Ghouls, Ghosts, Blues!

Diggin: "Mojo Hand" photo by Jimmy Williams Note: Our thoughts this week are with everyone in the Northeast experiencing the devastation of the storm. We hope you are all safe and sound! Blues history is fraught with tales of the supernatural, from Robert Johnson's midnight pact with the devil to hoodoo magic winning gambling games in drink houses. I've listened to John Dee Holeman perform his take on classic blues tune "Mojo Hand" several times over the last few weeks and I can't get over how perfect his voice is for it - it injects just the right amount of matter-of-factness with the muted blues wail that John Dee is so good at pulling off. A mojo hand was a bit of hoodoo magic - usually "little red flannel bags that smelled of oils and perfumes; some were pierced by a needle or two" (in the words of Robert Palmer.) This recorded version of "Mojo Hand" is a bit more rollicking than usual, but still a good jam: "I'm goin' down down down / And buy me a mojo hand / I'm gonna show all these womens how you ought to treat your man," John Dee sings; it's just the right amount of eerie for a chilly Halloween week. -- Whitney Precious Bryant, pictured in front of her new home Photo of the Week by Aaron Greenhood Planning a Holiday Party? Music Maker Artists will make it unforgettable!   We know it's only November 1st, but holiday decor has been up in malls across America for a month by now. The Holidays are right around the corner, though it is always hard to believe! You might be thinking about hosting a Holiday party in the coming months for your friends, family or co-workers. The perfect addition to any Holiday gathering is a Music Maker artist! If you're interested in hiring one of our amazingly talented Roots musicians, Aaron would love to help answer your questions about pricing, etc. You can reach him 9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday at 919-643-2456 or aaron@musicmaker.org. Keep up with Music Maker!      Support Music Maker, and help keep the music alive!     Music Maker Members keep our culture vibrant We know that to a lot of organizations, "Membership" can mean a lot of different things. To us at Music Maker, everyone who donates to our cause is a member of our community. When you donate to Music Maker, you're actively supporting and uplifting hundreds of Roots musicians. For us, that means you've joined a widespread, yet close-knit, family of musicians, staff, supporters and fans worldwide. Being a member is simple: if you've given in the last twelve months, you're a member.  Our members make it possible for us to do things like help Precious Bryant find decent living conditions, re-launch Ironing Board Sam's career and make sure artists can afford their bills each month.  In addition to being a part of a thriving and passionate musical community, we're working on some exciting membership benefits to be announced over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, if you're not already a member, Please Donate Today and help us continue our mission. Our artists deeply appreciate your contributions that keep them playing, and your ears that keep you listening. Listen:  John Dee Holeman -   Mojo Hand Missed Capitol Blues Night? Don't miss these awesome videos!    Cool John Ferguson, Ironing Board Sam, Captain Luke, Big Ron Hunter, Sol and Ardie Dean, along with harp player Phil Wiggins rocked the stage last week in DC. We saw many of you out there, and the artists were so thrilled that you loved their performances! If you haven't seen on our Facebook, there are several live recordings of the event - check them out here from The Hamilton, and here on YouTube, from supporter Dominique Meekers.  Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events  10/27- 11/2- Ironing Board Sam, Carolina Chocolate Drops - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 11/02 - John Dee Holeman - They Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, NC 11/02 - Albert White - Northside Tavern, Atlanta, GA 11/08 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkelton, Chapel Hill, NC 11/09 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, NC 11/11 - John Dee Holeman -  Pinecone Music of the Carolinas, NCMoH, Raleigh, NC 11/15 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill, NC 11/17 - Lakota John and Kin - American Indian Heritage Festival, NCMo, Raleigh, NC 11/22 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill, NC 11/29 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill, NC   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.