Carolina Chocolate Drops mentor, Joe Thompson, passes away

Carolina Chocolate Drops mentor, Joe Thompson, passes away Music Maker was sad to learn yesterday of the passing of Joe Thompson of Mebane, N.C. In recent years the revered African-American fiddler mentored the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, who in their early days as a group spent time playing with him at his home and various festivals. Said Dom Flemons, "Joe Thompson changed my life. When I first met him in 2005, I had no idea that I would be so heavily involved in making music with him and then making a group that has helped get his name out there further than he might have by himself. One thing for sure is that from my end it has been a constantly humbling journey to be able to have said I worked with him and that my music has forever been affected by his guidance and willingness to share his music with me. He opened up the idea of the "American Songster" to me at a time when I was only searching for the way to express it in the dark. And he only did this by playing and singing a song. I am eternally grateful to you, Joe Thompson. May the man have a solid place for you up yonder because you've more than earned it." Read the article by David Menconi about Joe Thompson here. Listen: Joe Thompson and the Carolina Chocolate Drops - Going down the road feeling bad Ironing Board Sam heats up North Dakota! Ironing Board Sam will play the North Dakota Museum of Art (NDMOA) the evening of February 25th, and will play a "blues brunch" the next day as well! NDMOA is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and was founded in the mid-1970's. They present contemporary, international art as well as the visual history of the region, and have begun assembling a collection of contemporary Native American art as well. Check out this article in the Grand Forks Herald about Ironing Board Sam's show - note though that while Big Ron will be performing at NDMOA in April, the article is incorrect in mentioning Ron will join Sam at his February shows. If you're in the area and want more details, click here! Drink Small plays Jazz Foundation's "Howlin' for Hubert" Drink Small will play at the Alhambra Ballroom in NYC as part of the Jazz Foundation's fundraising event "Howlin' for Hubert" on February 24th. The event, which will start at the Apollo Theater, has an all-star lineup from Eric Clapton to Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The fundraiser is a celebration of the musical legacy of the late Hubert Sumlin and his influence on every guitar hero of today - and will benefit the Jazz Foundation's mission to assist musicians in need. Diggin': Joe Thompson and the CCDs' "Going down the road feeling bad" We thought this week's Diggin' should showcase a track from the album Carolina Chocolate Drops with Joe Thompson. Joe takes the lead on the vocals in "Going down the road feeling bad," and you can just hear the fun they were all having playing this in front of a live audience. Joe's legacy will live on in artists such as the Chocolate Drops. As Rhiannon said, "How I wish I had known about Joe Thompson earlier, but I'll take what I can get! I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate to have been able to get the time I got with Joe. He was a great man, and so patient with us. He also had a fabulous group of supporters around him that is a testament to the kind of man he was. His was a voice that will never come again, but I'm sure glad he stuck around long as he could to share it with the world. My playing and outlook on the musical world changed forever when I met Joe, and I thank God for him." We hope you enjoy this week's Diggin' in memory of Joe. -- Corinne 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 2/21 - Ironing Board Sam - SOOTS Fat Tuesday Film & Music Festival 2/24 - Big Ron Hunter - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, N.C. 2/24 - Drink Small - Howlin' for Hubert, NYC 2/25 & 2/26 - Ironing Board Sam - North Dakota Museum of Art 3/03 - Ironing Board Sam - Armed Forces Retirees Club, Greensboro, 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 - The ArtsCenter, Carrboro, N.C. 3/29 - Ironing Board Sam - Art with a Heart, Washington D.C. 4/13 - SOOTS 6th Annual Blues Review featuring John Dee Holeman, Tad Walters, & Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes 4/14 - Big Ron Hunter - North Dakota Museum of Art 4/27 - Guitar Lightnin' Lee, Leyla McCalla - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/28 - Carolina Chocolate Drops - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 4/29 - Ironing Board Sam - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 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.