A bright and warm home for the holidays

A warm, cozy house. Clean water. Bright, welcoming lights to chase away the dark.

Most of us take these everyday comforts for granted, even in the darkest and coldest winter months. But for many of the senior artists we serve at Music Maker Foundation, skyrocketing utility bills and fixed incomes make it all but impossible to afford these basic necessities – and live out their sunset years with the dignity they deserve.

Your generosity ensures that traditional artists like Drink Small and Ironing Board Sam have a bright and warm home for the holidays – and all year ‘round. Will you consider making a gift this holiday season? All gifts made by December 31, 2025 will be matched at 100% up to $100,000!

Every year, Music Maker surveys our partner artists to understand the challenges they face and make sure our programs are meeting their needs. We intentionally do our Artist Survey late in the fall because we know this is a critical time for working musicians. Gigs tend to dry up just as the cold weather sets in.

Our Artist Services Coordinator, Lucas Duffy, checks to make sure they have working heat and that their homes are secured for the coming bad weather. The questions on our annual survey about working utilities and food insecurity are often how we learn about our artists’ most critical needs.

Our partner artists are self-reliant folks who don’t always initiate a request for aid. But when we ask outright if they are behind on bills or if they have heat – then, they will tell us how precarious their situations are.

This fall, our surveys revealed that multiple senior artists were in this precarious state heading into winter. Electricity bills were a particular pain point. Several artists we spoke to were 3 to 4 months behind and had already gotten a shut off notice.

Thankfully, music lovers like you were there to help. Your support made it possible for us to issue emergency grants in addition to our regular monthly sustenance grants, allowing them to pay off their past-due bills and avoid a crisis. Thanks to you, these senior tradition-bearers will have electricity this holiday season.

But the winter is just beginning – and more artists still need our help.

It’s no secret that utility bills have soared in recent years. According to the AARP, 63% of Americans over age 50 saw their electricity and gas bills increase in 2024, and 1 in 4 reported that their utility bills had become unaffordable. For low-income seniors like our artists, who live on an average of $1,150/month, this is simply unsustainable. Assistance from our Sustenance Program can make the difference between having a roof over their head and losing their home.

“The monthly grant helps us so much,” says Andrina Small, wife of South Carolina bluesman Drink Small. “It’s the only reason we’re able to cover our mortgage and keep our home. Music Maker is a part of us, and we’re a part of the Music Maker family.”

Now through December 31, your gift goes twice as far toward helping senior artists like Drink and Andrina. Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by one of our generous donors, doubling your impact on the lives of American roots musicians in need.  Can we count on your support?

Thank you for helping our artists shine bright in the New Year.