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.
Fred Thomas
BluesOne of the originators of funk music, playing bass with James Brown & The JB’s for 3 1/2 decades, longtime New Yorker Fred Thomas has now stepped up to the mic himself.
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.
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
Shelton Powe
BluesShelton Powe was far into his adulthood before he finally went back to revisit the gospel and blues songs played by his family, but now, he’s a celebrated keeper of the Piedmont blues tradition.
Leonard “Lowdown” Brown
BluesLeonard “Lowdown” Brown is an electric guitar-slinging blues legend in the Houston music scene. His virtuosic fingerwork and formidable voice seem effortless, evidence of his raw talent and over four decades of dedication to his craft.
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.
