Springfield, Ga. – May 23, 2014 – Beverly “Guitar” Watkins will take the stage at 8 pm on Saturday, May 31. This show will be the first in a series of six concerts at the Mars Theatre in support of American Roots and Blues Artists through the Music Maker Relief Foundation.
The Music Maker Relief Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it — ensuring their voices will not be silenced by poverty and time. Music Maker gives future generations access to their heritage through documentation and performance programs that build knowledge and appreciation of America’s musical traditions. By targeting their programs to serve the most vulnerable musicians, those 55 years and older with incomes under $18,000 a year, they are allowing these musicians to develop their talents, stage shows, record their works, inspire their community and focus on their music.
Since their founding in 1994, they have assisted and partnered with over 300 artists, issued over 150 CDs and have reached over a million people with live performances in over 40 states and 17 countries around the globe. Music Maker started by helping a small group of blues musicians in Winston-Salem, NC, including Guitar Gabriel, Willa Mae Buckner, Preston Fulp, Mr. Q and Macavine Hayes. When these artists were asked how Music Maker could help them, they didn’t ask for money — they wanted a gig.
Through efforts to secure bookings, record their music and promote their careers, the artists were soon performing on national stages at Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center and at first-rate European festivals. And when a hometown artist returns from playing a prestigious venue like the Apollo Theater, people take notice. Articles often appear in the local paper, people in their communities develop interest in their newfound “hometown celebrity” and develop renewed pride in their musical heritage. Thus the work not only lifts the spirits of the individual artists, but of their local communities as well.
Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, a celebrated blues musician, has been playing music since she was eight years old. Working with the likes of Piano Red, James Brown, B.B. King and Ray Charles, Watkins has continued marching to the beat of her own drum (or the downstroke of her own guitar) throughout her 70-plus years. When the blues scene faded out in the ‘80’s she paid her dues in the Atlanta Underground; returning back upstairs with Music Maker after bluesman Danny ‘Mudcat’ Dudeck told tales of a woman playing the Underground who could toss a guitar behind her back and keep right on playing, setting the festival circuit on fire during the blues revival.
Over the next 6 months, the Mars Theatre will present Music Maker artists Robert Lee Coleman, Drink Small, Major Handy, Ironing Board Sam and Cool John Ferguson in addition to Beverly “Guitar” Watkins. These musicians are rooted in the Southern musical traditions of blues, gospel, string band and Zydeco. The blues is a spirit that will never die. Thus the mission to promote and preserve traditional American roots music has just begun.
For tickets and more information please visit www.marstheatre.com
ABOUT THE MARS THEATRE
The Mars Theatre is a community supported entertainment hub, offering a variety of events for adults and families throughout the Coastal region. A historic landmark-turned-high-tech venue, the Mars boasts a unique blend of music, film, and performing arts. Originally founded in 1945, the Mars Theatre reopened in 2014, with support from the City of Springfield and the Springfield Revitalization Corporation, after 57 years of disuse. Visit www.marstheatre.com for more information.
ABOUT THE MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION
The Music Maker Relief Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it, ensuring their voices will not be silenced by poverty and time. Music Maker will give future generations access to their heritage through documentation and performance programs that build knowledge and appreciation of America’s musical traditions.
Since our founding in 1994, we have assisted and 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.
Visit www.musicmaker.org for more information.
