Instilling the Passion and Heritage of Appalachian Music and Culture

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Bluegrass comes from a background rich in Appalachian culture. Bluegrass music illustrates a place of origin for many Americans. For others it serves as an important ingredient to the complex and diverse culture that makes up our society today. The music of Appalachia continues to be a part of the fabric of America. We need to encourage its growth and continuation for younger generations to come.

Bluegrass Music Trail Project (BMTP) was established to help impoverished youth receive free Appalachian music lessons and instruments. BMTP is operating under the Urban Appalachian Council who is acting as fiscal agent for the project.

To kick off the fundraising efforts for the project, BMTP's Project Leaders, Amos Hopkins and Katy Graves, will hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail.

Katy and Amos are raising funds and awareness through a "Hike-A-Thon" by embarking on a 6 month expedition as they hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. The trail extends through the Appalachian Mountain Range along the eastern coast of North America. It begins in Georgia, and continues all the way up to northern Maine. The trail is 2,175 miles long and takes about 6 months to complete. Hopkins and Graves will begin their expedition in mid May and return in mid November. You can track their expedition on the trail blog for trail updates and progress on the scholarship fund.

Hopkins says, "Many children wish to receive the gift of music but have no available resources to pursue their dreams. It has been proven that introducing music into a child's life has a strong impact in their development on a cognitive, physical, personal, and often a spiritual level. I want to be a part of that!"

People interested in donating to this cause can pledge a monetary amount per mile that Amos and Katy hike, or a set amount. To make a pledge, you may donate a flat amount online or you may fill out the printable Pledge Form and mail it to the Urban Appalachian Council. At the end of the Appalachian Trail expedition, UAC will confirm the total miles walked, providing documentation from the Appalachian Trail Conference (a non-profit that assists hikers and maintains the trail).