Listen: Back in Business Grandma’s got groove, and she ain’t about to try and hide it. Ever since I started at Music Maker a year ago, images of Beverly “Guitar” Watkins [...]
Rhiannon Giddens, an MMRF Next Generation Artist, performed Sunday night at the “Another Day, Another Time” concert at Town Hall in NYC, among other artists such as Joan Baez, Mumford [...]
Listen: Crooked World Blues Lakota John and Kin (that’s Momma Tonya, Papa John and Sister Layla) live in Pembroke, NC. They are members of the Lumbee Indian tribe, the largest tribe East of the [...]
Listen: Late in the Evening Pernell King and Guitar Gabriel’s “Late in the Evening” is on my playlist this week. Pernell was Guitar Gabriel’s half-brother, who spent 27 years in prison. Guitar [...]
Listen: Slavery Time Blues I have been thinking a lot about slavery as of late. Growing up in Connecticut we learned about it, but it was very abstract to my experience. Many of our artists that [...]
We just want to say thank you to everyone who came out to the Music Maker Benefit, featuring the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Ironing Board Sam, on September 3rd. The sold-out evening was a huge [...]
Listen: Will the Circle Be Unbroken I love the Henderson Brothers’ album, Rugby, VA. Wayne and Max Henderson’s only recording together, it includes classic bluegrass, and as Tim puts it “is just [...]
Are you coming to the Music Maker Benefit on 9/3 featuring the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Ironing Board Sam? If so, browse the online catalog for the silent auction, and you can see/bid on the [...]
Listen: We Three Lately, Mr Q is all I listen to on my car rides between work and home and anyone who may speak to me on the phone during these rides will have to suffer a few phrases belted out [...]
Listen: The Girl I Left Behind Me As I made my first visit to Asheville, North Carolina, last week I couldn’t help but think about the musical traditions rooted in the mountains I headed towards. [...]
This past June Music Maker debuted a new project – our Music Maker Listener’s Circle. The idea behind the Listener’s Circle came from our French interns, Raphaël and Simon, who [...]
Listen: Cool and Rainy Day I love this tune by Cora Mae – it’s laid back, calm and very “you’ll be back.” Full disclosure – I chose this song because I’m feeling somewhat grateful for the [...]
We are so excited to see that Ironing Board Sam, Dom Flemons, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops have been honor by Living Blues for 2013! Ironing Board Sam was named “Most Outstanding [...]
Listen: Let’s Make Love On “Let’s Make Love” Larry Shores’ voice exemplifies a cowboy tenderness in all its mythic glory. It also tells a story that I believe every person listening can [...]
Listen: Sweet Home New Orleans I’ve never been to New Orleans. The closest I ever got was Shreveport, LA – but that was back when my concept of culture was limited to the Cartoon Network. I [...]
Junior Ray “Pete” Whitcher of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, passed away on July 15th, we were saddened to hear. Pete was a Music Maker artist for close to twelve years, a talented [...]
Listen: Nothin’ But Your Butt Ironing Board Sam’s first single off his new album is Nothin’ But Your Butt. Understandably, everyone wanted to write a Diggin’ on this one. [...]
Celebrate with us at Ironing Board Sam’s CD Release Party! Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, Saturday, July 20th, 9:30pm 5410 HWY 55 – Durham $8 Cover Ironing Board Sam is so thrilled [...]
Listen: Man of the Streets After Ironing Board Sam wrapped up the Music Maker Blues Revue last night in Hillsborough, NC, I hurried up to him to give him a hug before we parted ways for the [...]
Ironing Board Sam’s newest, most jam-packed album, Double Bang!, is officially released and available in our music shop. Sam is having an incredible year – he just returned from the [...]
Thanks to you, Music Maker received an $80,000 matching donation to close out our fiscal year. The donation, given by several generous Music Maker supporters, was made on the condition that Music [...]
Listen: Careless Love As a new intern at Music Makers, I have been introduced to so many great new artists and sounds. A graduate student in the school of social work at UNC Chapel Hill, I am [...]
Listen: Goog Golly Clyde Langford lives in Centerville, Texas, childhood home of blues legend Lightnin’ Hopkins. It was Lightnin’s brother that taught Clyde his first notes on the guitar. Clyde’s [...]
Get your tickets now! $25 for seated or standing, and $100 for special VIP tickets that include a meet & greet with the Drops! September 3rd, 7:30pm (Doors open 6:30pm) – The Hamilton, [...]
