Ironing Board Sam's Jazzfest Surprise

Ironing Board Sam Returns to Jazzfest - with something special!

MM Staff Presents Sam with a Jazzfest Surprise! Tim and Corn, in their spare time, have been scouring the local craft stores, buying up all the rhinestones they could find, and working in secret on a special project. All so that Ironing Board Sam, when he plays at Jazzfest this weekend, could have a keyboard similar to one he played in the 1970s. As you can see in the video, this bedazzled instrument is mounted on an ironing board, and is held over Sam's shoulders with a special strap. The keyboard is battery powered, so Sam can take it anywhere! Even, as you know he likes to do, into the crowd. Ironing Board Sam Gets a New Keyboard If you're at Jazzfest this weekend, Sam will play on Saturday the 26th at 12:20pm in the Blues Tent - but if you don't know where that is, just follow the sparkle. The keyboard, combined with Sam's purple sequined suit, should make sure you find him wherever he is! Check out Tim's blog post on the keyboard-creation process!   Diggin': Berk's thoughts on "King Bee"  Berk, our dedicated Intern/Volunteer, wrote about Captain Luke's "I'm A King Bee," featuring Cool John Ferguson for this week's Diggin'. His vision of the song features a lazy bumble bee, and it's not too hard to hear why. Check out the track, Berk's Diggin', and a link to Tim and Captain Luke on NPR's StoryCorps here! Listener's Circle out this week! April's Listener's Circle is all about the Electric Blues - spring is really here and it's time to roll down those car windows (after the pollen goes away) and let people hear the awesome tracks on Listener's Circle #6! If you're not already in on this exclusive membership featuring limited release compilations every other month, read more about it here! Keep up with Music Maker's gigs Do you need to boogie woogie? Perhaps all night long? See who's playing in your area! You never know when a Music Maker artist will be rolling through your town. Check out the Tour Calendar.     Keep the Roots Alive. Donate today.

Roots Guitar Guru on NPR tomorrow!

Photo: Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage DAMON FOWLER ON NPR'S "MOUNTAIN STAGE" TOMORROW Roots Guitar Guru's Performance To Be Broadcast Friday A performance by Damon Fowler and his band will be broadcast on National Public Radio's "Mountain Stage" program tomorrow, Friday, April 25th.  Their live performance was recorded in February in Charleston, West Virginia, where the band played four songs from their new album, Sounds of Home, to a standing ovation. The radio show will be heard on over 130 stations around the country.   For a complete list of stations and broadcast times, please click HERE. The following week their set will be available for streaming at Mountain Stage's website and via mobile devices through the free NPR Music app. To watch the Damon Fowler Band performing the title track of the new CD in their home state of Florida, please click HERE. For more info, or to order the CD, please click HERE. To purchase digital downloads from "Sounds of Home"  please click here: iTunes.

Organist Extraordinaire John Ginty Launches "Bad News Travels" Tour, In Concert at 8X10 Club

ORGANIST EXTRAORDINAIRE JOHN GINTY,  FRESH OFF DIXIE CHICK'S 'LONG TIME GONE' TOUR LAUNCHES HIS "BAD NEWS TRAVELS" TOUR Headlining 8X10 Club in Baltimore - Friday, May 16     (BALTIMORE, MD) - Organist extraordinaire John Ginty launches his "Bad News Travels" Tour with a headlining performance at the 8X10 Club, 10 East Cross St., Friday, May 16. 9 p.m. Show. Tickets $12. (advance), $16. (door). Purchase advance tickets at http://www.missiontix.com/events/product/25058/john-ginty-band----cara-kelly-amp-the-tell-tale. Info: (410) 625-2000 or  http://www.the8x10.com/index_content.html.     Ginty's recent album release Bad New Travels (American Showplace Music) has received critical acclaim and has charted highly on Roots Music Report, among others. John has toured and recorded with artists such as Jewel, Citizen Cope, Santana, Dixie Chicks, Matthew Sweet, Court Yard Hounds, and Bad Religion, to name a few. The New Jersey native is an original member of Robert Randolph and the Family Band, for which he received two Grammy Nominations; as well as a Gospel Music Award for Urban Album of the year in 2003. That same year, Ginty appeared on the Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy Award winner Higher Ground. Over the years John has been a frequent guest, sitting in with the Allman Brothers at their yearly Beacon Theatre concert series. Ginty's discography spans over a decade and a half, and demonstrates his eclectic influences and unique sounds on the keys.     Ginty gives a Hammond B-3 lesson in the February 2014 issue of Keyboard Magazine: http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/5-ways-to-comp-on-a-hammond-b-3/154136.   "John Ginty is not only one of the premiere keyboard players of his generation, but he is raising the bar for players to come. With a set as strong as "Bad News Travels," he is definitely a player to watch!"                                 NASHVILLE BLUES SOCIETY     "Creating a seemingly effortless blend of blues, classic rock, funk, and soul, Ginty utilizes his past experience as well as numerous special guests. One minute Todd Wolfe is confidently weaving a guitar solo in the smooth "Peanut Butter" and the next minute, vocalist Alecia Chakour is strutting about on the soulful and spunky "Seven & The Spirit."                                        RELIX MAGAZINE    "After a few decades of playing the sideman, John Ginty has finally taken a leadership role with Bad News Travels and the spotlight suits him well. This CD is chock full of first-rate talent and fabulous blues-based music, and whether you are a fan of the organ or not it is definitely worth your time to give it a listen!"                                          BLUES BLAST John Ginty performing at a recent show. JOHN GINTY - UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS/RADIO INTERVIEWS ITINERARY May 16 (Sat.)                  8X10 CLUB                            Baltimore, MD May 21 (Wed.)               12TH & PORTER                              Nashville, TN May 22 (Thur.)              STEVE'S LIVE MUSIC               Atlanta, GA May 23 (Fri.)                 GOTTROCKS                          Greenville, SC May 24 (Sat.)                WNCW-FM INTERVIEW                 Pleasant Valley, NC May 24 (Sat.)                PAPAMOJOS ROADHOUSE       Durham, NC                                                          http://www.johngintymusic.com/                       https://www.facebook.com/john.ginty.16?fref=ts