Spencer & Rains: Art & Music

Tricia Spencer  is a Kansas fiddler who grew up learning the tradition of old time music from her grandparents. She has studied with some of the great masters and is highly sought after as a performer, dance fiddler and instructor. Howard Rains is a native Texas artist and a fourth-generation fiddler from a musical and artistic family whose two obsessions are painting and playing the archaic style of fiddling of his home state. Howard plays rare, old tunes learned from friends, family, mentors, and old recordings. As much known for his painting as his fiddling, Howard has painted many of the great old time musicians, both living and gone.

Together, Spencer & Rains have performed and taught nationally and internationally, preserving and building upon the traditions of their region. The husband and wife, multi-instrumental duo are known for their twin-fiddle harmony, which is a product of the influence of Midwestern Scandinavian fiddlers Tricia heard as a child.  At the same time, Howard’s distinct repertoire reintroduces listeners to the pre-contest styles of Texas fiddling. Their vocals reflect that same sense of harmony, which they pull from all manner of American folk music. Spencer & Rains are steeped in tradition and are dedicated to the preservation, performance and teaching of old time music.