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 Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences | Charleston, WV | July 1, 2019 – November 3, 2019
For a PDF of exhibit details and fact sheets, please click here
For a PDF of exhibit details and fact sheets, please click here
On view at the Delta Cultural Arts Center | Helena, AR | October 1, 2019 – January 4, 2020
For a PDF of exhibit details and fact sheets, please click here
Blog
Music Maker x Big Legal Mess Playlist
With our 25th Anniversary upon us we want to thank some of...
Diggin’: John Dee Holeman – Give Me Back My Wig
Last Pair of Shoes by John Dee Holeman"Don't let your doggone head...
Tour Schedule
Lakota John & Kin
at the Nash Arts Center in Nashville, NC
Time: 7:00 pm Price: Free
Lucerne Blues Festival – Robert Lee Coleman
at the Grand Casino Lucerne in Lucerne, Switzerland
Time: Price:
MUSIC MAKER 25 PICKERS & STORYTELLERS: DOM FLEMONS, “BLIND BOY” PAXTON, JAKE XERXES FUSSELL & GAIL CAESAR
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 SOUTHERN VOICES: LONNIE HOLLEY & ALEXA ROSE
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 ZYDECO
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 NATIVE AMERICAN: PURA FÉ, CARY MORIN, DEER CLAN SINGERS, & LAKOTA JOHN & KIN
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 1:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
MUSIC MAKER 25 BLUES REVUE: COOL JOHN FERGUSON, ALABAMA SLIM, PAT “MOTHER BLUES” COHEN, PURA FÉ & CARY MORIN MUSIC DIRECTOR: TIMOTHY DUFFY
at the The Fruit in Durham, NC
Time: 8:00 pm Price: $25, $10 Duke students
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
