On June 19, 2021 Jackie Merritt and Resa Gibbs (two-thirds of MSG Acoustic Blues Trio) closed their Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival set with an Ola Belle Reed cover. "Tear Down the Fences," which they closed with a verse of the classic civil rights ode "Oh Freedom," was written by the bluegrass icon and songwriter to speak to the need for an intersectional, cross-generational, and multi-ethnic coalition to fight injustice and seek equal rights, workers' rights, and liberty for all. After our month of Porch Pride festivities and roots music celebrating LGBTQ+ folks, we're taking these songs and their messages with us into the future as we continue the work of Bluegrass Pride – uplifting marginalized folks and queer folks in bluegrass, old-time, country, and beyond! Find out more about Jackie & Resa and their music on their website: https://www.acousticbluesmsg.com/ You can support Bluegrass Pride by donating! Visit https://bluegrasspride.net/donate to give. Watch and explore more music from #PorchPride here: https://bluegrasspride.net/porchpride You can become a member of Bluegrass Pride at https://bluegrasspride.net/membership Thank you to our presenting sponsors for Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival, Elderly Instruments and Ear Trumpet Labs. Thanks also to our non-profit partner, Decolonizing the Music Room. Find out more about DTMR here: https://decolonizingthemusicroom.com/

Jackie & Resa with a little help from Our Friends. Roddy Barnes, Jeff Covert & Miles Spicer.

Grab a seat on our virtual front porch to share an hour of original music with Jackie Merritt and Resa Gibbs! Jackie & Resa, known by some as two-thirds of M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio, have over the years developed their own unique sound. Jackie the songwriter and Resa the arranger, together they bring a distinctive blend of creativity to the acoustic blues community. In 2010, Jackie and Resa were accepted into the Library of Congress "Americana Women: Roots Musicians - Women's Tales and Tunes" as part of the MusicBox Project collection (some of which has been catalogued in the American Folklife Center). Jackie Merritt - an accomplished award winning visual artist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2016 an original song was featured on Blues Harp Women, the first internationally released recording of women blues harmonica musicians, produced by Ruff Records, Germany. Locally, in Hampton Roads, Jackie has received the City Council Spotlight Award for Artist & Musician and an Alli Award in 2010. Resa Gibbs - lead vocalist and percussionist known for her warm, soulful and heartfelt sound. A sought after vocal instructor, she feels honored by the opportunity to have instructed/lead vocal repertoire and performance classes at Augusta Heritage Center's Blues Week (Elkins, WV) in 2016/2017/2018 as well as workshops focusing on field hollers, work songs, and spirituals in 2019 at Augusta and at WUMB Blues Music Camp in MA. She has also instructed Blues Singing during Country Blues Week at Centrum (Port Townsend, WA). Hampton History Museum Facebook Live October 21, 2020 Hampton History Museum 120 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton, VA 23669 757-727-1102 www.hamptonhistorymuseum.org

The 2020 VEER Music Awards on Feb. 11, 2020 at the Vanguard Brewery in Hampton, VA.

Jackie and Resa "Tear Down the Fences" was written by Ola Belle Reed in 1970.

I had the pleasure of playing a tune with Giri & Uma Sat. at the Blackberry Jam Music Festival. These siblings are truly amazing musicians and beautiful people... the future is bright!

Jackie Merritt & Resa Gibbs performing Money Makes You Crazy at the Augusta Heritage Blues, Swing and Old Time week, July 2018

Jackie played BONES, not spoons. Sorry for the error.

MSG Acoustic Blues Trio (from left to right: Jackie Merritt, Miles Spicer, Resa Gibbs) performing "Isabel" their greatly entertaining song about mean church people" at the 2010 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival in Bristol, TN. For this performance they are on The Paramount Stage. The song is an original by Jacqueline Merritt and Resa Gibbs. Al Rights Reserved. Jackie and Resa are both featured artists in MusicBox Project's upcoming film documentary "AMERICANA WOMEN; Roots Musicians - Women's Tales And Tunes.