See a snapshot of the send-off of Kyle Dillingham, courtesy of Diffinity.
Oklahoma musician Kyle Dillingham and his band, Horseshoe Road, are headed to China where they will represent Oklahoma and the United States in Dunhuang, China, performing several concerts along China’s Silk Road. Their performance at the cultural expo in Dunhuang will make history as it is the first concert by an American country/Americana band in Dunhuang. Additionally, while in China, these musicians will perform as cultural ambassadors in Gansu and Qingyang.
To recognize these accomplishments, the State of Oklahoma will give a warm send-off to Dillingham and Horseshoe Road on Monday, September 11, at a special noontime concert to be held near the Beacon of Hope Monument in Oklahoma City at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, located at 900 N. Stiles Ave. This free event is open to the public and will feature a live performance from Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road.
Furthering his outreach, Dillingham will also be performing in the province of Gansu, which is Oklahoma’s sister state. In 1985, Governor George Nigh signed Oklahoma’s sister state agreement with China’s Gansu province. Since then over 20 delegations of Oklahomans going to China or vice versa have strengthened the relationship by building business, education and cultural ties.
In an official letter from Governor Mary Fallin to Governor Renjian of the Province of Gansu of The People’s Republic of China, she wrote “Our entire state celebrates the fact that Kyle along with his band Horseshoe Road will be representing our great state at the second annual Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang. You’re in for a rare musical experience… It occurs to me that music is indeed our universal language, and I sincerely hope that through exchanges such as this that our world can communicate with harmony and peace.”
Dillingham is no stranger to East Asia, as this will mark his twelfth trip to China. While in China, he will travel to Qingyang where he will officially represent the City of Edmond, Oklahoma, through a cultural exchange in Qingyang. Edmond and Qingyang became sister cities in 2016. Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road will perform two concerts while in Qingyang as well as have cultural exchange with local musicians.
“It’s always such an honor for me to represent Oklahoma and the United States through my music,” said Dillingham. In this role, Dillingham has taken his music to nearly 40 countries.
Dillingham is a master at playing several instruments, most notably the fiddle and guitar. That coupled with his harmonically rich vocals and poignant songwriting has earned him numerous awards and recognitions.
“We are extremely proud that Kyle has this extraordinary opportunity to represent Oklahoma and the U.S. through his incredible talents to our neighbors across the globe,” said Oklahoma Film + Music Office Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “We invite everyone to join us for this special celebration which will showcase Kyle and Horseshoe Road as we send him peaceful wishes for a successful trip to China.”
To learn more about Kyle Dillingham & Horseshoe Road, visit horseshoeroad.net.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Created in 1979, The Oklahoma Film + Music Office strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit www.okfilmmusic.org.