American Music Abroad wants bluegrass!

How much does the US State Department’s American Music Abroad initiative want to include bluegrass as a part of its 2012 overseas musical offerings?

Enough to warrant a special contact to Bluegrass Today in hopes of reaching bands and ensembles interested in month-long, multi-country tours bringing American music to citizens of far flung lands.

A dozen or so acts will be chosen to represent American musical culture as part of this diplomatic overture, with applications accepted through January 16, 2012. Groups of 3-5 musicians will be considered, with all members at least 21 years of age.

John Ferguson, Executive Director of the Association of American Voices, mentioned that they are actively seeking bluegrass acts for the program.

“The American Music Abroad program is interested in showcasing a wide variety of American roots music. Bluegrass music represents a central component of the American musical landscape that the American Music Abroad program seeks to highlight.”

The process is simple: just submit by email, with links to representative audio and video files online.

If you want to take your band to see the world, get your application in before the 16th. Find all the details at www.americanvoices.org/ama.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.