Henhouse Prowlers bring bluegrass to Sisters

Last updated 2/14/2023 at Noon

Henhouse Prowlers are literal Bluegrass ambassadors, playing internationally in cultural exchanges. PHOTO PROVIDED

The bluegrass outfit Henhouse Prowlers will hit the stage at The Belfry in Sisters on Saturday, February 25. The show is hosted by The Whippoorwill Presents. Erik Fossmo says, “The Whippoorwill strives to enrich Central Oregon’s culture and build community by creating intimate live music experiences for artists and attendees.”

Henhouse Prowlers have performed in 27 countries on four continents. They were the 2010 RockyGrass Band Competition winners; 2013 Mountain Song at Sea “Battle for the Boat” winners; IBMA Official Showcasing act in 2019; and have played many festivals.

The Henhouse Prowlers are Bluegrass ambassadors — literally. Founded over 17 years ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this quartet now finds itself at the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education. The Prowlers’ have traveled the globe, working with the U.S. State Department and under their own nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors — incorporating music from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and more into their already robust repertoire of unique traditional American music.

With over 175 shows a year, the quartet often performs in places traditional American music has never been. Tours in Siberia or the Middle East are not uncommon.

These global experiences have pushed the band in new directions musically, with songs from Africa and Asia on several albums, but they have also moved the group to start an educational outreach program for school children and festival-goers alike.

The Prowlers nonprofit uses traditional American music as an educational foundation to connect folk music and cultures all over the world. Having been to 11 countries in Africa alongside Russia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, these powerful direct experiences with distant peoples and musicians have shaped the band’s worldview and shifted the group’s direction toward bridging cultural gaps through music, educational programs, and workshops.