CassiRaye

Opening for Keyth Jones at the Opera House in Shepherdstown, WV this spring was nothing short of magical. Following it up with a back-to-back Easter weekend at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas reminded me just how deeply I love these small mountain towns in Best Virginia. There’s a charm and soul in both Shepherdstown and Thomas that always feels like coming home.

During this visit, I realized just how much I miss the area. I’ll be turning 34 this year, and with each season, I feel a stronger desire to settle down, find land, and create a lasting home. I’m also happy to share that I’m recently engaged and now six months into life on wheels. While leaving this beautiful coastal region of North Carolina will be bittersweet, I’m looking forward to the day I cross back into the mountains of West Virginia.

As I near the completion of my mortuary studies, I’m excited to step into the field with a focus on conservation and natural burial practices. My hope is to one day offer meaningful, earth-honoring services to the community I call home.

Musically, this year is shaping up to be full of special moments. I’m thrilled to perform at festivals like Yoga Jam and Culturefest, where music, healing, and creativity come together in powerful ways. If you’re looking to catch a show, I have several upcoming performances at the DoubleTree by Hilton in New Bern, NC, as well as at The Wheelhouse Taproom in Atlantic Beach, NC. 

Thank you for following my journey. I can’t wait to see where the road leads next and I hope to see you out there along the way.

With gratitude,
CassiRaye

As winter settles in and the days remain short and chilly, I've found myself in a deep state of hibernation—reflecting, recharging, and dreaming about what the year ahead will bring. The start of 2025 has been busier than I had hoped for, but in a way, that feels fitting for a new beginning.

Over the last few months, I've moved twice—yes, twice!—and now, I’m adjusting to life on wheels as I dive into the world of RV living. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time, and now that it’s a reality, it’s such an exciting adventure. Though it’s been a little hectic figuring out the ins and outs of RV life, it’s also been freeing, and I can’t wait for summer when I can hit the road and travel even more. I’m already starting to think about possibly planning a tour, and the thought of that is just exhilarating!

Despite the busyness of the start of the year, I can feel the light slowly returning, and every day feels like a step closer to spring. As the weather warms up, so will my schedule with music performances picking back up. For now, I’m using these quieter months to focus on some behind-the-scenes work, like creating a new merch collection and curating my set list for upcoming shows. One of the biggest highlights on my calendar is a special show in Shepherdstown, WV, on April 11, 2025, where I’ll be joining my friend Keyth Jones to celebrate the release of his new album Love Yourself at the Opera House.

It feels so surreal to be coming back to Shepherdstown, a place I called home before moving to Eastern North Carolina in 2020. This will be my first show there in years, and I can’t wait to reunite with Keyth for what promises to be a magical night of music. I’m also excited to see some familiar faces I haven't had the chance to catch up with in a while and, of course, to step back into the cozy embrace of the Opera House. And no visit to Shepherdstown is complete without a stop at Lost Dog Coffee Fine Arts Drink Emporium, where I plan to enjoy as many cups of green tea and head tea as I can handle while I’m in town!

The weekend after the album release party, I’m looking forward to returning to one of my favorite places to play: Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV. It's such a special town, and the energy at Purple Fiddle is always incredible. I can’t wait to perform there again and soak in the beauty of the mountains.

As I look ahead to 2025, I’m feeling hopeful and excited about all the adventures, performances, and connections to come. I hope that all of you are taking care of yourselves during this time, too. Winter can be a tough season for many of us, but I believe it’s a time for slowing down and reconnecting with what matters most. For me, that’s working on some new original songs with my beloved cat, Pinky Smudge, and adjusting to life on the road with my partner.

I’m sending warm wishes your way as we make our way through the winter months, and I can’t wait to see you all this spring! Until then, I’ll be enjoying my hermit mode and working on bringing fresh new music your way. Stay cozy and see you soon!