Music Maker is in the process of developing a partnership with piano player, Wilbur Tharpe. Wilbur has played for many years with Lena Mae Perry of the Branchettes, but since a house fire which resulted in the loss of his traveling piano and his cars, Wilbur has struggled to work as much as he has wanted. For 30 years Wilbur taught North Carolina history as a public school teacher in Raleigh. Wilbur always had a side music gig going whether it be a pig pickin’, family reunion or bar show. As time went on these sorts of gigs dried up as people started hiring DJs or just foregoing music altogether. Music Maker is currently working on getting Wilbur solo gigs, a keyboard and a car to load it up in so he can make it to the show! For our Hickory Museum of Art show a couple weeks ago Wilbur joined the Blues Revue and set the house on fire. Wilbur played the tune “Big Fat Woman” as Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen danced on the side of the stage, the audience exploded with excitement. Keeps your eyes peeled for more news about Wilbur down the line.

— Corn Lewis