Active Touring Artists

Little Pink Anderson

“I think feeling is the most important part of music.” - Little Pink Anderson Born: July 13, 1954 in South Carolina. Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues, Folk/Other Current Location: Vermillion, SD More about Little Pink: Alvin “Little Pink” Anderson was born on July 13, 1954, in South Carolina. His father, blues…

Adolphus Bell

“I got the advantage over a lot of artists. I got my whole band by myself.” - Adolphus Bell Feet flying, eyes flashing, hands on the guitar and song coming from the heart, that’s the Adolphus Bell One-Man Band. Born: June 5, 1944, Birmingham, Alabama Repertoire Summary:  One Man Band,…

Essie Mae Brooks

Essie Mae Brooks was born in Houston County, Georgia in 1930. Her father was a great drummer in the nearly forgotten African-American tradition called “Drumbeat.” He would play the drum every weekend and people would gather and dance all night long. Her grandfather was a harmonica player and Essie started…

Tommy Brown

“After 60 plus years in the show business, he can still make you dance, sing, laugh and cry all in a single song.” Tommy Brown is more than a legendary Blues singer, he is truly a legendary entertainer.  This is proven in his classic Blues recordings of the 1950s, including…

Lil’ Joe Burton

Joe Burton, affectionately known as “Lil” Joe from Chicago, is the quintessential Blues instrumentalist in a class of his own. Lil’ Joe’s career began in 1964 with the late, great Junior Wells.  Joe’s relationship with Junior continued for years but he also toured with other great acts such as, Bobby…

Carolina Chocolate Drops

“The Carolina Chocolate Drops are the hottest thing to hit the old-time music community in decades.” - Karen Michel, NPR “Tradition is a guide, not a jailer. We play in an older tradition but we are modern musicians.” - Justin Robinson Band Members: Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson Repertoire…

Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen

Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen’s powerful voice, humor and deep Blues bring the audience to their feet. Born: April 29, 1957 Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Greensboro, NC More about Pat: Since the age of six, Pat was surrounded by music.  Her blues classroom was on the porch of her…

Robert Lee Coleman

After years of playing the Blues, Robert continues on while his stirring vocals and dynamic guitar playing light the stage on fire. Born: May 15, 1945, in Macon, GA Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Macon, GA Robert Lee Coleman of Macon, Georgia played guitar for Percy Sledge from 1964…

Ardie Dean

Ardie Dean’s infectious happy-spirited charisma drives the Music Maker Revue. He is a world-class drummer who has been with Music Maker since 1991. Born: January 29, 1955 Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues and Electric Blues, drums Current Location: Huntsville, AL More about Ardie: Ardie Dean has been keeping blues time since…

Drink Small

“Drink Small has the biggest, deepest bass voice in the blues. His amazingly expressive sound falls right in between B.B. King and Bo Diddley. But Drink’s got a little something extra. I think it’s his gospel background.” Mapleshade Records Born: 1933, Bishopville, SC Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues Current Location: Columbia,…

Pura Fé

“With her voice soaring, foot stomping, this beautiful songbird transcends time and brings the message of our ancestors who have sewn this beautiful seed.  That makes powerful music.” - Taj Mahal Pura Fé‘s voice soars the heavens, taking us on a visionary ride, elegantly stating the indigenous influence on the…

Cool John Ferguson

“It didn’t matter where the music came from. I just learned it all – TV themes, blues, R&B, jazz, gospel – it all came in my ears and through my hands.”-Cool John Ferguson Born: December 1953 on St. Helena’s Island, South Carolina Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Rocky Mount,…

Benton Flippen

“Benton Flippen is a one-time phenomenon. Ambling quietly forth from a musical family, he has taken the traditions around him and molded them into something unique to suite himself. Along the way, he’s astonished and delighted others.”- Paul Brown, Westfield, NC Born: 1920, Mount Airy, NC Repertoire Summary:Folk/Other Current Location:Mount…

