Southwest Roots Music (SWRM), a nonprofit 501c3 organization, is dedicated to promoting traditional music through educational programs and live performances by local and internationally renowned artists, in the process helping to strengthen the arts economy. In addition to an annual schedule of up to 25 blues, folk, Cajun, zydeco, reggae, alt-country, world music and roots rock performances and educational programs, SWRM organizes the Thirsty Ear Festival, New Mexico's premier roots music event.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Southwest Roots Music, a nonprofit (501c3) organization. Your donation helps us fund great year-round performances, music festivals, educational programming, and free tickets for K-12 students and teachers. Your donation, regardless of the amount, makes a deep impact on the cultural life of New Mexico by keeping Southwest Roots Music programs alive and flourishing.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION ONLINE.
We have worked with hundreds of artists including Joan Baez, Toots & the Maytals, Taj Mahal, Bo Diddley, Doc Watson, Richard Thompson, Patty Griffin, Govt Mule, Dr. John, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Odetta, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Burning Spear, Iris DeMent, Greg Brown, Honeyboy Edwards, BeauSoleil, the Del McCoury Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, Rickie Lee Jones, The Be Good Tanyas, Dave Alvin, Peter Rowan, The Flatlanders, the Wailers, and hundreds of local artists.
HOW WE COLLABORATE: Working with other nonprofits has an exponential positive effect on our community, resulting in mutual support for good organizations, expansion of programming and more effective use of resources. It has been our pleasure to work with many nonprofits including Outside In, the Lensic Performing Arts Center, AMP Concerts, Outpost Productions, Bienvenidos Outreach (a food drive to feed NM's hungry), GiG Performance Space, Santa Fe Children's Museum, Children's Adventure Company, KSFR Public Radio, KUNM Public Radio, Southwest Stages, NM Solar Energy Association and many others. Southwest Roots Music is a member of the NM Presenters Alliance.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: We offer a variety of sponsor packages at all levels for community-minded individuals and companies. Hundreds of thousands of arts patrons will be exposed to and appreciate your business for supporting the arts. For a sponsor kit, please email thirstyearfest@gmail.com or call 505-670-0755.
K-12 PROGRAMMING: This program provides schools an opportunity to experience traditional music performances that may otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable. Your tax-deductible donation is used to purchase tickets to traditional music performances for students, their families, teachers, and school staff. Preference is given to schools with underserved populations. We often match the value of your donation with an equal number of tickets. K-12 funds also support children's programming at local schools, youth and community centers, nonprofits such as the Santa Fe Children's Museum, Children's Adventure Company, and at the Thirsty Ear Festival. Your contribution is fully tax deductible. Your generous contribution will be acknowledged with thanks from the stage, on our website, and on event press releases. Literally tens of thousands of dollars in free tickets have been donated since the program started in 2006. Please email thirstyearfest@gmail.com or call 505-670-0755 for more information on the program.
PROGRAM ADVERTISING: The Thirsty Ear Festival program reaches more than 5000 focused festival goers each summer. Please email thirstyearfest@gmail.com or call 505-670-0755 for rates and deadlines.
VOLUNTEERING: The Thirsty Ear Festival program reaches more than 5000 focused festival goers each summer. Please email thirstyearfest@gmail.com or call 505-670-0755 for rates and deadlines.
VENDING: SW Roots Music works with a limited number of vendors. Booth fees are waived for nonprofit educational organizations. For details, please call 505-670-0755 or email thirstyearfest@gmail.com.
ARTIST SUBMISSIONS: Due to the overwhelming number of submissions, participation in the Thirsty Ear Festival is by invite only. We cannot return unsolicited materials or guarantee a response to inquiries. That said, we've booked many wonderful artists in the early stages of their careers—Mary Gauthier and the Red Stick Ramblers come to mind—because they sent us a disc and we got turned on. So please feel free to send us a disc (no electronic kits or extensive promo, just a simple CD please) and we will give it a listen. Thanks for your understanding.
Southwest Roots Music
505-670-0755
email thirstyearfest@gmail.com
OK address: POB 52098, Tulsa, OK 74152
NM address: POB 29600, Santa Fe, NM 87592
Board of Directors
Catherine Whitney, president
Michael Koster, vp/treasurer
Beti Martinez, secretary
Rick Thaler
Dennis Derkacs
Kathy Smith
Advisory Board
Putnay Thomas
Canuto Delgado
John Strader
Southwest Roots Music
505-670-0755
thirstyearfest@aol.com
OK address: POB 52098, Tulsa, OK 74152
NM address: POB 29600, Santa Fe, NM 87592
© 2001 - 2011 SW Roots Music. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.