MA
A member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's Vineyard, performing songwriter Thea Hopkins calls her music Red Roots Americana. The Washington Post has described her as a "standout writer".
Her program "In The Roundhouse: A Celebration of Traditional And Contemporary Indigenous Music" presents the scope and reach of what Indigenous musicians are doing in the 21st century. It features modern music created by members of Indigenous tribes, along with a sprinkling of traditional, timeless tribal artistry. Accessible, intriguing and entertaining the program will expand an audiences awareness of Indigenous music. Currently booking for 2023- 2025.
Thea was an official showcase artist at the International Indigenous Music Summit in Toronto (CA) in June 2023.
Newport Festivals Foundations awarded her an artist grant in January 2023 in support of her new album, scheduled to be released in January 2024.
In May 2021, Thea was selected by Folk Alliance International for Global Music Match, an internationally artist led multi-month collaborative effort, as part of the USA team.
In March 2021, it was announced that Thea was the Grand Prize Winner of the 22nd Great American Song Contest for her song, "The Ghost Of Emmett Till". The song was selected from over 1900 entries from 42 countries.
Her EP "Love Come Down," was nominated for a 2019 Indigenous Music Award in the folk category, an international competition. In June 2019, Thea, a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe of Martha's Vineyard, MA, was selected by the Western Arts Alliance as a 2019 Native Launchpad Artist, a three-year artist development program.
Venues where Thea has performed include the Kennedy Center (DC), TD Music Hall/Massey Hall (CA), Banff Centre For The Arts (CA), the Atkinson (UK), and the Bluebird Cafe (TN).
Thea first came to wider public notice when Peter, Paul & Mary recorded her song "Jesus Is On The Wire" in 2004, and then again in 2010 with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. It is considered one of their later signature songs.
In addition to Aquinnah Wampanoag, Hopkins ' ancestry includes Nottoway (Iroquois), African-American, Irish and Portuguese. In other words, Red Roots Americana.
Thea is available as a solo artist, as well as duo with bass. For information on her program, "In The Roundhouse: Contemporary Native American Music", please contact Daniel Gewertz email redrootsamericana@gmail.com.
Institution/Business Type:
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2004
Institution/Business Type:
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2004
Primary Discipline:
Music - FolkAdditional Disciplines:
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Tribal Status:
Federally RecognizedTribe Name:
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's VineyardTribal Status:
Federally RecognizedTribe Name:
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's VineyardTechnical Requirements:
Fee Range:
$500 - $5,000State of Residence:
MassachusettsMinimum Number of Performers:
1Maximum Number of Performers:
5