06/07/2026
Today would have been the final day of HollerGirl Music Festival.
For the past four years, this weekend has represented months of hard work, determination, and a belief that women in Appalachia deserve to be seen, heard, and supported. Building HollerGirl has often felt like swimming upstream, but together we created something powerful. We built a community. We created a space where friendships were formed, musicians connected from across the region and beyond, and survivors found support and understanding.
This weekend carries a sting in my heart, and I know many of you feel it too.
But what HollerGirl started was always bigger than a festival.
As a survivor, I know how important this work is. We know how important it is. The conversations, the connections, the support, and the opportunities created through HollerGirl have never been confined to one weekend a year.
To our team, volunteers, artists, supporters, and everyone who believed in this vision—thank you. Your dedication helped create something that changed lives, including mine.
We wish every local festival a successful season and hope to see many of you out supporting live music, building community, and celebrating the incredible talent that exists throughout Appalachia. We also hope to see more women represented on festival lineups—not only at our amazing local festivals, but at the larger festivals that continue to receive support, resources, and success. There is no shortage of talented women creating extraordinary music, and we hope to see more stages reflect that reality in the years ahead.
While this chapter looks different, our mission remains the same. We will continue advocating for women’s rights, empowerment, domestic violence awareness, prevention, and opportunities for women in music. In fact, we intend to grow that mission into something even more impactful—with a vision centered on education, prevention, and creating lasting change for future generations.
We are not finished.
We are evolving.
The work continues, and together we will carry it farther than ever before.
As a survivor, this work matters deeply to me. I know it matters. We know it matters. And while this weekend may feel different, our commitment to the women and girls of Appalachia has never been stronger.
With love and gratitude,
HollerGirl
