Performer Application

Tumbleweed Music Festival Generic Logo created by Thesa Grate for the 10th Anniversary of Tumbleweed.

Tumbleweed Music Festival
September 4 – 6, 2026
Three Rivers Folklife Society
P.O. Box 1098, Richland, WA 99352

Email: tumbleweedmusicfestival@3rfs.net

Dear Performers,

Three Rivers Folklife Society invites you to apply for the 30th annual Tumbleweed Music Festival.

This year’s live festival will take place from September 4th to 6th, 2026, in Richland’s Howard Amon Park. We will also have a virtual element available on this website.

Applications can be downloaded from this page, OR you may use the online form at the bottom of this page (and, if using the online form, you must also download and submit a separate Tech Sheet using the “TMF2026 Tech Sheet” button below).  Musicians must submit a complete application with sample audio recordings even if you have appeared at the festival in the past, because our selection committee is different each year.  Ideally, there should be three to five song tracks in the style you will present at the festival.  Once an application is received, it will be reviewed, and you will receive confirmation of acceptance into the festival by mid-June.

You may submit the application along with three to five sample tracks (high-quality .mp3s) via email to tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com, OR by US mail or land carrier (CD or thumb drive) by April 20, 2026 OR by using the online form at the bottom of this page.  We’re not looking for highly polished audition tracks – your simple living room recording will be fine, and is preferable to a heavily-produced and augmented studio track that doesn’t sound like you at a festival.

Please include a biography, a press kit, and professional-quality photos if available.  In addition, please list all band member names.

Tumbleweed is produced entirely by volunteers, with cooperation from our co-sponsor the City of Richland and various local and regional supporters.  Please read the attached performer policy, which should answer questions about performer selection, performance recordings, and other details.

PLEASE NOTE: Except for the three acts chosen by the Tumbleweed Planning Committee as headliners for the Saturday night Tumbleweed Benefit Concert, performers at the festival are NOT paid beyond a maximum $150.00 travel stipend.

If you wish to be in the part of our festival that will be online, we’re asking for pre-recorded
performances from you, of the highest quality possible. Please click the “Video Performance Requirements” button below.

If you have any questions related to the festival, please call our Coordinator Katrina Knight at the number listed below, or by email to tumbleweedmusicfestival@3rfs.net. If you have any questions about the application specifically, email David Carson at
tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com.

If accepted, you will receive a preliminary performance confirmation by mid-June.  Final confirmations will be sent later. Thank you for your interest. We hope to have your performance (live or recorded) at the 2026 Tumbleweed Music Festival!

The theme of this year’s festival is “Tumbleweed – Thirty Years by the River.” We hope this topic will inspire you to write an original song for the Jane Titland Memorial Songwriting Contest; the songwriting contest application and guidelines are available separately on our website. The Sunday evening concert this year will feature Songwriting Contest winners from past years.

Katrina Knight, TMF2026 Coordinator
tumbleweedmusicfestival@3rfs.net
Phone: 509.587.3060

David Carson, TMF2026 Applications Coordinator
tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com
Phone:  509.539.8090

Performer Application

Tumbleweed Music Festival Generic Logo created by Thesa Grate for the 10th Anniversary of Tumbleweed.

Tumbleweed Music Festival
September 4 - 6, 2026

Three Rivers Folklife Society
P.O. Box 1098, Richland, WA 99352

Email: tumbleweedmusicfestival@3rfs.net

Application Deadline:  April 20, 2026

Dear Performers,

Three Rivers Folklife Society invites you to apply for the 30th annual Tumbleweed Music Festival.

This year’s live festival will take place from September 4th to 6th, 2026, in Richland’s Howard Amon Park. We will also have a virtual element available on this website.

Applications can be downloaded from this page, OR you may use the online form at the bottom of this page.  Musicians must submit a complete application with sample audio recordings even if you have appeared at the festival in the past, because our selection committee is different each year.  Ideally, there should be three to five song tracks in the style you will present at the festival.  Once an application is received, it will be reviewed, and you will receive confirmation of acceptance into the festival by mid-June.

You may submit the application along with three to five sample tracks (high-quality .mp3s) via email to tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com, OR by US mail or land carrier (CD or thumb drive) by
April 20, 2026 OR by using the online form at the bottom of this page.  We’re not looking for highly polished audition tracks – your simple living room recording will be fine, and is preferable to a heavily-produced and augmented studio track that doesn’t sound like you at a festival.

Please include a biography, a press kit, and professional-quality photos if available.  In addition, please list all band member names.

Tumbleweed is produced entirely by volunteers, with cooperation from our co-sponsor the City of Richland and various local and regional supporters.  Please read the attached performer policy,
which should answer questions about performer selection, performance recordings, and other details.

