BECAUSE THE MUSIC MATTERS
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OUR MISSION
The Music Maker Relief Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it, ensuring their voices will not be silenced by poverty and time.
Music Maker will give future generations access to their heritage through documentation and performance programs that build knowledge and appreciation of America’s musical traditions.
PROGRAMS
EDUCATION
Makes American musical heritage accessible to current and future generations through public exhibitions, youth engagement, and archival preservation.
PERFORMANCE
Supports artistic excellence through professional development, tour booking and management services.
SUSTENANCE
Provides ongoing support to artists living in chronic poverty and emergency grants to artists in crisis
What We’ve Accomplished
Musician Grants
Performances
Songs Released
Artists Supported
HEAR THE MUSIC MAKERS
Blue Muse is a musical testament to the 25 year history of the Music Maker Relief Foundation and its partner artists. The album features 21 tracks, most of which were recorded by Music Maker founder Timothy Duffy, that capture the infinite complexity of Traditional American Music
Music Maker’s exhibition programs educate and engage viewers in the cultural history of America’s music. The blues, gospel and string band traditions of the South have formed a deep aquifer of music that contemporary artists around the world draw from daily. The combination of photography and multi-media materials in each exhibit shine a light on the many unsung heroes that continue to feed these traditions in our nation and asks viewers to reflect on how poverty, geography, and age have limited the exposure of these artists, causing the widespread idea that our musical traditions have “died out”.
On view at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center | Portsmouth, VA | March 16, 2019 – June 8, 2019
For a PDF of exhibit details and fact sheets, please click here
On view at the New Orleans Museum of Art | April 25, 2019 – July 28, 2019
On view at the National Blues Museum | St. Louis, MO | March 5, 2019 – June 6, 2019
For a PDF of exhibit details and fact sheets, please click here
Blog
Diggin’: Drink Small – Widow Woman
Blue Muse by Drink SmallDrink Small from Columbia, South Carolina is known...
Music Maker Heads Back to Telluride Blues & Brews Festival!
[caption id="attachment_7555" align="aligncenter" width="547"] The Glorifying Vines Sisters @ Telluride Blues &...
Tour Schedule
Music Maker Blues Revue – Northside Festival
at the The Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Time: 11:30 am Price: Free
Parlor Concert Series: Glorifying Vines Sisters
at the 4519 Orange Grove Rd. in Hillsborough, NC
Time: 4:00 pm Price: $25
Music Maker Blues Revue – Virginia Arts Festival
at the Roger Brown's Restaurant and Sports Bar in Portsmouth, VA
Time: 7:00 pm Price: $25
Shakori: Music Maker Blues Revue
at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in Pittsboro, NC
Time: 6:30 pm Price: $42
Ironing Board Sam at Jazz Fest
at the Jazz Fest in New Orleans, LA
Time: Price: $70
A Day of Remembrance
at the Gold Park in Hillsborough, NC
Time: 3:00 pm Price: Free
Freight Train Blues: AJ Ghent
at the Carrboro Town Commons (Farmer’s Market) in Carrboro, NC
Time: 6:30 pm Price: FREE
Freight Train Blues: Chatham Rabbits, Alexa Rose
at the Carrboro Town Commons (Farmer’s Market) in Carrboro, NC
Time: 6:30 pm Price: FREE
Como Mamas EU Tour
at the Escape Room Eindhoven - De Effenaar in Eindhoven, Netherlands
Time: 7:30 pm Price: 20.50 EUR
Freight Train Blues: Eastern NC Gospel Jubilee
at the Carrboro Town Commons (Farmer’s Market) in Carrboro, NC
Time: 6:30 pm Price: FREE
Freight Train Blues: Cool John Ferguson, Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen, Cookie McGee
at the Carrboro Town Commons (Farmer’s Market) in Carrboro, NC
Time: 6:30 pm Price: FREE
SHOP MUSIC MAKER
Captain Luke T-Shirt
$20.00
Etta Baker – Railroad Bill 12” Vinyl
$20.00
Ironing Board Sam: Super Spirit
$12.00
We are the Music Makers! 2-CD Set
$15.00
Captain Luke T-Shirt
$20.00
Etta Baker – Railroad Bill 12” Vinyl
$20.00
Ironing Board Sam: Super Spirit
$12.00
We are the Music Makers! 2-CD Set
$15.00
