artist bio
The Henhouse Prowlers are Bluegrass Ambassadors.
Founded nearly two decades ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this quartet now finds themselves at the intersection of performance, diplomacy and education.
Onstage, the group's enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. On record – including their latest offering, 2023’s Lead and Iron, released via Dark Shadow Recording – the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers’ music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a keenly developed sound all their own.
The Prowlers have now been to more than 25 countries across the globe, working with the U.S. State Department and under their own nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors, and incorporating music from Africa, Asia, the Middle East & more into their already robust repertoire of unique traditional American music.
On stage, in workshops and wherever they are, the Henhouse Prowlers find and spread the commonality we share as human beings through the universal language of music.
You can feel it at every show.
videos
Performing Sitya Loss in Uganda
Red River Valley with Afghani Rabab player in Pakistan
photos
[CLICK images TO DOWNLOAD high-res]
[download logos]
listen
contact
Booking:
Madison House
mike@madison-house.com
866.531.2172 ext 123
contact the band
festival workshops
Music fosters lifelong connections among people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. While performances connect artists and audiences in plenty of amazing ways, the two-way discussions and Q&A opportunities involved in the interactive workshop environment can offer valuable experiences for music fans and musicians to connect with one another on more personal levels. The Bluegrass Ambassadors can attest to this - and they seek out these connections by offering deep-dive workshops every chance they get.
BLUEGRASS AMBASSADORS WORKSHOPS
The Henhouse Prowlers have played music in more than 25 countries and that number goes up every year. Whether it’s touring Europe in clubs and at festivals or working with the U.S. State Department through cultural diplomacy programs, the band has found profound commonality with people from different cultures through music. From performing Qawwali music in Pakistan and West African hip-hop in Nigeria to traditional Tatar songs in Siberia and Bluegrass in America, every culture has ‘music of the folk’ that courses through the minds of its people. Through these interactions with musicians and music fans across the globe, an understanding that people have a whole lot more in common than music (despite our differences) becomes evident quickly.
This workshop is supplemented by a small PA to play the original versions of these songs, alongside the Prowlers interpretations. A television (or projector if the event is inside) also allows the band to share some of the many videos and photos from their adventures. The band typically performs 2-3 full international tunes as part of this interactive format, alongside discussion of translations, cultural and musical variances and more.
INDIVIDUAL INSTRUMENT WORKSHOPS
Each member of the band can give workshops on their respective instrument from beginner to advanced level instruction. While this kind of programming is common at more traditional bluegrass festivals, don't be surprised at how welcomed it is at more multi-genre and jam band festivals.
MUSIC BUSINESS WORKSHOP: HOW TO BUILD A BAND AND MAKE A LIVING PLAYING MUSIC
The Henhouse Prowlers have been a fully functioning and touring band for more than 14 years. While the industry continues to change on both a macro and micro level, getting started on the right foot has never been more important. This class covers everything from promotion and finances to tips on how to book, promote and get along on two month international tours. Being a lifelong musician has its challenges, but it's more possible than ever if you're well prepared for the realities of life on the road (and at home).
press & accolades
The musical prowess of this bluegrass band was unlike anything I’ve yet to encounter in the city of Chicago. It’s straight-laced, tight-knit, barn-burning bluegrass with enough vocal harmonization to make Del McCoury blush.
Sound Fuse
The Henhouse Prowlers were well received in Nigeria, introducing the many audiences to bluegrass music and providing a taste of American culture. They performed with local musicians in Abuja and Lagos, and self-taught themselves a top Nigerian hit at the time. At each performance, their bluegrass version electrified the audience and brought hundreds to their feet, including students and adults alike. As cultural ambassadors, they set new levels of interaction with local audiences and musicians.
Bill Strassberger, Cultural Affairs Officer, Abuja, Nigeria (2011-14)
This bluegrass band has the right formula: heavenly harmonies on top of furious fingerpicking, trucking down the highway at 200mph.
Time Out Chicago
How a Chicago Bluegrass Band Rocked Nigeria's Music Scene
Public Radio International: The World (listen to full interview below)
What's a US bluegrass band doing jamming with oud players in Riyadh?
Public Radio International: The World (listen to full interview below)
– globe prowlers –
