Love and light for Sweet Betty

Blues singer “Sweet Betty” Echols Journey sang about the power of love on her debut solo album Live & Let Live, released 21 years ago on the Music Maker label. Senior roots artists like Sweet Betty know that love comes in many forms: a hug from a family member, wild applause from an adoring audience – and, sometimes, a helping hand up in times of crisis.

Sweet Betty owned the stages of Atlanta and beyond for decades with her powerful voice, singing with the likes of saxophone legend Grady “Fats” Jackson and Muddy Water’s guitarist Bob “Steady Rollin” Margolin. When Music Maker Foundation met her in 2003, a few years after Fats’ passing, she needed a hand up. We re-launched her career with her solo album, helped her afford her prescription medication, and soon brought her on tour across the USA and Europe.

But even the strongest voice eventually falters. Now 76 years old, Sweet Betty spent 10 months of the last year in the hospital. For seniors living on meager Social Security payments, medical issues can be devastating both physically and financially. Sweet Betty’s hospital stays had stretched her fixed income to its breaking point. She was so behind on her bills that the power company was threatening to shut off her electricity.

When Artist Services Coordinator Lucas Duffy called her this spring for a routine check-in, she was back in the hospital receiving a blood transfusion. She tearfully explained her situation – and we leapt into action. Thanks to your support, Music Maker paid Sweet Betty’s electric bill in full so she could come home to recover in safety and comfort.

“You don’t know how much you helped me,” she said when Lucas told her the good news. “God sent you to me today.”

Sadly, Sweet Betty’s situation is not unique. Housing insecurity is a common issue among the roots musicians we serve, most of whom are seniors living on a fixed income from Social Security. The same month we helped Sweet Betty, we also helped Ironing Board Sam avoid eviction from his Alabama apartment and Australia “Honeybee” Jones-Neal catch up on rent after a yearlong sickness – plus dozens of other partner artists who rely on monthly stipends from our Sustenance Program to make ends meet.

Generous music lovers like you make this work possible. Your gift provides life-changing aid to vulnerable artists through our Sustenance Program, including:

• Monthly stipends of $300 to $500 for senior artists living on an average of $17,586 per year, which helps them pay their rent and keep food in the house;
• Medical support including help with dental work, medical bills for emergency procedures, incontinence supplies, and grocery delivery after major surgeries;
• Emergency grants to help artists in crisis situations;
• Home repairs and appliances to keep homes safe and warm;
• Transportation to help them get to gigs, the doctor’s office, and the grocery store to maintain their health and their careers; and
• Artistic grants including instruments and Music Maker-produced albums to enhance their gig income.

In 2024, we made 706 grants to artists in 13 states. With your support, we can continue this work for decades to come, helping the artists who sustain American musical traditions endure whatever life throws at them.

Will you make a gift today to help roots musicians in need?

Artists like Sweet Betty have spent their lives enriching ours by sharing the music they love. Now it’s our turn to enrich theirs. Thank you for sharing your love with them.