Born in Vassar, Michigan, Haines eventually settled in Canada after spending time in Europe, Asia, and the United States; he had a long stint as a French teacher at Fenelon Falls Secondary School, in Ontario, Canada.
Haines's best-known work is Escalator over the Hill, a collaboration with Carla Bley.
Haines and his wife Jo Hayward[2] had three children: Emily, Avery and Tim.
Tim Haines is owner of Bluestreak Records in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Haines produced a number of audio cassette "mystery tapes", mostly drawn from his personal recording collection.