NEA Funds Music Maker's Chapel Hill Series

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. - Music Maker is proud to announce a spring music series at Southern Village in Chapel Hill, N.C., that will be offered free to the public. The Roots and Leaves Series will feature traditional music on four Fridays in June from 6-8pm. Each performance will focus on a specific musical genre and highlight the cultural heritage of the local area. The event is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Market Street at Southern Village and Aloft Hotel Chapel Hill.

My South My Blues, on June 8th, will present a varied group of bluesmen, including John Dee Holeman, an NEA National Heritage Fellow, Captain Luke and Cool John Ferguson.

Listen: John Dee Holeman's Little Country Gal

Heart Strings will explore the Piedmont string-band tradition that has evolved over two centuries, presenting Piedmont-style guitarist Boo Hanks, and country band Kelly and the Cowboys on June 15th.

Listen: Boo Hanks' Step It Up and Go

Sisters of the South on June 22nd, focusing on blues and gospel, will include performances from powerhouse vocalist Essie Mae Brooks and Pat "Mother Blues" Cohen.

Listen: Essie Mae Brooks' Rain In Your Life

Native Voices, our final show on June 29th, will showcase North Carolina Native American artists drawing on centuries of ancestral music for their inspiration. Nammy-award-winning artist Pura Fé Crescioni with the Pura Fé Trio will perform, alongside 15-year old guitar prodigy Lakota John Locklear.

Listen: Pura Fé Crescioni's Red, Black on Blues

The outdoor concerts will take place at the Village Green at Market Street in Southern Village on Fridays from June 8th - 29th, 6-8pm. For more information visit www.musicmaker.org.

About Music Maker Relief Foundation:

Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is a tax exempt, public charity under IRS code 501(c)3. Music Maker aims to keep our Southern culture vital by directly supporting senior

(over 55) American roots musicians in need, expanding their professional careers, and assisting Next Generation artists in the development of their professional careers. Since the organization's

founding in 1994, Music Maker has assisted hundreds of musicians who represent the traditions of Blues, Gospel, Old-Time String Band, Jazz and more. Music Maker's programs ensure the

talents of these cultural treasures are accessible so that our rich musical heritage can be shared with the world and preserved for future generations