Leadership for Musicians, from Musicians, in Austin

Austin bills itself as the live music capital of the world.  With SXSW and the Austin City Limits festival, there is some merit to the slogan.

My wife and I attended a fundraiser last night for SAVE AUSTIN MUSIC.  I spoke to several attendees, musicians and local personalities that attended to find out what their connection to the event was and what motivated them to attend.  The answers were pretty consistent--each of them loved LIVE MUSIC, knew someone (family or friend) that played LIVE MUSIC and are convinced  that Austin can improve in the area of LIVE MUSIC.

I was recently in Chicago, and wow, that seems more like the live music capital of the world than Austin.  It's got a vibrant music scene--all genres--and there is solid support from the citizens AND government.  Chicago, like many large cities in the USA, has a department dedicated to music.  Not just music for arts sake, music for business sake.

John Pointer kicked off the music at the Save Austin Music event, and he is a fantastic singer/songwriter.  I play guitar, but compared to him, it's as if I only have one string and he has a symphony stuffed in his guitar.  I snagged a CD and had a chat with him after he finished his set.  Here is a person that is leading, not just sitting back and waiting for something to happen.  He has ideas that would help him AND the venues he plays (win-win), and if those ideas would work for him, they would work for other musicians, too.  That is just what he is doing, putting his ideas into practice with other business associates (remeber, it's not just about art) and leading with others involved with the Save Austin Music organization.

Neckbone moving the house.  You can't sit still when these guys are on stage!

Dan Dyer on stage.  He could easily give David Gray a run for his money!

Many other musicians are doing like John, brainstorming and taking action.  They are working with the venue owners and local government to raise awareness of Austin citizens.  Each group knows that they need each other and by working together, the odds of success are far greater.  The musicians are standing up and taking the lead.  For many people,  the words "musician" and "leadership" don't go together.  They haven't met this group!

For more info, visit http://www.saveaustinmusic.com