With our 25th anniversary upon us, we reflect on some of the musicians that have been with us since the beginning. Essie Mae Brooks has been a Music Maker partner artist since 1995. Her original, [...]
As our partner artists get older and they are unable to perform as much, if at all, due to aging related issues, they become susceptible to isolation. Research links isolation to a variety of [...]
Our newest partner artist, Mary Lane, is no stranger to struggle. Born in 1936, in Clarendon, Arkansas, she grew up picking cotton until moving to Chicago where she became a staple on the [...]
We recently sat down with donor and volunteer Carey Barnes to ask her about her Music Maker experience and why our mission resonates with her. Carey is part of the generous team of donors who [...]
If you could credit a single place for the creation of popular American music it would most certainly be the Church. Since our founding, Music Maker has partnered with some phenomenal gospel [...]
It doesn’t always take a ripping electric guitar solo and a full band to get your body moving or have an emotional impact. Since it’s founding, Music Maker has specialized in [...]
We are pulling out all the stops with Duke Performances December 4th – 8th to celebrate 25 years of helping musicians make it. From zydeco to gospel, experimental to deep blues, Music Maker [...]
With our 25th Anniversary upon us we want to thank some of the partners that have made our work possible. Over the past couple years Big Legal Mess Records has put out a number of recordings [...]
Last Pair of Shoes by John Dee Holeman“Don’t let your doggone head go bald!” John Dee Holeman digs deep on this tune with a downright raunchy harmonica accompaniment from Tad [...]
25 years ago, Music Maker was founded on the idea of giving credit, appreciation, and financial support to those that shaped and continue to shape American culture through their music. We book [...]
“The blues is the truth. It’s an everyday reminder of your life, a different type of Gospel,” says Music Maker discovery artist Charles Jacobs. For 25 years, and usually 6 nights a week, Charles [...]
Blue Muse by Taj MahalIt’s hard to imagine where Music Maker would be without the help of dedicated advisory board member and musical genius Taj Mahal. For twenty years Taj has served as a [...]
Blue Muse by Dave McGrewThe life of a fruit tramp is tough. Dave McGrew traveled with the harvests in the Great Northwest since he was young. D.O.C. Man speaks to the frustration of getting [...]
With a sound shaped by a life lived in the rural South working in tobacco fields and with heavy machinery, John Dee Holeman proves he’s still got it on his new release – Last Pair of [...]
Blue Muse by Theotis TaylorThere is a magical quality to the music of Theotis Taylor. This South Georgia natives piano playing is completely unique and was immediately recognized by Bruce Watson [...]
Music Maker next generation artist Lakota John will be play at the Coolidge Auditorium on Wednesday, August 7th at 12pm and at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage at 6pm as part of the [...]
Blue Muse by Willie FarmerOur longtime partner and dear friend Bruce Watson produced this album for new Music Maker partner artist Willie Farmer. Hailing from Duck Hill, Mississippi, Willie plays [...]
Sadly, Beverly “Guitar” Watkins passed away the morning of October 1st, 2019 due to complications from a stroke. Though she has captured the rapt attention of audiences across the [...]
Blue Muse by Robert Finley This is the song that started it all for Robert Finley and it remains his ethos. Robert has been wowing national audiences and celebrities on America’s Got [...]
Listen to Music Maker founder and photographer Timothy Duffy along with partner artists Guitar Lightnin’ Lee and Alabama Slim and longtime supporter Taj Mahal on Weekend Edition below. Read [...]
Learn more about Rufus McKenzie here – http://archive.musicmaker.orgartists/rufus-mckenzie/
Blue Muse by Cary MorinGet up and dance! That’s what Cary Morin wants you to do. There are few songs in this world that can be heard and immediately pick you up if you are feeling down and [...]
The individual situations of artists can be infinitely complex when it comes to addressing their needs. Music Maker Artist Support Specialist Christelle Ndong, MSW is constantly working to [...]
Blue Muse by Dom Flemons For the past decade Dom Flemons has educated millions through his performances of American Roots music and has become one of the great modern voices in the folk scene. [...]
Double Bang: Hot Bang! by Ironing Board SamIroning Board Sam will make another return to Jazz Fest at 2:50pm on Sunday, May 5 to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. His zany performance style has [...]
We are thrilled to announce the public art component to our exhibit, Timothy Duffy: Blue Muse at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Large scale portraits of Music Maker partner artists Pat [...]
Blue Muse by Drink SmallDrink Small from Columbia, South Carolina is known as the Blues Doctor. He is legendary in the Carolina Fraternity House circuit for his extremely bawdy blues. In this [...]
Music Maker is thrilled to be headed to back to Telluride Blues & Brews Festival this September. Renowned as one of the most scenic and intimate music festivals in the country, Telluride [...]
Dr. Burt from Birmingham, AL was a dear friend and a great bluesman that only played house parties in and around his home. He was a Buddha like kind of man, his spirit soared, you felt like [...]
Blue Muse by Theotis Taylor Theotis Taylor is from Fitzgerald, Georgia and made his living harvesting turpentine. His singing and piano playing are utterly stunning. He is among the greatest [...]
Blue Muse by Eddie Tigner Eddie Tigner began his career as a young comedian in the famous Peacock Lounge in Atlanta, GA, a vestige of the fading Vaudeville circuit. Drafted into the Army and [...]
Blue Muse by Robert Finley Robert Finley has been one of our greatest success stories, and the moment Music Maker founder Tim Duffy heard Robert playing Age Don’t Mean a Thing on the street [...]
Willie Farmer is living proof that Mississippi continues to produce deep blues. The 62-year-old guitarist is neither a soul modernist nor revivalist, but simply a small town auto mechanic who’s [...]
My Name Is Precious by Precious BryantPrecious Bryant takes to her acoustic guitar for her rendition of this classic love song. Typically performed as a sultry jazz number made famous by Peggy [...]
We love our supporters and for Valentine’s Day this year we’d like to give you a special treat – a free download of the Martha Spencer & Kelley Breiding’s [...]
Blue Muse by Dave McGrew McGrew’s lyrics speak of fragmentation and isolation. The self is in pieces and the part with a mouth is lonely. To read the song sheets is sad. To listen to the songs, [...]
Thanks so much to everyone that participated in this wonderful event!
The Mighty Flood by Alabama Slim & Little Freddie KingThis is easily one of the deepest tracks in the Music Maker catalog. Close your eyes and Alabama Slim‘s low raspy voice, silky [...]
The Beginning Of The Music Maker Story by Guitar Gabriel As Music Maker heads into it’s 25th Anniversary this year it seems like a good time to reflect on our founding artist, Guitar [...]
Things haven’t been easy for Ironing Board Sam over the past couple of years. After partnering with Music Maker, Sam’s career got a phenomenal rebirth and he started playing shows all [...]
Labor of Love by Taj MahalThere must be thousands of versions of this grisly narrative. One could even argue that Stagger Lee is one of the most widely adopted blues songs in mainstream music. [...]
Music Maker is thrilled to announce that the Como Mamas will be playing the Ryman Auditorium with St. Paul & the Broken Bones on February 7th, 2019. The group represents the deep gospel roots [...]
