, Jarrod, and Josh