Music Maker supporter Ed Carson of Still Pond, MD and Kill Devil Hills, NC passed away suddenly last week. Ed was a member of the prestigious North Carolina dance troupe, The Green Grass Cloggers. He was proud to perform at Carnegie Hall and prouder still to be the tour bus mechanic. We met Ed in 2007 at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival in Silk Hope, NC. Soon after, he purchased a Bluebird Motor Coach that had been donated to Music Maker. The purchase proceeds enabled us to renovate and open our Program Center in Hillsborough.

Ed remained a steadfast contributor, joining us for Fishin’ Blues Tournaments in Central America, working on MMRF’s ‘73 Winnebago and volunteering at our popcorn stand at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival. He was planning to attend our Capitol Blues Night last Thursday, but it was not to be. Tim Duffy took this photo of Ed with his favorite bus, Rosie, this past spring at Shakori Hills.(Hi-res file here). Ed was an extremely generous soul and a friend to many in need, he will be sorely missed.