Tending the roots of American Music
Music Maker meets the day-to-day needs of the artists who create traditional American music, ensures their voices are heard, and gives all people access to our nation’s hidden musical treasures.
SUSTENANCE
Grants to our partner musicians help them keep roofs over their heads, food on their tables, instruments in their hands, and help them weather crises.
Performance
We book our artists’ performances—everywhere from venues in their hometowns to stages around the world—and provide them with CDs to sell in their communities.
Education
We create books, release recordings, and curate exhibitions that tour museums across the United States, creating cultural equity for our partner artists.
Meet the Artist & Discover the Music
Hermon Hitson
BluesHermon Hitson’s guitar playing is funk, soul and psychedelic rock magically rolled into one. He comes by it honestly, having played with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Joe Tex, Bobby Womack and Wilson Pickett.
Lena Mae Perry & the Branchettes
SacredLena Mae Perry, Ethel Elliott, and Mary Ellen Bennett formed the Branchettes almost by accident. But their old-time gospel sound touched hearts around the world
Discover the Sacred Soul of North Carolina
SacredThe jubilee quartet style has roots going back to the 17th century — and branches into life in the 21st. This music influenced the formation of rock ’n’ roll, soul, and rhythm & blues.
Photo by Zoe van Buren.
Discover “Hanging Tree Guitars”
BluesSculptor and art guitar maker Freeman Vines’ revelatory “Hanging Tree Guitars” project — now an acclaimed book and exhibition featured on NPR and in Rolling Stone — reveals an unspoken American history and gives voice to those silenced.
Harvey Dalton Arnold
BluesA former member of the Outlaws, part of the 1970s wave of Southern Rock bands, Harvey was playing stadium gigs while he was still a teenager. Today, he still plays slamming electric blues but also turns out some great acoustic work.
Johnny Ray Daniels
SacredJohnny Ray Daniels is a pioneering figure in the sacred soul music of eastern North Carolina — a powerful solo artist whose high notes send chills through the spines of his audience and a founding member of the Glorifying Vines Sisters.
Get involved
& give back
The Music Maker Foundation depends on thousands of supporters. Together, we work to meet the day-to-day needs of the artists who create traditional American music, we ensure their voices are heard, we give all people access to our nation’s hidden musical treasures. Please contribute or shop our store today.
