| 80-year-old Book Hanks lives in a decrepit 1950s mobile home with no running
water on the side of a rural highway in Buffalo Junction, Virginia. He grew
up farming and to make ends meet he spent last summer driving a tractor in
the tobacco fields during a record heat wave. Boo does not complain, he will
tell you he likes to work and if not for his bad knee and worn out hands he
would work more. Earlier this year Music Maker recorded Boo for the first time in his life. Blues critics around the world have heralded this CD and all seem to agree that Boo is the purest and finest purveyor of Blind Boy Fuller Piedmont style blues alive. Boo was so excited about his new recording that he was selling the CDs we grant him in his neighborhood before we could even get the artwork printed. Soon after, Boo started playing local gigs, augmenting both his income and stature in his community. This December Boo recorded another CD of new songs with the help of his newfound friend Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Boo just sat down and performed 14 songs one after another, all of them perfectly and the record was made in less than two hours. Dom was awe-struck, knowing he just witnessed the work of a master. Boo just loves Dom, he is so proud that a young black musician loves his music and can play harp, jug and guitar behind him so well. It is wintertime and tractor work is done for the season. Dom and I encourage Boo to go ahead and get a passport so he can fly to France where Music Maker can arrange performances. Boo has never been on a plane and even after much consideration he's still not sure. He asks all kind of questions about the airport, who will travel with him, where he will stay, Boo does not want to be alone. We assure him that he should enjoy himself, see the world and we will stick right by his side. Boo now has a passport and we are pursuing gigs for him in Europe. Boo has decided to travel and will be flying for the first time on May 1st where he will be performing at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Boo lives in a very old trailer heated by a kerosene heater, a very dangerous way to live. Boo does not want to move into the housing projects. The farmer he works for has offered him a place to put a house trailer that already has electric and septic hook ups. Boo has found a good used trailer to move to this spot. The Jazz Foundation has committed a significant sum to procuring this trailer and moving it to the new lot. We are asking donors to help contribute to Music Maker so we can match their funds so Boo will have a safe place to live. Music Maker helps artists improve their lives and bring unheard music to the world through recordings and concerts. Your membership will help us carry on our mission of preserving music by preserving musicians. Be a Music Maker member and help us help Boo Hanks and many other artists in similar situations. Music Maker keeps the bluest of the blues alive! |
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