Music Maker Relief Foundation - Bid on a Fender Strat signed by Bonnie Raitt!

Bonnie Raitt wants to Thank You for supporting Music Maker! Music Maker will be auctioning off a Fender guitar on the upcoming Blues Cruise - and Bonnie Raitt will sign and dedicate the guitar to the winning bidder! This American Deluxe Stratocastor was donated by Fender Musical Instrument Corp. and has a MSRP of $2000! Music Maker will have the unsigned guitar available for view on the Blues Cruise, and will take care of shipping it to Bonnie and then back to the winning bidder. In addition to Bonnie's guitar donation to the auction, her good friend and old touring buddy Jackson Browne made a charitable gift to challenge blues lovers to support MMRF and the Foundation's efforts to keep the blues alive. We thank Bonnie and Jackson, members of the MMRF Advisory Board, as well as Fender and the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise for all they do to support the Blues! If you'd like to bid on the guitar but aren't going on the Blues Cruise, you can still get in on the action! Just submit your top bid to Denise Duffy at denise@musicmaker.org or by phone at 919-643-2456 by 5pm, January 20th. Listen: Guitar Gabriel - Southland Blues Digging through the stacks: Guitar Gabriel's "Southland Blues" This week's dig was chosen by Tim. "Southland Blues," by Guitar Gabriel, was recorded in the basement of a now-defunct Durham bar called "Under The Street." The bartender, a friend of Tim's, left the beer and liquor cabinet open for three days during the recording session. It was in that time that Tim and Gabe laid down one of the seminal recordings of the Music Maker label and the beginning of our extensive and lauded catalog. "Southland Blues" is Guitar Gabriel's reflection on his youth growing up in the South. He was a truly incredible songwriter with the ability to write songs on the spot. It's no exaggeration to so say that his songwriting was on par with that of the greats, like Lightnin' Hopkins or Howlin' Wolf. This and several other great recordings can all be found on Deep in the South, originally released on cassette and later rereleased on Cello Records in 1998. Check out the track above, and enjoy! -- Aaron & Corinne Cruising with Music Maker Music Maker Founder Denise Duffy will be on Blues Cruise #18 - if you'll be on the boat, she would love to see you and say hi! Calling All Blues Societies! Will you be cruising? Denise wants to sit down and talk with you about bringing more live Blues to your area! We would love to set up a time for you and Denise to get together on the cruise - contact corinne@musicmaker.org to chat about Denise's schedule! New Release! Guitar Lightnin' Lee's N.O.L.A. Rhythum & Booze Music Maker Relief Foundation is excited to announce the release of a new album by Guitar Lightnin' Lee, entitled N.O.L.A. RHYTHUM and BOOZE. The album features Lightnin's powerful voice and soulful rhythm and blues. A native of New Orleans, LA, Guitar Lightnin' Lee was raised with the blues and boasts nearly 60 years of music experience including playing with New Orleans legends such as Earl King, Fats Domino, Ernie K-Doe and Little Freddie King. On this album, Lightnin' has combined his experience and talent with his boisterous personality to create and showcase a blown out style of New Orleans rock 'n' roll and blues. Guitar Lightnin' Lee is one of Music Maker's Active Touring Artists who began working with the Foundation in 2011 in an effort to preserve his unique sound and make his music more accessible. Check out the album here! Photo of the Week Ironing Board Sam by Jimmy Williams Quick Links: Website Merch Music

Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events 1/13 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, N.C. 1/28 - Ironing Board Sam - NC Museum of History 2/03 - Ironing Board Sam - The Blue Note Grill, Durham, N.C. 2/03 - Boo Hanks - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, N.C. 2/10 - Ironing Board Sam - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, N.C. 2/12 - Boo Hanks - PineCone presents Music of the Carolinas 2/17 - Shelton Powe - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, N.C. 2/24 - Big Ron Hunter - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, N.C. 3/09 - Pura Fé, Deer Clan Singers - UNC Pembroke 3/10 - Shelton Powe - St. Anne's Chapel & Event Center, Tarboro, N.C. 3/23 - Leyla McCalla - Carrboro Arts Center 4/14 - Big Ron Hunter - North Dakota Museum of Art Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. We present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations.

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