Guitars for Girls
Encouraging musicianship,
band leadership, and songwriting in our next generation of girls.
Serving Frederick, MD,
and Greater Appalachia.
Thank you to The Frederick News-Post for the cover story in 72 Hours about Guitars for Girls
Guitars for Girls, an initiative founded by Katie Powderly of Red-Winged Blackbird Records to encourage female-fronted bands and songwriting by getting guitars into the hands of young women in Frederick and greater Appalachia—regardless of financial background.
Last push before we shift gears!
If you feel moved to contribute before we close out this fundraising phase, you’ll find the donation link below. A heartfelt thanks to all who have already given so generously: you’re on my list (yes, like Santy Claus). 🎅🏼
Next, we’ll shift into the next chapter of Guitars for Girls: selecting this year’s recipient. I’ll be launching a nomination form soon where girls can either apply themselves or be nominated by someone else. When that’s live, I’d love your help spreading the word throughout Frederick and greater Appalachia. I’d much rather invest every dollar raised into guitars and accessories - not social media ads. Mark Zuckerberg doesn't need our Guitars for Girls money.
Thank you for being part of this. You’re helping create something truly meaningful.
What’s “Guitars for Girls?”
Above: The first Guitars for Girls Recipient
Guitars for Girls: Empowering the Next Generation of Female Musicians
At Red-Winged Blackbird Records, we believe in the power of music to shape lives, build communities, and preserve cultural traditions. Our Guitars for Girls initiative is dedicated to encouraging young girls to pick up a guitar and find their voice through music. Each year, we provide a free guitar to one deserving girl who shows an interest in learning and a passion for American roots music, helping to ensure that these rich musical traditions are passed on to the next generation.
The Taylor Swift Effect
Katie Powderly, founder of Red-Winged Blackbird Records, often speaks of "The Taylor Swift Effect"—a cultural shift where young girls can easily envision themselves as guitar players and bandleaders. Unlike when Katie was growing up, today’s young women can see themselves on stage, wielding a guitar and creating their own music.
“Growing up, I always gravitated toward boys in bands, but it took years before I had the epiphany that I could write my own songs, play guitar, and front a band myself,” Powderly said. Guitars for Girls is our way of making sure that the next generation of young women never have to wait to see themselves as musicians.
Creating Access and Opportunity
Music can be a transformative force, but not every young girl has access to the tools she needs to start her journey. Through Guitars for Girls, we aim to break down those barriers, offering a tangible start for young women to explore their musical dreams and add their voices to the rich tapestry of roots music. By providing a guitar, we’re not just giving an instrument, we’re giving inspiration, opportunity, and the chance to be part of something larger.
Get Involved
Your support can make a difference. Whether you’re an individual who wants to donate or a company interested in sponsoring a future recipient, join us in nurturing the next wave of female musicians. Let’s continue to build a legacy of music, culture, and community—one guitar at a time.
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.
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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.
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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.