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Research Expiditions, Appalachia, Scotland, Shetlands & England
Rhines interest in folk music and her love of fiddle tunes led her to research the origins of fiddle music. The search took her to the heart of American music in its Appalachian ballads and western songs of the plains. Further research took her from the Highlands of Appalachia in the Eastern U.S. to The Shetland Highlands of Scotland. Rhines found that many of the songs from the American West were brought across the Mississippi by Irish and Scottish immigrants who had at first settled in the Appalachian Mountains, then moved West after the Civil War.
Rhines lived in Cambridge, England for two years where she researched Fiddle tunes at libraries and archives, such as the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland. “I also had the privilege of visiting with Tom Anderson on the Shetland Isiands for several weeks where I joined the Shetland Fiddle Society every Wednesday night at the local church,” Rhines says. “I remember the BBC from Germany taping the night I happened to attend. I have fond memories of late night jamming parties with intense and heated discussions about proper bowings to use for the various styles of Scottish fiddle tunes. Tom brought me to meet Aly Bain from The Boys of the Lough one night, and what a time it was as he played a hoedown and I played a Scottish fiddle tune. I kept a diary of these times, most colorful they were indeed”
Concert Performances
As guest soloist of the Western Wind in concerts of renaissance motets and madrigals in 1977 & 1978, made became the first solo fiddler to perform on the stage of Alica Tully Hall in Lincoln Center in New York. As the New Hampshire Ledger in the late 70’s reported: “in her quiet way, Made Rhines is an iconoclast, breaking the barrier between folk and classical music.
"I also performed at numerous folk festivals where I first played with Doc Watson, Vassar Clements, and ultimately performed a series of tours with guitarist Tony Rice around the country as a duo." Rhines performed a variety of music in those years, including having her own contemporary jazz quartet, and working as a duo and recording an album together with bassist, Miroslav Vitous, formerly with Weather Report.
Marie with Miroslav Vitousand Robert J. Lurtsema.
 Creator, Producer: National Public Radio Show 'The Folk Heritage" on WGBH-FM
Radio in Boston
At National Public Radio studios WGBH-FM in Boston.
She also was the original creator, producer and founder of the successful radio show "The Folk Heritage" she put together to publicize folk music over the air waves on WGBH-FM National Public Radio in Boston. It is now in its 20th successful consecutive year on the air in Boston.
Recordings: Albums & CD's
Rhines has recorded several albums, among them a solo fiddle album entitled "The Reconciliation." It is named after one of her favorite Scottish fiddle tunes and was recorded in the late 70's under the Philo Record label in the Fretless division. Her second album, "Tartans and Sagebrush," was recorded originally for Biscuit City Records out of Denver, Colo., around 1978 and 1979. "I picked the company because I fell in love with the name -- who wouldn't"… she says. " It was later re-issued as the premier release for Ladyslipper Records out of Durham, N.C. The album includes a variety of styles, Scottish fiddle arrangements, a vocal, a John Coltrane piece, a ragtime tune, etc. "I am re-issuing both these CD's at this time.
They will have a 2003 re-issue date on them," Rhines adds. A new double CD "It Might As Well Be The Moon" has just been issued by Mountain Retreat Records, in Escanaba, Michigan which includes Marie in a live duet performance with Mickey Newbury at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, plus their premiere album originally recorded in Nashville.
Symphonic Compositions
 Rhines has also written symphonic pieces, including her "American Violin Concerto for Solo Violin and Symphony Orchestra". It was first performed in the late 1970's with the Johnstown, PA Symphony, and most recently as soloist-composer with the San Diego Symphony. She was elected Composer in Residence for the Chattanooga Symphony in 1986 to produce a Homecoming symphony for the 200th anniversary of Tennessee. Entitled "American Homecoming Oratorio for Symphony Orchestra & Opera Chorus," it was sung by the Chattanooga Opera Chorus plus 5 soloists and gospel quartet. Rhines continues to fuse classical and folk music, giving modern-day music fans a new sound with the harmonious blend of American musical forms.
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