MusicAlex RawlsLouisiana Office of Tourism, Louisiana Soundtrack Experience, Lt--Gov- Jay Dardenne, Music AmbassadorComment

The State to Pay Musicians to Show Their Passion

MusicAlex RawlsLouisiana Office of Tourism, Louisiana Soundtrack Experience, Lt--Gov- Jay Dardenne, Music AmbassadorComment
The State to Pay Musicians to Show Their Passion
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The Louisiana Office of Tourism is launching its Music Ambassador Program.

Last weekend, Lt.-Governor Jay Dardenne officially launched to Louisiana Office of Tourism's Year of Music with first Louisiana Soundtrack Experience event in Shreveport. This Saturday, it continues in Natchitoches, where Goldman Thibodeaux and the Katrice LaCour Trio will perform, but the office recently announced another initiative - The Music Ambassador Program.

The program rewards musicians who appear at out-of-state music festivals and promote Louisiana by "nviting attendees to visit Louisiana for a great experience including music, food, culture, etc.," displaying the removable state decal on the bass drum, or throwing state promotional items including bandanas and guitar picks from the stage. These promotional items with the "Pick Your Passion" logo will be provided by the Office of Tourism.

The state is not getting behind specific genres or artists for this initiative. Instead, it's targeting festivals, and the artist's stipend for each festival is based on its size and the size of its audience. Artists can be music ambassadors for more than one festival, so there is some potential for a reasonable payday.

To apply to be a music ambassador at an out-of-state festival this year, visit the Event Application page. Qualifying festivals must be outside of Louisiana, be at least three years old, and have a 2012 attendance of at least 10,000 people. Proof of performance will be a one-minute video from the audience's perspective that shows participation in the promotion that will be uploaded to an Office of Tourism site. 

(Full disclosure: I'm one of the organizers of the Louisiana Soundtrack Experience events on behalf of The Oxford American.)

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