Since its founding in 1997 by George Bright and Bruce Kaplan, Flying Fingers Productions has presented some of the world's finest acoustic musicians in the intimate, listener-friendly Barking Legs Theater. See our archives for a list of at least some of the performers we've brought to Chattanooga!

We're now selling advance tickets to FFP events online! No more waits for calls or emails to be returned. We will not mail tickets, you will be placed on will-call. And remember, tickets are almost always available at the door, though we can only accept cash and personal check at the door.

a  WHOZAT?  booking and music production by Cleveland Carlson, with
Flying Fingers Productions

Jon Shain grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a Merrimack River mill-town that had already seen its better days by the time he was a child in the 1970s. His family’s business was a small textile dyeing company, and he worked in the factory during the summers throughout his teens. At the same time, Shain began to discover his love of American roots music and songwriting, specifically drawn to the narratives about regular people and themes of social justice.

Shain headed south to North Carolina in 1986, to study American History at Duke University and to continue his musical journey, as well. In addition to studying with jazz professor Paul Jeffrey, he also had the good fortune to learn the piedmont blues tradition firsthand by playing in Big Boy Henry‘s backing band. It was at this time that Shain also got to meet and play with John Dee Holeman and a number of the great older NC blues players. Shain's classes in school were heavily concentrated in southern history, English, and world religions. That mixture of the academic environment and the real-world blues music is what has most informed his musical direction.

Jon Shain is the rare folkie who truly brings the "chops" to his songs along with the lyrics. The last few years Shain has been playing esteemed listening rooms such as Passim in Cambridge, MA, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY, and Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, PA in addition to doing some of the highest profile shows of his career – opening sold out theatre shows for John Hiatt, Keb’ Mo’, Little Feat, and in 2003 his title track of his then recent album
"No Tag, No Taillight" was featured on National Public Radio's syndicated program CAR TALK.

Jon was a finalist at the 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. This is his first visit to Chattanooga as a solo artist.

Jon Shain Website

Flying Fingers Productions
presents

Having Missy Raines, one of the most honored bassists in bluegrass, on the heels of John Cowan is absolutely extraordinary. It has been several years since we've gotten Missy into Barking Legs, and this will be her first visit with a full band. Expect fireworks from Missy and her young cohorts!

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 Eddie 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.

Missy's Website