Last night at the The Music Cities Awards ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Red Dirt Relief Fund was named “Best Organisation or Individual Supporting Music in their City.” To kick off the 10th Music Cities Convention, the Awards recognized 11 outstanding initiatives that use music to drive economic, social, and cultural development around the world. Red Dirt Relief Fund was the only US-based organization that took home an award.
RDRF Cofounders John Cooper and Katie Dale were in attendance to accept the award.
“This is an amazing night for Tulsa, its music and its musicians,” said Red Dirt Relief Fund Executive Director Katie Dale. “Tulsa would not be the city it is today without its music creators, and it is the mission of Red Dirt Relief Fund to support them so they can continue to create. To be honored on a global scale is incredibly humbling and motivating for even bigger and better things in the future!”
This year’s winners represent a living database of music advocacy inspiration, a diverse spectrum of projects that span continents, genres, and approaches, but all share one vision: harnessing the power of music to improve lives and transform places.
“These projects demonstrate the transformative role music plays in shaping healthier, more connected, and more resilient societies,” said Shain Shapiro, Founder of Sound Diplomacy. “From heritage preservation in the Sahara to cultural innovation in Cuba, from grassroots relief efforts in Oklahoma to global entertainment platforms, the 2025 winners remind us that music is not only an art form—it is a tool for change.”
The contest was judged by a cohort of 10 of the world’s leading music advocacy experts from about 400 applications across 51 countries. The Music Cities Awards, presented annually since 2020 by Sound Diplomacy Events & Education during the Music Cities Convention, highlight the individuals, organisations, and cities redefining how music shapes communities.