Lee Gates

Lee Gates has an incredible presence, standing well over six feet tall, his entire body draped with muscles from a life of hard work. He also has Blues genes, since he’s a first cousin to Albert Collins.  If Lee isn’t a true-Blue, Mississippi Delta Bluesman, then nobody can carry that…

George Higgs

“Higgs is a moving singer, powerful harp blower and has a gentle, propulsive guitar style that make for engaging listening.” - Jeff Harris, Bad Dog Blues Born: Edgecombe County, NC, 1930 Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues Current Location: Tarboro, NC George Higgs was born in 1930 in a farming community in…

John Dee Holeman

“His playing and singing have that special feel like they’re pouring out as natural as breathing.  He’s such a genuine bluesman that I want to touch him and hope it rubs off on me.” - Harvey Arnold, Music Maker guitarist Born: April 4, 1929, Hillsborough, North Carolina Repertoire Summary: Piedmont…

Little Freddie King

“If you want the real blues - and I’m not talkin’ about some long-haired hippy beatin’ on a National Resonator guitar or a mustachiod, Italian-suited slickster blowin’ on a chromatic harmonica - baby, you’d better call Little Freddie King.” Dr. Ira Padnos, musicologist Born: McComb, Mississippi, July 19, 1940 Repertoire…

Sonny Boy King

“As for my advice to kids today, they are worried too much about what kind of guitar they have. I tell them, as long as it got the strings on it, play it. The guitar does not play itself. You got to play it. But the most important thing is…

Guitar Lightnin’ Lee

Guitar Lightnin’ Lee, a multi-talented rhythm and blues purist, has defied all rational logic by assembling his band with a bunch of veteran rock and rollers half his age. His talent, lyrics, powerful voice, and boisterous personality match perfectly with his backup band. Thus, creating a supercharged blown out style…

Captain Luke

“In his own low-key way, Captain Luke Mayer is one of the most versatile and entertaining ‘discoveries’ that Music Maker has documented for quote a while.” -David Whiteis, Living Blues Magazine Born: November 27, 1927 in Greenville, SC Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues Current Location: Winston-Salem, NC More about Captain Luke:…

Bishop Dready Manning

You may have been going to church all your life, but chances are you have never attended a church with as much spirit as Bishop Dready Manning’s St. Mark Holiness Church outside Roanoke Rapids. Bishop Manning, a traditional guitarist, harmonica player, and gospel singer, has infused his church with music,…

Jerry “Boogie” McCain

“Jerry ‘Boogie’ McCain is among the greatest post war harp players alive today.” -Tim Duffy, MMRF President Born: 1930, Gadsden, AL Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Gadsden, AL Jerry “Boogie” McCain is the greatest post war harp player alive today. In 2001 he remains at the height of his…

Dave McGrew

The Okies and the Arkies used to do it. Now the Mexicans do it. In August they follow the pears and then the apples north from the eastern desert of Oregon and Washington into British Columbia. Some start in May with cherries in California and follow them north then east…

Mudcat

“Mudcat is a tremendous slide guitarist, and most of all, a God-gifted entertainer.” Tim Duffy Born: Tybee Island, Georgia Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Atlanta, Georgia Born in St. Paul on the banks of the Mississippi River and raised on Tybee Island, Georgia, Mudcat began engaging audiences while traveling…

Chicago Bob Nelson

“Chicago Bob Nelson’s singing and playing is in prime form; he plays the Blues the way it was meant to be played-from the heart.” Born: July 4, 1944, in Bogalusa, LA Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues, Electric Blues Current Location: Atlanta, GA Chicago Bob Nelson has played the Blues ever since…

Bubba Norwood

Drummer James “Bubba” Norwood’s credentials are among the brightest of any MM artist. Known mostly for his long-time association with Ike and Tina Turner, James has anchored the rhythm section for a Who’s Who of blues, soul, and R&B greats. Born: June 20, 1942 in North Carolina Repertoire Summary: Acoustic…

