The Crooked Road announced a new program for heritage musicians that reside in the Southwest Virginia region.
The new Artist-In-Residence program gives local musicians a new way to become an ambassador for heritage music through participating in events and educational workshops. This new initiative will be a year-long commitment, with a financial stipend, for the selected artist. The artist would attend various events, participate in educational opportunities and be required to produce an original piece of music or new performance of an existing traditional piece of music for The Crooked Road use.
“The Crooked Road is excited to expand our programming to support local heritage musicians. We know that the past year has been challenging for performers and this new program will provide the opportunity to partner with a heritage musician to promote The Crooked Road as well as the music. This is one of several programming expansions that the organization is starting that will provide musicians visibility in the region’s communities,” said Larry Yates, president of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Musicians that specialize in a heritage music genre and live in the following counties and cities of the Southwest Virginia region are encouraged to apply: Bland, Bristol, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Galax, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Norton, Patrick, Pulaski, Radford, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, Wythe.
The application can be found on The Crooked Road’s website under “About Us-Jobs & RFPs.” Interested parties also may contact The Crooked Road office directly for a copy of the application.
Carrie Beck, executive director, said “Heritage music is the main focus of The Crooked Road, so any new program or project that directly supports the musicians of the region is positive. This will provide benefits to both the organization and to the selected Artist-In-Residence.”
The Crooked Road, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, is a 330 mile driving trail through the mountains of Southwest Virginia that connects nine major venues and more than 60 affiliates that visitors can enjoy every day of the year. For more information, visit www.thecrookedroad.org, email info@thecrookedroad.org or call (276) 492-2400, ext. 2409.
