Deep Roots, a local live music initiative featuring area roots music artists and bands, will be hosting auditions in search of performers to expand their artist roster in preparation for live music opportunities to be scheduled this spring and summer. Auditions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 19th and 20th from 3:00-6:00 pm at the Delta Arts Alliance’s Historic Ellis Theater at 104 S. Court St. in Cleveland.
The Deep Roots team is looking for performers whose music falls into one of the following genres of roots music: blues, folk, Gospel, country, cajun, R&B/soul, bluegrass, jazz, and singer/songwriter. Audition participants must be at least 16 years of age and have one up tempo and one slower song prepared to perform live during the participant’s scheduled audition time.
To audition and book a time slot, performers are directed to complete the sign up form on the Deep Roots Facebook page at www.facebook.com/deltadeeproots and submit online. Interested performers may also sign up in person at the venue the day of the auditions. For specific questions about the audition process, email libbyswitzermusic@gmail.com.
With the mission of building community through the development and promotion of local roots music and musicians, the Deep Roots Music Project has presented eight roster artists and multiple opening act performers in over 35 Deep Roots: Live Downtown! shows in Cleveland and in 30+ online videos during their first year of operations. Plans are now in the works to expand the number of live music shows offered to residents and tourists in the coming months in order to continue to build Cleveland’s identity as a music destination.
“Cleveland is in the heart of the Americana Music Triangle, and with GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi and the DMI Entertainment Industry program at Delta State both within our city limits, we want Cleveland to continue to develop as a roots music town,” remarked Tricia Walker, Cleveland’s Music Ambassador and manager of the Deep Roots project. “Expanding our artist roster will provide more opportunities for local musicians to work and entertain our residents and visitors to Cleveland.”