George Higgs Passes Away

Music Maker Artist George Higgs Remembered Music Maker artist George Higgs passed away yesterday, January 29th, at the age of 82 in Tarboro, North Carolina. The mouth-harp player had been facing several health issues in the past few months, and we thank you for all who sent well-wishes to him through Music Maker. We will greatly miss George, who shared so much of himself through music. He learned to play the harmonica as a child from his father, who enjoyed playing at home and community events in his spare time. As a teen he picked up the guitar, and continued honing his musical abilities for decades. After partnering with Music Maker George released two CDs and was able to perform for audiences in France, Switzerland and around the U.S. In the past six years he was very active with the SOOTS program at Raleigh Charter High School, visiting the students at their club meetings, performing at fundraisers, and building lasting friendships and fans through the program. Our thoughts are with George's friends and family, and we will post funeral information as soon as we have it. Read more about George Higgs and his music here. Tim & Aaron work to document musicians MMRF is perhaps as known for its talented blues musicians as it is for its legendary photographs capturing the artists. The walls of the MMRF office in Hillsborough are lined with black and white snapshots from over the years-Boo Hanks holding his guitar, Precious Bryant smiling sweetly for the camera and so on.   To continue this tradition, MMRF founder Tim and artist services coordinator Aaron have started to explore a centuries old form of photography known as wet plate photography. This medium gives them the ability to further document our artists for future generations. Read more about Tim and Aaron working with wet plate, and its origins, here.  Music Maker partners with the Center for Documentary Studies   We're excited to announce a partnership with an undergraduate class offering at Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies this spring. DOCST 460S: "Multimedia Documentary" is a course taught by Christopher Sims. Students will have access to MMRF archives but will also create original content for our website through video, still photography and audio fieldwork. Read more here!  Diggin: "Reuben" We thought we would highlight a George Higgs track this week, in memory of him. Tim chose the track "Reuben" and Margot shares her thoughts on it. Click here to read about and listen to "Reuben." Beverly "Guitar" Watkins Photo of the Week by Tim Duffy Keep up with Music Maker!      Your support ensures Music Maker is able to preserve Southern Roots music, assist elderly artists, and share the music of America with the world. Become a member with your gift today and keep the music alive. Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events  2/01 - Ironing Board Sam - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, NC 2/08 - Pat "Mother Blues" Cohen, Big Ron Hunter and Ironing Board Sam - NC Youth Tap Ensemble, Durham, NC 2/14 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - Steve's Live Music - Sandy Springs, GA 2/15 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, NC 3/14 - Ironing Board Sam - The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill, NC 3/18 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, NC 3/18 - Music Maker Blues Revue- Havelock Tourist and Event Center, Havelock, 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.