Sustaining Roots Music is modeled after the incredible work of Tim and Denise Duffy and their organization, Music Maker Relief Foundation, which is celebrating its 30 year anniversary in 2024. MMRF supports aging roots musicians by organizing concerts and tours, aiding with the recording process, and providing financial support to artists who don’t have the means to perform or record anymore. MMRF recently began their work of creating a new recording studio in Fountain, North Carolina in an effort to revive the town and maintain a close proximity to a well known local artist, Freeman Vines. He and other legendary artists like Albert White, Jimbo Mathus, and more are featured in the pictures as well as mentioned within our audio recordings. In the photography and videography shown below, we aimed to archive the beginnings of MMRF’s new project and capture the essence of their dedication and accomplishment over the years. We hope you enjoy the attached oral responses by student leaders Sarah Zhang and Faith Obaigena, with assistance from our advisor and founder Charles Montague.

Dear Tim and Denise Duffy,
On behalf of all of us with Sustaining Roots Music, we would like to say thank you. The generosity you both demonstrated through opening your doors today to a couple of curious high school students was tremendous. All three of us were smiling ear to ear listening to the live recording session by that talented group of background singers and the producing team. You both were so accommodating and kind to us, a group of strangers, which says so much about your personalities and righteous work.
While we were driving back from Fountain to our school near downtown Raleigh, Mr. Montague asked the three of us to say a little bit about our favorite parts of the trip. Naturally, the recording session was gushed over for a few good minutes. It was simply a spectacular sight to see these singers bring new life into those songs which had such a beautiful classic roots rhythm. But we were also recalling the smaller things, like the moment shared in the kitchen at the back. We asked questions and y’all truly delivered. That moment felt sacred in many ways; it was honest and open, powerful yet lighthearted. We remembered seeing Freeman Vines’ hand carved guitars hung up in the entrance to the recording studio in awe of the jaw-dropping resonance and numerous guitars in his collection. We also recalled enjoying the short period of time we saw Freeman Vines’ studio next door. Jimbo Mathus said that Freeman’s clutter represented an artist at work and his authentic personality, and we think so too.
Another thing we did to try and hold on to our memories of those two short hours was write down things we learned in our notes. We learned about Freeman Vines as a contemporary artist and philosopher, about his honorable tradition of carving wood to create guitars from scratch in his own creative process in the lifelong search for one singular dream-like sound. We learned about his ancestors and their longtime roots in the area, passing down their cultural music through generations. There were also teachings of authentic history in the town’s remembrance of the lynching that occurred in 1930. Thank you both for starting the conversation in Fountain on that difficult subject matter. We had the privilege to meet several roots musicians like Fred Thomas, Jimbo Mathus, and Albert White. We were also taught about legends like James Brown and Lonnie Holley. With all these new names and faces, we look forward to all the listening we’ll be doing his summer!
SOOTS hopes to keep in touch with you both as our longtime friends. We thank you again for your righteous work in this community and your willingness to share it with us.
Sincerely,
Sarah, Mia, & Faith