Berklee College of Music’s Country Blues Program will travel to Durham, N.C. from March 20^th-23^rd to learn about the history of the Piedmont Blues tradition!

The group includes students from across the world that have found an interest in the rural pre-war blues styles of the American South. They will be accompanied by Gary Davis scholar Woody Mann and the award-winning blues duo of Paul Rishell & Annie Raines. Mann and Rishell have been country blues artists-in-residence at Berklee for the past 3 years. The Country Blues Program is a part of the American Roots Music Program which specializes in a range of American roots styles, from blues and gospel to polka and Tex-Mex, educating students about these seminal and often overlooked forms of American popular music.

Music Maker Relief Foundation will be sponsoring the trip, showing the Berklee students around the south. They will travel to see blues artists in the area, like Boo Hanks, Captain Luke and Algia Mae Hinton. Students will participate in immersive workshops in the artist’s homes for a unique learning experience.

The trip will include other immersive experiences, like attending Big Ron Hunter’s church in Winston Salem and a stop at the Southern Folklife collection at UNC Chapel Hill. They will also have a group discussion with Tim Duffy, founder of Music Maker Relief Foundation. These experiences will show insight into the culture and history of the small towns of the Piedmont, while creating lasting connections to what Berklee has taught them about the blues.

“Connecting young musicians with legends like John Dee Holeman and Boo Hanks is at the core of our mission. We are truly thrilled to be working together with Berklee to engage the next generation of Country Blues musicians,” said Aaron Greenhood, artist services coordinator at Music Maker.

The students, along with Paul Rishell, Annie Raines and Woody Mann, will perform at the Mystery Brewing Company Public House on Friday March 21^st, along with special guest John Dee Holeman. The event starts at 9PM and is free to the public.

Trip Dates:

3/20/2014 – Arrive in Hillsborough, NC

3/21/2014 – Mystery Brewing Company Public House Performance, 9PM

3/22/2014 – Travel to Winston Salem, NC

3/23/2014 – Depart Hillsborough, NC for Boston, MA