PLEASE NOTE: Except for the three acts chosen by the Tumbleweed Planning Committee as headliners for the Saturday night Tumbleweed Benefit Concert, performers at the festival are NOT paid beyond a maximum $150.00 travel stipend.

If you wish to be in the part of our festival that will be online, we’re asking for pre-recorded
performances from you, of the highest quality possible. Please click the “Video Performance Requirements” button below.

If you have any questions related to the festival, please call our Coordinator Katrina Knight at the number listed below, or by email to tumbleweedmusicfestival@3rfs.net. If you have any questions about the application specifically, email David Carson at
tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com.

If accepted, you will receive a preliminary performance confirmation by mid-June.  Final confirmations will be sent later. Thank you for your interest. We hope to have your performance (live or recorded) at the 2026 Tumbleweed Music Festival!

The theme of this year’s festival is “Tumbleweed – Thirty Years by the River.” We hope this topic will inspire you to write an original song for the Jane Titland Memorial Songwriting Contest; the songwriting contest application and guidelines are available separately on our website. The Sunday evening concert this year will feature Songwriting Contest winners from past years.

Katrina Knight, TMF2026 Coordinator
tumbleweedmusicfestival@3rfs.net
Phone: 509.587.3060

David Carson, TMF2026 Applications Coordinator
tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com
Phone:  509.539.8090

Festival Performer Policies

General policy: It is the intent of the Tumbleweed Music Festival to present high-quality, diverse music, dance, and instruction. A committee of volunteers selects performers based on the best interest of the festival from artistic, philosophic, programmatic and technical viewpoints. Our festival welcomes all applicants, but traditionally we have featured mostly acoustic acts. Some selection preference is given to local performers, culturally and ethnically diverse performers, and children's music.

Deadline for application for 2026: Applications must be received either via surface mail or land carrier, or electronically (tumbleweedsubmissions@gmail.com or using the online form at the bottom of this page) by April 20, 2026.

Set Length: Time slots for live sets are 45 minutes (includes 5 minutes setup time and 5 minutes teardown time); virtual sets are 15 - 20 minutes; there will be allowances for slight overage due to length of songs.

Saturday Evening Concert: Headline performers for the evening concert are selected by the Planning Committee.

Audition recordings: Musicians must provide audio recordings of three to five songs typical of your festival performance (electronic submissions: high-quality .mp3s, .wav., or .aac files; US mail/land carrier: audio CD or thumb drive with those files - note that we DO require files, and not just links). Living room productions are fine, or you may send a studio CD identifying typical tracks. Basically, we’re interested in what you sound like in person, as opposed to heavily-produced and augmented. Audition recordings are not required for dance groups or storytellers. Applying for the festival indicates that we may use audio clips from your audition recordings for promotion and publicity. Physical audition recordings are not returnable.

Reimbursement:  PLEASE NOTE - Except for the three acts chosen as headliners for the Saturday night Tumbleweed Benefit Concert, performers at the festival are not paid beyond a maximum $150.00 travel stipend. Compensation is limited to a travel stipend for out-of-town performers, based on distance traveled, and will not exceed $150 per group.

Contract: All performers will enter into a written agreement with the Three Rivers Folklife Society, the sponsoring organization.  This form will be sent to you on acceptance into the festival, and you will sign and return it to us via either email (preferred) or physically to the address at the top of this form.

Photo/Video Release: If accepted for performance, you agree to allow videos of your performance for the festival to be used by 3RFS for publicity or grant application purposes, including traditional radio, television, and print media as well as clips from your public social media postings.

I agree to the Tumbleweed Music Festival Performer Policies as listed on this page, by signing below:

Note - This is separate from the full bio requested above

Tumbleweed 2026 Performer Application

(Facebook, ReverbNation, Instagram, Threads, etc.) – we’d like to promote your performance.)
(e.g., “Traditional Bluegrass Band”; 32 characters max)
I/we want to perform:
NOTE: if "Live," please complete a Tech Sheet.
I/we want are available to perform:
NOTE: if "Live," please complete a Tech Sheet.
(This will help our MCs make sure to announce you correctly.)
Is the address above the appropriate one to send your Performer Agreement to for signature?
Physical address OR email
Tech Sheet Confirmation
You can download the Tech Sheet using the button at the bottom of this form. Fill it out and use this File Upload to send it to us. Thanks!

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Type of Performance

Music and Spoken Word (check predominant type)
Dance Performances and Workshops (check one)
Dance Bands and Callers (check one)
Would you like to present a workshop or panel?
Items being physically sent (check if yes):
NOTE - Physical media are not returnable.