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StoryCorps' mission is to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of their lives. The StoryCorps Mobile Booth is in Durham April 17 - May 16. StoryCorps interviews are heard Fridays during Morning Edition.

Captain Luke Mayer, Music Maker Relief Foundation, Is StoryCorps' First Durham Interview

Musician Captain Luke (right) is 88-years-old. He talked with Music Maker Relief Foundation's Tim Duffy
StoryCorps

The StoryCorps Mobile Booth opens today. The first very first interview was between the musician Captain Luke Mayer, and Tim Duffy of the Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Captain Luke has a wonderful deep rich baritone. He came to music early in life. Music Maker has documented the story of his life and music:

Luther Mayer, known as “Captain Luke,” was born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1927. He grew up on his grandparents’ farm in nearby Clinton, where he followed the furrows barefoot behind the plow as his Uncle Jesse worked and sang to his mule. Luke’s ambition at the time was to learn to drive a mule. It was one he never achieved, but he soaked in the music of the countryside as Jesse played his harmonica on the evening porch... Early on he had developed a talent for imitation, and Luke began to sing the songs he heard on the radio, everything from the big band singers to hillbilly ballads. (“Back then I had eleventeen voices.”) Read the whole story.

Captain Luke connected with Music Maker in 1991. The organization has helped fund many of his needs, things like transportation and prescriptions. Tim Duffy knows Captain Luke well and was thrilled to kick off the Story Corps Durham 2014 event.

After the two recorded their interview, they sat outside the booth and performed.

Captain Luke Mayer (right) sings, with Tim Duffy on guitar.
Credit Carol Jackson
Captain Luke Mayer (right) sings, with Tim Duffy on guitar.

Find out more about the StoryCorps Mobile Recording Booth and how you can record an interview with someone you love (it's free!) while it's in town.

Carol Jackson has been with WUNC since 2006. As Digital News Editor, she writes stories for wunc.org, and helps reporters and hosts make digital versions of their radio stories. She is also responsible for sharing stories on social media. Previously, Carol spent eight years with WUNC's nationally syndicated show The Story with Dick Gordon, serving as Managing Editor and Interim Senior Producer.
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