Behind the Music: Meet Music Maker Foundation Artists at Blues & Brews

Step inside the stories, sounds, and soul of American roots music. At this year’s Blues & Brews Festival, we’re proud to welcome back the Music Maker Foundation (MMF) — a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the traditions of Southern music and supporting the artists who keep it alive. From intimate artist meet & greets to interactive exhibitions, MMF brings a living legacy of music history to Telluride.


Artist Meet and Greets

Located at the Blues Stage

Friday, September 12, 2025

  • 5:00 - 5:30 PM - Leonard “Lowdown” Brown

    • A Texas legend with a deep, soulful voice, Brown delivers raw and powerful blues shaped by decades in juke joints and dancehalls.

  • 6:30 - 7:00 PM - Earl “Guitar” Williams

    • Known for his electrifying guitar riffs and larger-than-life stage presence, Williams brings a lifetime of blues tradition straight from Mississippi’s heartland.

Saturday, September 13, 2025

  • 3:30 - 4:00 PM - Michael Boone

    • With roots in gospel and blues, Boone’s music is a spiritual journey — honest, heartfelt, and steeped in Southern storytelling.

  • 6:30 - 7:00 PM - Leonard “Lowdown” Brown

Sunday, September 14, 2025

  • 12:30 - 1:00 PM - Michael Boone

  • 3:30 - 4:00 PM - Earl “Guitar” Williams

  • 6:30 - 7:00 PM - Trenton Ayers

    • A modern blues torchbearer with a gritty, soulful guitar style, Ayers carries the Delta tradition forward while infusing it with fresh energy and innovation.

Meet the artists, hear their stories, snap a photo, and take home a memory that connects you to the roots of the blues.


The MMF Lounge & Exhibition

Located at the Blues Stage

The MMF Lounge is your backstage pass into American music history. Step inside to:

  • Explore rare photographs and art

  • Spin records at the vinyl listening station

  • Capture the moment in the festival photo booth

  • Connect with artists through meet & greets

  • Learn through music history and educational programming

This cozy space is more than a lounge — it’s a living archive of American roots culture.


Get Involved

You can help preserve America’s most authentic music traditions. Support MMF by visiting the lounge, making a tax-deductible donation, or purchasing from their online shop. Every contribution helps keep these stories and songs alive for future generations.

Steve Gumble