Feel Good Friday - Music Maker Relief Foundation

It's Friday and time to celebrate with more music. This organization came to my attention courtesy of my brother - thanks, Jon!

Today's group is the Music Maker Relief Foundation. Their aim is to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it. They partner with traditional artists over the age of 55 with a yearly income of less than $18,000.

Their Musician Sustenance program provides grants to help with monthly bills for medicine, food and housing, while their Musical Development program works with musicians to develop their talents, book stage shows and record their works. Not only does this give the musicians earned income from performances and royalties but it introduces them to new audiences around the world.

You can learn more about the organization in this 4 minute video: Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Since their founding in 1994, they have partnered with over 300 artists, issued over 150 CDs and reached over a million people with live performance in over 40 states and 17 countries around the globe. It's a home grown Buena Vista Social Club!

Go to the Music Maker YouTube Channel if you want to see some of the live performances. Call me when you've found the one of the grandma who plays the guitar behind her head! For real. (I can't share the links to everything can I?)

If you've got an idea of a group or person I can blog about - let me know.  Next week, the Feel Good Friday thank you shout out may go to you!