Ninth Wonder of the World of Music by Ironing Board Sam Ask Ironing Board Sam about how this rare demo was recorded back in 70s and he will explain to you that he hypnotized his bandmates to achieve the otherworldly rhythms and tempos that take place on this record. Bye Bye Blackbird exemplifies the psychedelic […]

Hallelujah Boogaloo by Drink Small The deep baritone of longtime Music Maker Partner Artist Drink Small (that’s his legal name, no lie!) embodies the blues. Mr. Small was born in Bishopville, SC in 1933 and now calls Greenville home. His storytelling style of acoustic Piedmont blues provides Mr. Small with a platform for humor. Also […]

Since 2009 Music Maker has been partnered with Lakota John through our Next Generation program. This program was founded on the belief that our rich musical traditions must be embraced by younger folks in order to live on. Lakota John has grabbed that torch and ran about as far as one could go with it. […]

  Here’s another youtube adventure for you. This selection features a blend of Music Maker partner artists including John Dee Holeman, Algia Mae Hinton, Etta Baker, Guitar Gabriel and Ironing Board Sam,  and advisory board members Taj Mahal and Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Next Generation artists Martha Spencer, Kelley Breiding, Faith & Harmony, Lightnin’ Wells […]

Amazing Grace by Cora Fluker Cora Fluker was born in Livingston, Alabama, around 1920. When Denise and I visited her in 1997 it was a deeply moving experience. She told us of a childhood growing up sharecropping with her family. The conditions were so hard that she tried to run away at the age of […]