News Flash

Grab a seat on our virtual front porch to share an hour with the two local members of the acclaimed M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio, Jackie Merritt and Resa Gibbs. Renowned as the premier purveyors of Piedmont Blues tradition, they are adept musicians and songwriters. These engaging performers have been known to raise the roof with old-fashioned house party tunes, make you laugh with their witty originals, and then make you weep with blues ballads!

After the event airs live, it can be found under the museum’s Facebook Videos tab, and later the video will be added to the museum’s YouTube playlist.

Jackie & Resa
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).

M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio
2020 - Hampton Roads Veer Magazine “Lifetime Achievement” Award
2020 – Living Blues Magazine #267 “Breaking Out” (July/August) by Frank Matheis