About Music Maker Relief Foundation & MMRF Timeline

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 providing with basic life needs so they can focus on their art. Music Maker also assists Next Generation (under 55) 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.

Living Blues Magazine writes, "North Carolina's Music Maker label has been digging up obscure and blissfully eccentric blues and traditional music characters for most of their 17-year existence."

1991 – Tim Duffy invited to archive his field recordings and photographs at the Southern Folklife Collection.

1994 – Music Maker Founded in Winston-Salem, NC.

1994 – Our first donation! 2 pallets of Ensure purchased for elderly artists.

1994 - Guitar Gabriel and Willa Mae Buckner perform at Carnegie Hall.

1995 - Eric Clapton meets Tim Duffy at Cello Studios; the two record The MS Blues.

1997 - Tim Duffy Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by National Guitars.

1998 – Winston-Salem Blues Revival, a 42-city tour, launches Music Maker around the country with blues legend Taj Mahal.

2001 – Music Maker relocates to Hillsborough, NC.

2002 – Music Maker releases the book Portraits and Songs of the Roots of America.

2004 – Tim Duffy named person of the week on ABC News with Peter Jennings.

2005 – DixieFrog Release The Last and Lost Blues Survivors sells 20,000 copies in France.

2006 – Music Maker Blues Revue begins tours through Europe yearly.

2006 – Music Maker Blues Revue invited to Byron Bay Blues Festival yearly.

2007 – Toot Blues Documentary released.

2008 – Music Maker buys a permanent residence for the organization in Downtown Hillsborough.

2012 – Music Maker awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to present a music series in Chapel Hill, NC.

2012 – Music Maker and supporters help purchase a new home for artist Precious Bryant.

2012 – Partner Artist Ironing Board Sam plays to over capacity crowd at New Orleans Jazz Fest.

2014 – Music Maker celebrates 20^th Anniversary with a launch of a new book and museum exhibit, We Are the Music Makers.