Essie Mae's Got Some "Rain In Her Life"

Give the Gift of Music Maker During this season of giving, consider a gift to Music Maker in your loved one's name! When you donate to Music Maker, you ensure that our artists are warm, safe and comfortable this winter, and have performance opportunities that expose audiences worldwide to America's Roots music. We'll send your gift recipient a Holiday card letting them know of your gift, and a copy of our annual magazine so they can learn more about Music Maker's mission. This season, your Holiday shopping can bring hope and joy to many elderly artists. Donate today - you can make a one-time gift, a monthly gift, or a special holiday gift! Listen:  Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - Born on Christmas Day Remembering Boogie Photo by Gregg Roth The Back Forty Micro Brewery in Gadsden, AL is hosting a Re membering Jerry "Boogie" McCain get-together on December 8th from 6-8pm. Grover Brown, who wrote a book with Boogie, will be there for a book-signing, and the evening will also feature an open mic and casual conversation, remembering the late bluesman. The event location is 200 N. 6th Street in Gadsden. If you're in the area, we hope you'll be able to attend! Lil' Joe Photo of the Week by Kevin Dingman Keep up with Music Maker!        Support Music Maker, and help keep the music alive!  Essie Mae has some "Rain in Her Life" Essie Mae Brooks, a gospel singer from Perry, Georgia, has a voice that enchants anyone who hears her. Her album, "Rain in Your Life," is on constant rotation in Music Maker's offices. Essie traveled to play at the legendary Apollo Theater in NYC this year, but opportunities of that caliber for a gospel composer remain scarce. Still, whenever you talk to Essie Mae she has a smile in her voice and optimism in her heart.    But Essie needs our help. She is frugal and lives simply in a small home on a cotton farm in middle Georgia that she has owned for many years. Over time, the roof has disintegrated and she is now facing a critical home repair that she cannot possibly afford on her meager fixed income. If nothing is done soon, the damage to the home will progress and Essie Mae will find herself in a housing crisis and might be forced to leave the home she cherishes.     When Hurricane Sandy was hovering off the coast of North Carolina, Essie Mae called to check on us - she is always trying to take care of us from afar. We must try to do the same for her. Please make a gift today, and ensure artists like Essie Mae can live in safety and comfort this winter. Diggin: Beverly's "Born on Christmas Day" Photo by Jimmy Williams Nothing says the holidays like music. Sometimes that's a bad thing -- like when you're in Sears in September and the trees are up and the canned tunes are being belted out over the PA. Thankfully, there are some tunes that the commodification of Christmas can't make us sick of, and Beverly "Guitar" Watkins' "Born on Christmas Day" is one of those. Beverly called us up at the end of November to make sure we were listening to this song in our office. "Now, don't forget I got a Christmas song on my album," she said "You listen to that this season!" So, of course, we did! Straight off "The Spiritual Expressions of...," the song doesn't skimp on good old Christmas kitsch with the jingle bells, but Watkins puts her own attitude into the song and makes it a great addition to any holiday gathering playlist. -- Whitney  Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events  12/05 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint, Atlanta, GA 12/07 - Shelton Powe - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, NC 12/09 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - Blind Willie's, Atlanta, GA 12/14 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, NC 12/15 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - Northside Tavern, Atlanta, GA 12/27 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - Steve's Live Music, Sandy Springs, GA 12/31 - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins - Fatt Matt's Rib Shack, Atlanta, GA 12/31 - Cool John Ferguson - First Night, Raleigh, NC 1/04 - Boo Hanks - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, NC 1/13 - Ironing Board Sam - NC Museum of History, Raleigh, NC 2/01 - Ironing Board Sam - The Eddy Pub, Saxapahaw, 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.