Mission
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Founder, Willie Dixon, established Blues Heaven Foundation not only to assist in documentation and promotion of the Blues, but to also support Blues artists and the business of music. A legendary songwriter himself, Willie Dixon has long been an advocate of education.
Willie Dixon’s musical and educational legacy began in 1970 with the world’s first Blues In The Schools clinic at Amos Alonzo Stagg School on Chicago’s south side. Since 1984, Blues Heaven has sponsored nationally prominent Blues artist participants to conduct remote site Blues Clinics, resulting in more than 16,000 instrument donations to elementary and secondary school children. The program is co-sponsored by Hohner, Inc.
Honoring a promise to her late husband, Marie Dixon, Willie’s widow, purchased the landmark Chess 
Records Studio at 2120 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and donated the site to serve as the national headquarters for Blues Heaven Foundation. After extensive renovations, the site officially opened on September 16, 1997 with over 150 Blues artists and advocates in attendance. The foundation is developing on-going Blues Clinics as part of the on-site annual program agenda and an endorsement program for Blues Musicians. Shirli Dixon Nelson, former executive director of Blues Heaven, had made a promise to her father to continue his dream, which she did with a passion until her tragic death on August 8, 2003 when she was 40 years of age. Shirli was loved by everyone who knew her.
Muddy Waters was the foundation’s first honorary board member and an innovator in the Blues field, establishing grounds for the Muddy Waters Scholarship given by Blues Heaven.
