Beverly Watkins plays a mean blues guitar, and that’s putting it mildly. Over six decades of performing, the 77-year-old has opened for Ray Charles, James Brown, BB King and other legendary [...]
Tim recently suggested that Aaron and myself go visit guitar player, Gail Caesar in Pittsville, VA. Gail is the niece of Music Maker artist Pete Witcher, an incredible guitar player in his own [...]
A Living Past by Willa Mae Buckner As a newbie here at Music Maker, one of my first assignments was to learn the Music Maker story by watching our documentary “Toot Blues”. As I was [...]
If James Taylor could play the guitar with the virtuosity and creativity of the celebrated inventor of bossa nova, Gilberto Gil, that amalgam would be exemplified in Cary Morin. “This Train” [...]
Women’s History Month is a perfect time to shine a light on the female musicians who have contributed so much to American musical culture, so often without recognition. Those that did make it to [...]
Music Maker is always looking for new ways to give music fans access to our vast catalog. Our catalog features recordings of the many legendary artists we have worked with over the years. Their [...]
Music Maker lost one of our dearest friends and supporters in February. Denise and I met John Creech when we first moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1988. We became fast friends, played a great deal [...]
Etta Baker’s style and grace on guitar is exemplified on Police Dog Blues. The melody bobs along like a leaf floating down the river and then progresses into the most delicate harmonics. [...]
Thank you so much for joining our weekly email newsletter. Every week you will receive updates on Music Maker Relief Foundation’s work to empower elderly musicians living in poverty. If you [...]
Ironing Board Sam’s latest record, Super Spirit, brimming with energy, twists and turns with every song. “I Wanna Be There” boosts the tension up a few notches with its accelerating rhythm and [...]
We are sharing this story at the request of Ironing Board Sam The past few months have been especially challenging for our partner artist, Ironing Board Sam. In October, just days before his [...]
As a new member of the Music Maker family, it’s been such a treat to experience all the music that has been coming my way these past few weeks. Listening to Sam Frazier Jr.’s recently released [...]
Recently Music Maker started working with Bobby McMillon who has been suffering from serious health issues and has not been able to work. Music Maker has helped him with some heating bills and [...]
Sam Frazier, Jr.’s album Take Me Back is finally in print after 20+ years hiding in the storage of a Birmingham music enthusiast. The album and its release herald a new period in Sam’s life. Two [...]
Alabama Slim and Big Ron Hunter both have years of performing under their belts. Like Music Maker’s forefather Guitar Gabriel once said, “I’ve played so much guitar, it’d make your ass hurt.” [...]
When Drink Small first released this wonderful, upbeat track, we definitely wrote a Diggin’ about it. I can’t find it, however, and I wanted to share this song again with you all [...]
“Amsterdam” is the perfect example of Lightnin’s amped up style. Lightnin’ is a NOLA man through and through. His vibrant and wild musical style not only reflects his personality, but also his [...]
Big Ron Hunter and Alabama Slim are returning to France this week. Music is My Home, the project they join in with French Jazz impresario Raphael Imbert, is celebrating its release in Europe with [...]
Music News | February 16th, 2016 | Brenda Hillegas photo by Tim Duffy Robert Finley plays on the streets in Louisiana where people take photos and give him tips. His music can be best described [...]
In 1999 I was sent a newspaper clipping from Texas about a music writer’s chance meeting with Texas bluesman Clyde Langford. Clyde lived in Midway, TX, a small town between Dallas and [...]
Adolphus Bell’s hero was Martin Luther King Jr.; during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham, Adolphus and his young friends put their lives on the line for Freedom. When Adolphus [...]
I met Rufus McKenzie in Georgia, in a tiny town called Perry, just outside of Macon. This is one of the most magical musical spots in America; folks like James Brown, Otis Redding, Emmit [...]
In celebration of Black History Month, I’ve been listening to the Music Maker catalog nonstop, going through tons of incredible material. Today I stumbled upon Ben Payton; what a [...]
Our country was colonized by the nations of West Africa under brutal, horrible conditions. Over 12.5 million slaves were brought to America, and it is they who built the huge financial base of [...]
Our Top Discoveries At globalFEST 2016 By Piotr Orlov & Bob Boilen | January 26, 201611:18 AM ET On Sunday, Jan. 17, globalFEST, one of America’s premiere showcases of musical talent [...]
Globalfest Showcases the Sounds and Traditions of World Music by Jon Pareles | JAN. 18, 2016 Roots were tangled, elastic and portable at this year’s Globalfest, the annual showcase for world [...]
While rehearsing in NYC for globalFEST Robert Lee Coleman showed us what is was like to work for James Brown. Having toured with Brown for many years Coleman has adopted some of the same ideas of [...]
Lil’ Joe is as cool as they come. Anyone who has seen him perform knows that he is the essence of smooth. “Mr. Magic” exemplifies his versatility and total command of the trombone. Joe’s career [...]
Backstage at the studio in Webster Hall, the oldest nightclub in America, the members of the Music Maker Blues Revue huddled together in anticipation of their GlobalFest 2016 performance. [...]
Last week, more than a couple of my friends started posting pictures of delicious looking King Cakes to their Facebook feeds, we reminded me that it will be Mardi Gras in less than a month! [...]
In 2011, Precious Bryant and I were steady penpals. I was working to get a new mobile home for her to replace the damaged and worn one she and her son Tony had been living in for many years. The [...]
Subscribe to our mailing list! * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name
- 12