Abe Reid

Abe Reid is a master of growling out old tunes and screaming harmonica, and now his authentic finger picking style has lots of new guitar squeaks and squonks to unleash on the unsuspecting. Abe’s style inspires countless imitations and makes getting the blues enjoyable. He’s an innovator, creating infectious melodies…

Larry Shores

Larry Shores was born in 1948 in Elkin, Surry County, North Carolina, the sixth child and only boy to the teen bride of a man just back from World War II. Hard times saw young Larry a seasoned farmhand by the time he was on his own at 14. At…

Patrick & Cathy Sky

Patrick Sky, for those of you unfamiliar with the ‘60s, has been involved in singing, playing and performing his music and songs for over thirty years. In the past he has sold out Carnegie Hall and played for standing room only all over Europe and the United States. Among his…

Slewfoot

“Slewfoot and Cary B.‘s voices mesh together with an easy, haunting grace, but it is their songwriting, both separately and together, that is most striking.” -Itunes Review Born: 1953, New Orleans, LA Repertoire Summay: Folk/Other Current location: New Orleans, LA Slewfoot was born Mark McLaughlin in 1953. He began playing…

Alabama Slim

“I grew up listening to the old blues since I was a child. I spent summers with my grandparents who had a farm. Them old folks would get to moanin’ while they worked, and I just started moanin’ with them. That’s where I learned to sing.” -Alabama Slim Slim grew…

Sol

Sol is a rare, one of a kind musician. His talent stretches from fiery rock to laid back jazz, and from funky innovative grooves to soulful ballads, always drawing on a deep background in blues. Sol began his musical experiences gigging with blues luminaries such as Guitar Gabriel, Captain Luke,…

Sweet Betty

“When Sweet Betty sings there is an inevitable roar of pleasure from the crowd!” -Bob Margolin Born: Duluth, GA Current Location: Atlanta, GA Born in Duluth, GA, just northeast of Atlanta, Betty Echols Journey grew up listening to gospel music. (Her mother’s singing in church influenced her.) Aspiring to become…

Eddie Tigner

“You can’t separate the person and his music - especially with this man. When you are in his presence, you can’t help but smile. You can’t help but be happy and joyful and when he plays it’s the same thing. If you were blind and you heard him play, you…

Tad Walters

Born: Canton, OH, 1976 Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues Current Location: Raleigh, NC Born in Canton, OH, raised in Raleigh, NC, Tad Walters began playing the guitar at age twelve. As he was developing his guitar skill, Tad picked up the harmonica a couple years later at fourteen. He was influenced…

Beverly “Guitar” Watkins

“My style is real Lightnin’ Hopkins lowdown blues. I call it hard classic blues, stompin’ blues, railroad smokin’ blues.” - Beverly “Guitar” Watkins If you’ve never seen a blues lady who can play her guitar behind her head, belt out songs and roll over to sweet gospel, you’ve never been…

Lightnin’ Wells

Mike “Lightnin’” Wells was raised in North Carolina and has had an interest in traditional forms of music since childhood. An avid collector of country and blues recordings, these formed the basis for his developing style of playing and singing using a variety of acoustic instruments, including the guitar, banjo,…

Whistlin’ Britches

“He is the only fellow I have heard who can pop and click his tongue like a bushman.” Tim Duffy Born: Winston-Salem, NC, 1932 Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues Current Location: Winston-Salem, NC Haskel Thompson was born in Winston-Salem, NC in 1932, and has lived there to this day. Captain Luke…

Albert White

“Albert White is no stranger to rhythm and blues.” - Ardie Dean, MMRF Advisory Board Member & MMRF Drummer Born: December 1, 1942 Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Atlanta, GA More about Albert: Albert White began playing guitar in the late ‘50s with his legendary uncle, Piano Red, and…

Pat Wilder

“One of the most exciting blues guitarists/vocalists to come out of the bay area in a long time.” - Lee Hildebrand, The San Francisco Bay Guardian “Blues” is Patricia Wilder’s self-described music style - “real” music about “real” people, living real. Wilder’s musical foundation is rooted in jazz, rock, R&B,…