2025 Guitars for Girls:
Nomination Period Now Closed.
Thank you to everyone who nominated a girl for a chance to receive a guitar.
Encouraging musicianship,
band leadership, and songwriting in our next generation of girls.
Serving Frederick, MD, and all of the 13 states that make up Greater Appalachia.
Thank you to Bluegrass Today for the story about Guitars for Girls
Thank you to The Frederick News-Post for the cover story in 72 Hours about Guitars for Girls
Red-Winged Blackbird Records is a grassroots music and arts organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of American roots music while empowering new voices within the genre.
Our cornerstone initiative, Guitars for Girls, is entirely volunteer-run and seeks to equip young girls with the tools, confidence, and community to tell their stories through music by getting guitars in the hands of girls at no cost to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No.
I pay taxes on every dollar donated to Guitars for Girls.
Unlike a nonprofit, which typically allocates a portion of donations to cover staff salaries, Guitars for Girls is 100% volunteer-run. I don’t take a paycheck—in fact, I personally absorb costs to make this happen.
All proceeds go toward the Guitars for Girls program, including the purchase, setup, and shipping of instruments, and related program expenses. Red-Winged Blackbird Records is not a registered nonprofit organization; donations are not tax-deductible.
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Yes, and thank you so much for your support!
You can donate directly through the link below and simply select “Guitars for Girls” from the dropdown menu:https://www.paypal.com/donate/...
Just like with my “I Believe in Appalachia” Hurricane Helene relief fundraiser, I’ll be sharing a financial breakdown after the fact—so you know where your money went and how it helped. Transparency is important to me.
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We’ve given out our very first guitar to an incredible young girl named Andy.
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While I so appreciate the generosity, I’m currently not able to accept guitar donations directly. I don’t have the space to store them or the resources to coordinate repairs and deliveries. Many of the guitars offered also need some TLC, and I simply don’t have the capacity to manage those logistics while juggling my gig schedule and day-to-day work.
For now, the best way to support is by contributing financially. This allows me to purchase new or fully functional instruments and ship them directly to the girls who need them—no storage, repairs, or delays needed.
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That’s the dream!
Eventually, I’d love to build a “Connections” page on the website. It would work like a bulletin board—where people can list guitars they’re willing to donate, and families can reach out directly to coordinate pickup.
That way, I don’t have to be the middleperson for every connection, and more girls can get matched with instruments faster.
About the Selection Process:
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- Girls aged 8-17 who live in Frederick, MD, and Greater Appalachia who show an interest in learning the acoustic guitar.
- Priority is given to girls who demonstrate a passion for American roots music or show an eagerness to use music as a way of telling their own stories.
- Financial need can be an additional consideration, but it is not a strict requirement.
Recipients are selected at the sole discretion of Red-Winged Blackbird Records and its volunteer committee. Submission of a nomination does not guarantee selection. No purchase or payment is necessary to apply.
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- Who Can Nominate:
Parents, teachers, mentors, music instructors, or the girls themselves can submit a nomination.- Nomination Form:
A simple online form will be available on our website that asks for:- Basic information (name, age, location).
- A short essay or video explaining why the nominee is passionate about music, what guitar means to her, and how having a guitar would help her achieve her goals.
- An optional section explaining financial need.
- A reference from a teacher, mentor, or community member who can vouch for the girl's dedication to music.
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The recipients shall be chosen by a small but diverse committee to ensure fairness and inclusivity. Each year we shall form a group that includes:
- Musicians: Female musicians who can inspire and offer guidance. They can assess the passion and potential of each nominee.
- Educators or Music Instructors: Teachers who understand the learning potential and dedication of the applicants.
- Community Leaders: Individuals involved in youth programs or community-building, who can help identify candidates from underprivileged backgrounds.
- Red-Winged Blackbird Records Staff or Volunteers: A representative who can help manage the process and bring the vision of Guitars for Girls to life.
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To ensure a balanced selection, we use the following criteria:
1. Passion and Dedication: Does the nominee show enthusiasm for learning the guitar and using music as a form of self-expression?
2. Commitment to Music: Has the nominee demonstrated a strong desire to engage with music, even if they don’t yet have the tools?
3. Financial Need (Optional): For nominees from underprivileged backgrounds, financial barriers can weigh more heavily in the decision.
4. Storytelling Ability: Does the nominee want to use music to tell their story or preserve musical traditions? A key mission of Red-Winged Blackbird Records is passing on American roots music, so this factor should be considered.
5. Potential for Growth: Is this guitar likely to help the girl develop musically and personally?
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1. Review: Committee members review all nominations independently. Each nominee is scored based on a rubric that aligns with the criteria above.
2. Discussion: The committee meets to discuss the top-scoring nominees. Members present their cases for their top choices, considering all aspects of the nominations.
3. Selection: The final decision should be made by majority vote or consensus. In the event of a tie, we shall add a secondary review of the essays/videos.
4. Announcement: Once a recipient has been selected, a personal notification shall be made, followed by a public announcement through social media, email newsletters, and the website.
Our sponsors:
The Blackest Crow Studio
Logo, website design + graphics
Eat Local Frederick
Sponsored in part by Guitar Center of Hagerstown; Katie Powderly; The Blackest Crow Studio; Eat Local Frederick; The Unconditional Lovers; The Common Market Co-op; Mentzner & Houpt; Willy St. Co-op; The Fly Birds; Classic Electric Tattoo & Body Piercing; Beckley’s RVs; Olde Mother Brewing Co.; Top Shelf Trinkets; and private anonymous donors.
Red-Winged Blackbird Records gratefully acknowledges the support of these sponsors. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement, and all trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
