The work I’ve spent over a decade building is now at risk—and I’m asking for your help.

Dear Friends,

This is one of the hardest messages I’ve ever had to write.

For over a decade, I’ve dedicated my life to preserving and sharing American history through music. While I enjoy singing those historic songs that everyone knows, my work shines a light on songs and stories often left out of the narrative—especially those of women and marginalized voices. But right now, I’m heartbroken and, honestly, deeply discouraged.

Since the change in the federal administration this year, I’ve lost work due to paused funding. Programs I’ve collaborated with are disappearing. Institutions I rely on—like the NEA, IMLS, and the Great American Songbook Foundation—are being defunded or dismantled. People talk about how much they trust museums and libraries in this polarized time… but those are under attack, too.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) views my work—and the work of so many artists and historians—as wasteful or unimportant. But it’s not. It matters.

Five years ago at the start of the pandemic, I felt more support than I do now. But now? My monthly Patreon income has dropped by 30% in 2025, even as my costs rise. Some historic sites I partner with can’t even use the word “woman” in a grant application. I’ve seen proposals denied—not for lack of merit, but because we dared to center women’s voices in the story of our country.

It’s absurd. It’s harmful. It’s cruel.

One version of history is being held up as the only truth, while everything else is being erased. That’s not just inaccurate—it invalidates the work I do. And it threatens the stories I’ve spent years reviving and sharing with communities across the country.

I’ve performed in 25 states—often in rural areas, small-town libraries, and historic sites where these stories don’t otherwise get told. If I can’t continue this work, these songs and stories—especially in underserved communities—simply won’t be heard. That loss goes far beyond me. It means a quieter, less truthful version of our past takes root in its place.

My dream for 2026 was to perform in all 50 states—bringing these stories to audiences across the country during our nation’s 250th anniversary. I’ve been building toward this for years. But now, I’m honestly not sure if I’ll be able to make it happen.

Still, I believe in the power of this work. And if there’s a way forward, I want to find it—with your help.

If you believe in what I do, here’s how you can help:

• Support me on Patreon or Ko-fi
  NOTE: I’ve seen others use their Patreon funds to hire assistants. Not me. Every dollar goes directly to me and the preservation of this work.
• Book or recommend a concert
• Forward this message to someone who cares about truth, culture, and community
• Regardless of your political affiliation, call your representatives. Tell them that what I and so many others do in our communities is not wasteful. Demand these programs be reinstated.

I still believe that music has the power to connect us. I still believe every voice in our history deserves to be heard. I want to keep singing and preserving America’s history through song and story—and historic sites want to continue being essential cultural spaces.

But I can’t do it without you.
We can’t do it without you.

With love and music,
Cece