Listen: This Stuff Just Kills Me When I first started working with blues artists in the early 1990s, Jerry “Boogie” McCain was a legendary mythical figure who lived down in Alabama. I [...]
We cannot believe the outpouring of support from you all for the Kickstarter funding TENTH. It more than DOUBLED its original goal! Check out the video below for a special thank-you from Tom.
Listen: Zydeco Feeling This week’s Diggin’ introduces Major Handy’s track ”Zydeco Feeling.” The first time I saw Major play, I was about a foot away from him, wedged into a booth with my feet [...]
Founder Tim Duffy has been recording artists for twenty years – now he’s releasing exclusive, limited edition compilations to Listener’s Circle Members! Music Maker has an [...]
Still going! Come on out we’ve moved it indoors: 6/7 – Roots and Leaves Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen and Ben Payton are performing their Delta Blues – they will make you [...]
Listen: I Need Some Money Adolphus Bell’s birthday is this week, so I thought it would be a good time to really visit his Music Maker release “One Man Band” and spend some time [...]
My favorite part of this recipe is that it includes an ingredient called “Slap Your Mama.” This was so delicious that it was entirely gone and there were no leftovers to be shared in [...]
Listen: Vellevina I love this classic tune, almost more talking than singing, telling the story of, what else, a girl. It’s a simple tune, with Big Boy on the guitar and belting out lyrics. In [...]
The Librarian and The Banjo is a one-hour documentary about the life and legacy of a Milwaukee-born music librarian who proved that the banjo came from Africa with the slaves. Her work shattered [...]
Listen: Raisin’ Cain Robert Lee Coleman celebrated his 68th birthday yesterday. Having the opportunity to work with Coleman has been a privilege; after all, he is, in part, responsible for [...]
Kickstarter has launched! Support it now! A new film, TENTH, by current filmmaker and former MMRF intern Tom Ciaburri, shines new light on Ironing Board Sam’s decades-long career, and a [...]
Ironing Board Sam and the students of Orange Charter School in Hillsborough, NC, wowed parents, faculty, and other students with their performance of Blues and Rock & Roll yesterday! They [...]
Listen: Follow Your Heart’s Desire Photo of Pura Fé and Charly Lowry by Aaron Greenhood and Tim Duffy When I sent Taj Mahal the album that includes this track, he described Pura Fé as, “A [...]
There’s still time – give now and your support is doubled Have you heard? Generous supporters have offered to match any gift you make to Music Maker before June 30th – up to [...]
Rhiannon Giddens, a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an MMRF board member and a Next Generation artist, has partnered here with her sister, Lalenja, to release a unique, multidimensional [...]
Listen: Here Come the Girls In our past twenty years, there are many artists Music Maker has worked with; some needed more help than others. In the case of Ernie, photographed here with legendary [...]
Listen: John Henry I was listening to the local jazz station on my way into work this morning and Kenny Burrell’s “Chitlins con Carne” came on. Kenny Burrell is a jazz guitarist and composer [...]
Music Maker at Shakori in 2011 The Music Maker Blues Revue will perform at Shakori Hills Music Festival in Pittsboro, NC this weekend. If you’re at the festival, you can see Ironing Board [...]
Listen: What Can A Man Do But Sing the Blues “Here was the deep, common core of humanity singing of its suffering and stoicism,” read a Sydney Morning Herald article about Dr. Burt’s recent [...]
Read about how you can help artists through our $80,000 matching grant! At MMRF, some artists we partner with have never had a career in music, and have only played for their home communities. [...]
The Branchettes, the Pura Fé Trio and Little Freddie King will perform at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April/May! For The Branchettes, a gospel group from Johnston County, [...]
Listen: I Know I’ve Been Changed Listening to “I Know I’ve Been Changed” by The Branchettes brings to mind a rolling wave, beginning with gentle, slight movements until it rises in [...]
Give today! Calling all Music Maker supporters! Generous Music Maker members have combined forces to propose a matching grant. They will match your gift up to $80,000 if you give by June 30th! [...]
Listen: Out of Jail Algia Mae Hinton is best known as a skilled guitarist and buck dancer. She often would combine these two to create a show-stopping performance. Perhaps that’s why “Out of [...]
Several generous supporters are matching your donations this spring. Find out how to make your gift count towards this match! This March, Tim and our interns from France, Simon and Raphael, [...]
