The Hummingbird Music Project

After visiting the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico and spending 10 days with the Purepecha Indians, I was struck by how similar the indigenous communities were to the coal towns of Southern Appalachia. Both communities are struggling with economic hardship as they try to reinvent themselves in the new economy of the 21st century. The social fabric is so strong in both communities that, together, the residents work to the future with a sense of optimism and determination

. Most folks know each other either by marriage or blood and family histories stretch back generations. They help their neighbors when they can and are tied to the land they have lived on for centuries. The church is big influence in the community and acts as the social center. The thread that binds the fabric of both communities so tightly is the love of traditional music. The "orchestras" of Mexico even look like bluegrass bands. All feature at least a guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bass. The Hummingbird Music Program is dedicated to exploring these similarities and capturing the introduction of Appalachian Music to the Purepecha. Three American old time and bluegrass bands will be performing with local orchestras at the grand finale at the 500 year monestery in Tzintzantzun as well as doing full shows in the towns around the lake during the week leading up to the finale. The entire week is to be recorderd for release as a documentary and an album later. So far we have secured sponsorships for housing and hospitality for the bands and crew. Everyone is donating their time and energy to this project. We are now left with the last and hardest part which is raising the money for airfare which is averaging around $800 per person. If everyone who views this gives only $10 each it will take less than 2000 people to make it real. Then we can avoid a big name sponsor and keep this a grassroots effort.