Chicken Raid returns to Atlanta!

Chicken Raid is back in Atlanta, honoring Mr. Frank Edwards! Mr. Frank Edwards March 24th and 25th the Northside Tavern in Atlanta will host the annual Chicken Raid in honor of Mr. Frank Edwards! Performers include Essie Mae Brooks, Mudcat, and a Music Maker Blues Revue featuring Albert White, Roy Lee Johnson, Jim Ransone, Beverly Watkins, Eddie Tigner, Tommy Brown, and Robert Lee Coleman! The Blues Revue will play Saturday - and both days the party goes from 3pm to midnight. If you're in Atlanta don't miss out! More info at northsidetavern.com. Diggin': Sweet Betty's music explored by Christie Ray Upon listening to Sweet Betty's "Everybody Needs Love" for the first time, I could tell from just the opening few notes that she must have been influenced by gospel music at some point in her life. Betty was raised listening to her mother sing in church, and has been singing blues and gospel ever since. "Everybody Needs Love" features Betty's powerful voice against a backdrop of the piano and saxophone. I could almost see the church choir swaying to the sound of her voice as I listened. Sweet Betty's soulful vocals, combined with the mixture of blues, gospel and jazz of the piano, saxophone and drums, had me tapping my foot and singing along from the opening verse. The idea that everybody needs love might not be a new concept to us, but Sweet Betty's powerful interpretation of the idea is refreshing and invigorating. "Everybody Needs Love" is on Betty's album "Live and Let Live," recorded by Music Maker in 2004. -- Christie Ray Christie Ray Harrison, a Raleigh, N.C. native, is another great Music Maker intern attending UNC. She is completing a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and will graduate this spring. Listen: Sweet Betty- Everybody needs love Quick Links: Website Merch Music Still time to buy tix for Capitol Blues! Don't miss this great show - MMRF artists Ironing Board Sam, Captain Luke, Big Ron Hunter, and Shelton Powe will be at Clyde's of Gallery Place to rock out from 7pm to 10pm on March 27th. Tickets are $100 and include beer and wine, hors d'oeuvres, and an awesome evening of blues! Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the elderly and impoverished Blues musicians throughout the South who are served by Music Maker. Buy your tickets here - don't wait, they're selling fast! Photo of the week Macavine Hayes in Spain by Tim Duffy See Leyla McCalla in Carrboro on Friday Leyla McCalla, with Cary Morin, will open for Celtic band Lunasa at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro on Friday 3/23! Leyla's sultry vocals and rhythmically lilting cello will be complimented by Cary's guitar, ensuring a memorable evening for the audience. Don't wait, get your tickets today!

Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events 3/22 - Leyla McCalla - The Hamilton, D.C. 3/23 - Leyla McCalla - The ArtsCenter, Carrboro, N.C. 3/23 - Big Ron Hunter - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, N.C. 3/24-25 - Chicken Raid - Northside Tavern, Atlanta, G.A. 3/27 - Ironing Board Sam, Captain Luke, Big Ron Hunter, Shelton Powe - Capitol Blues Night, D.C. 3/29 - Ironing Board Sam - Art with a Heart, Washington D.C. 4/07 - Ironing Board Sam - The Whiskey, Durham, N.C. 4/13 - SOOTS 6th Annual Blues Review featuring John Dee Holeman, Tad Walters, & Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes 4/13 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, N.C. 4/14 - Big Ron Hunter - North Dakota Museum of Art 4/21 - Music Maker Blues Revue - Shakori Hills Festival, N.C. 4/27 - Cool John Ferguson, Captain Luke, and Shelton Powe - Havelock Blues Festival, N.C. 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 5/11 - Music Maker Blues Revue - Back Porch Music, Durham, N.C. 5/11 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, N.C. 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.