[nggallery id=9] Check out these photos from the Music Maker Blues Revue’s tour of Australia! Aaron is managing the tour and regularly sends us updates. The artists are having a great time [...]
Lakota John Locklear is a great example of how the Blues is alive and well among young artists. A Next Generation Artist, and a Blues prodigy at 15 years old, Lakota John’s appreciation for [...]
Music Maker Artists Ironing Board Sam, Major Handy, Pat Wilder, Ardie Dean, Dr. Burt, Albert White and Nashid Abdul-Khaaliq are embarking on a ten-day tour of Australia, culminating in a series [...]
Listen: Baby’s Gone, Soon Be Gone Myself Jack Owens strips it all away in this rendition of “Baby’s Gone, Soon Be Gone Myself.” His plaintive wailing evokes the feeling of a rural funeral lament [...]
After Sam visited the Orange County Charter School for the second time, we received a stack of thank-you notes and drawings done for him by the students! Sam was so moved, and we were too – [...]
Listen: Chapel Hill Boogie I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Chapel Hill, NC – ask any UNC graduate and they’ll say the same. For me it’s about more than just [...]
Listen: Don’t Take Your Love From Me Mr. Q’s Cocktail Boogie is an album we had a debate about in the office yesterday. Aaron claimed we didn’t have it, I said we did, but we didn’t have [...]
The Life and Times of Jerry “Boogie” McCain: The Real Thing by Grover Brown is a tribute to Boogie, who passed last year. Boogie asked Brown to write his life’s story, and the [...]
Listen: Wayfaring Stranger Brothers have long played together throughout bluegrass and country history—from Bill and Charlie Monroe to Ira and Charlie Louvin to Carter and Ralph Stanley. The [...]
Ironing Board Sam is sharing his talents with youth through an exciting program at the Orange County Charter School in Hillsborough, made possible by the Jazz Foundation’s Agnes Varis Jazz [...]
There is no wrong answer when Ironing Board Sam asks you “What kind of pie do you like?” If you ever go see him play, you inevitably will be asked to surrender your preference to public scrutiny. [...]
The Music Maker Signifier has launched! Music Maker’s new blog written by staff, friends, fans and musicians will bring you original, interesting content with a dash of signature [...]
Ironing Board Sam’s first visit to Atlanta in over a decade will be playing at the “Kings of the Keyboard” Gala event at Blind Willie’s on March 1st and 2nd. He’ll [...]
It’s not Valentines Day without Valentines! The tradition of witty one-liners, professions of love with candy or just plain good feeling is a great way to cheer up dreary February, and [...]
Listen: Put On Your Red Dress Captain Luke’s recording of this much-loved tune is particularly appropriate given the time of year. (Need a last-minute Valentine for your sweetie? Check out [...]
The Carolina Chocolate Drops were nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album at this year’s Grammys, and while they didn’t come away from the day with their 2nd award, we’re [...]
Orange County, North Carolina has been home to some of our nations most influential blues musicians. Libba Cotton became a darling of the folk revival and her finger style guitar playing remains [...]
Music Maker’s Founder, Tim Duffy, will give a talk on the Roots of Music Maker and our 20-year history working with traditional musicians here in North Carolina and throughout the South. [...]
Listen: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again When Elder Anderson Johnson shouts “If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again/How happy I would be” there is no doubt the raw truth of those words. I’m [...]
George Higgs (b.1930-d.2013) has been on our minds here at Music Maker this week. The multi-talented bluesman passed away on January 29th, and he leaves a warm legacy behind. Funeral arrangements [...]
We’re excited to announce a partnership with an undergraduate class offering at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies this spring. DOCST 460S: “Multimedia Documentary” is a [...]
Listen: Reuben George Higgs (b.1930-d.2013) has been on our minds here at Music Maker this week. The multi-talented bluesman passed away on January 29th, and he leaves a warm legacy behind. One [...]
MMRF is perhaps as known for its talented blues musicians as it is for its legendary photographs capturing the artists. The walls of the MMRF office in Hillsborough are lined with black and white [...]
Bluesfest Byron Bay is bringing the Music Maker Relief Foundation Blues Revue to Australia and the Northcote Social Club will host the players on March 27! Bluesfest Byron Bay is one of the [...]
Music Maker artist Chicago Bob Nelson passed away on January 16, 2013 at the age of 69. Music Maker staff, as well as all of his fans, are very saddened by the news of the passing of such an [...]
