🐦⬛ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Red-Winged Blackbird Records Opens Nominations for “Guitars for Girls” 2025
Preserving the legacy of American roots music by placing its future in the hands of young women through the gift of free guitars
Frederick, MD, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 — Red-Winged Blackbird Records is overjoyed to announce that nominations are officially open for the 2025 Guitars for Girls initiative, a program devoted to empowering girls aged 8 to 17 across Frederick, Maryland, and the 13 states of Greater Appalachia through the gift of free acoustic guitars and accessory kits.
🐦⬛ Do you know a girl with a heart for music, someone who might not quite fit into band or orchestra at school, but lights up when she sings or strums? Or maybe she’s homeschooled? Now is the time to nominate her, or yourself, for the opportunity to receive a guitar through this life-changing program.
This opportunity is open to girls residing in the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 13-state region: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Preserving American Roots Music
The mission of Red-Winged Blackbird Records is to preserve and protect the living traditions of American roots music, including bluegrass, folk, country, Americana, and Appalachian styles, while empowering the next generation of girls to continue these lineages through their own original songs.
“These genres tell the story of America,” said founder Katie Powderly, musician and Executive Director of Red-Winged Blackbird Records. “They originated through the blending of Scots-Irish and English ballad traditions, Continental European folk influences, and West African musical traditions brought by enslaved Africans. Together, these roots gave rise to a distinct sound that began in Appalachia and spread throughout the world.”
These traditions are seldom taught in schools, passed instead by ear and by heart, through storytelling, oral tradition, and the songs shared around campfires, in living rooms, and on front porches.
Music as Living History
At the heart of Guitars for Girls is the belief that songwriting is a form of historical documentation, a way to record our lived experiences, honor those who came before us, and, in Powderly’s words, “leave ‘something dear behind’ for when we’re gone.” (That’s a reference to the song “There Ain’t No Ash Will Burn, by the way.)
“This is about more than just giving away guitars,” said Powderly. “It’s about preserving a living tradition and investing in the next generation of songwriters by making sure they have the tools to carry it forward. I’ve been on the receiving end of that kind of investment, and it does something powerful to a person’s self-esteem. It makes you take your gifts more seriously because someone else sees something special inside you.”
The program also acknowledges the economic barriers that often prevent talented young musicians from being heard.
“We believe every hardworking voice deserves a chance, not just those with access to money, connections, or privilege,” Powderly said. “Through Guitars for Girls, we remove barriers to entry, uplift unheard voices, and give young women the tools to tell their stories at no cost to them or their families.”
Nomination Details
✨ Priority will be given to nominees who demonstrate an understanding of the program’s mission and a desire to carry forward the traditions of storytelling, songwriting, and American roots music.
📅 Nominations close on November 15, 2025, or once 100 nominations have been received, whichever comes first.
👉 Nominate yourself or a girl in your life today:
https://tinyurl.com/guitarsforgirls2025
Because the next generation of Appalachian storytellers deserves to be heard. ⛰️🌿🪺🪶
About Red-Winged Blackbird Records
Red-Winged Blackbird Records is a grassroots, independent, and mission-driven music and arts organization founded by award-winning musician and designer Katie Powderly. It is dedicated to preserving the legacy of American roots music while empowering new voices within the genre. Its 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.
Serving Frederick, Maryland, and greater Appalachia, Red-Winged Blackbird Records also fosters community through education, live events, and legacy-building initiatives. In an era of increasing division, the organization uses music as common ground - uniting Americans across backgrounds, lifestyles, and beliefs through shared songs and stories. Its additional projects, including hosting songwriter showcases and the annual Lifetime Impact Awards, celebrate both the cultural heritage and the future of Appalachian and American roots music.
Media Contact:
Katie Powderly
Executive Director, Red-Winged Blackbird Records
📧 hello@katiepowderly.com
🌐 www.redwingedblackbirdrecords.com