Listen: Fever The late Precious Bryant (b.1942-d.2013) didn’t release an album until 2002, despite first being recorded by folklorist George Mitchell almost four decades earlier. Precious, who [...]
What do 42 Ukuleles, 21 Glockenschpiels, a middle school jazz band and one ironing board have in common? They will be jamming with blues legend Ironing Board Sam throughout the spring term under [...]
Tim, the news of the passing of our dear lady of sweet song and voice underscores the enduring significance of “The Music Maker Foundation.” That these amazing people and artists were [...]
Music Maker Partner Artist Precious Bryant, (b. January 4, 1942), of Waverly Hall, Georgia, passed away over the weekend, on January 12th, 2013. We at Music Maker, along with the Music Maker [...]
Tim is down with the flu this week, and while on the phone with him he asked me if I was feeling okay. I told him we’d wiped down the office with Lysol after he went home, so I’m [...]
Listen: Glory Glory I’d like to believe that Bishop Dready and Sister Marie Manning’s rendition of “Glory, Glory” gives a taste of what salvation must feel like. Bishop Dready and Sister Marie’s [...]
Happy Birthday, Elvis! To celebrate, we have a recipe that Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen sent us a couple months ago for an Elvis-inspired Sandwich. Let us know if you try it [...]
Listen: How Lucky Can One Man Be “How Lucky Can One Man Be” appears on Big Ron’s Music Maker release The Great Unknown. This week’s dig is an earlier recording. It’s stripped down, Big Ron [...]
In 2012 Music Maker accomplished so much with your support. Boo Hanks went on tour with Dom Flemons to promote their collaborative album that crossed generational lines. Ironing Board Sam was [...]
I got in involved with the Music Maker Relief Foundation back in 2005 after seeing a show in Washington, DC. I was so intrigued by the artists, their music and their stories that I had to make [...]
Our capacity to give grows through giving, and my appreciation for Music Maker continues to grow the more I’m involved in supporting the mission. It’s truly a mission for all of us. [...]
Listen: Santa Claus is Coming to Town Ironing Board Sam entertained the crowd at our annual Musical Gathering in November with some holiday spirit – in the form of his own joyful take on [...]
In 1992 Denise and I drove from Winston-Salem to Tarboro, NC, to meet Piedmont Bluesman George Higgs. At the time it seemed like a big trip – a four-hour drive east. We had heard George at [...]
Listen: Cool Yule Cool John Ferguson’s Holiday album is full of traditional Christmas tunes given a good dose of “Cool” guitar prowess. It also features an original song, [...]
Please give Ben Payton a warm welcome to Music Maker! Payton, of Jackson, Mississippi, is an acoustic blues artist with strong roots in the Delta. As a teenager in the 1960s his family moved to [...]
As Aaron puts it “this is the ‘We Are the World’ of Blues Christmas!” We have to admit, we wrote a Diggin’ on this last year, but its worth repeating – if you [...]
In the winter of 1995, I discovered how a simple gift can be the difference between life and death for our elderly artists. In that year, there was a terrible ice storm in Winston-Salem, NC [...]
Raphael Evrard and Simon Arcache were riding their bikes through downtown Hillsborough on Wednesday afternoon when they saw a woman from nearby Village Diner who recognized them and shouted a [...]
It’s no secret that good home cookin’ has a big place in southern culture, especially in the annals of southern roots music — just ask anybody who has had “Cornbread and [...]
We’ve just gotten word that Tarboro, NC Bluesman George Higgs has been moved out of the ICU after an issue with his lungs, and is on the mend. Unfortunately George has had to cancel his [...]
We know that to a lot of organizations, “Membership” can mean a lot of different things. To us at Music Maker, everyone who donates to our cause is a member of our community. When you [...]
Ironing Board Sam is heading out on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise next week to play alongside a lineup that includes MMRF Board Members the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Advisory Board [...]
John Dee will be at the Richmond Folk Festival this weekend, Oct. 12-14! Check out this “Diggin'” straight from our newsletter: John Dee Holeman has a new dog. Whitney and I stopped [...]
German photographer Axel Kustner has been a great friend to Music Maker and has taken so many wonderful photos of our artists. Don’t miss hearing him interviewed this Sunday from 5-7pm on [...]
Ironing Board Sam and Drink Small will perform together at Sweet Palmetto Blues at the Richland Fashion Mall this weekend. The two blues artists have more in common than just their South [...]
