Jennifer Houlihan is the Executive Director at Austin Music People (AMP). Bobby Garza is the General Manager at Transmission Events and Chair of the Executive Committee at AMP. We discuss the state of Austin as a music city:

• Why we need organizations like Austin Music People;
• How the disconnect between the politics, the music community, and the Austin population happened;
• The findings and propositions from the 2014 Austin Music Industry Census;
• Austin getting a C- on the Music City Report Card;
• People’s unwillingness to pay cover charge to see live music;
• How to educate people about the music Austin offers and cultivate music Evangelist;
• Tips and advice for artists;
• The sound ordinance and the agent of change principle;
• How you can support the music scene

The story that we sell about Austin

[…] looks like the front of a show. What you don’t see is the back; where there’s a toilet broken or somebody is trying to plug an extension cord. – Bobby Garza

What we hope to do is give people the tools they need to make the change in the community that’s going to keep us the Live Music Capital of the World – Jennifer Houlihan

Austin Music People:     

Transmission Events:  

Get involved and support music-based non-profit organizations:

• Austin Music Office is an economic development accelerator and centralized resource center for Austin’s music industry, and an active community partner for Austin’s citizens, community groups, and neighborhoods.
• Austin Music Foundation strengthens and connects the local music community with innovative programs that empower musicians and fuel Austin’s creative economy.
• Kids In The Groove provides Central Texas children living in foster care with a committed one-on-one mentoring relationship through private music instruction.
• Austin Songwriters Group is a non-profit organization created by songwriters for songwriters.
• Health Alliance for Austin Musicians provides access to affordable health care for Austin’s low-income, uninsured working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.
• Black Fret funds the creation and performance of new music by the fine musicians who play the clubs and coffee shops of our amazing city.
• Dub Academy teaches students how to DJ and produce music.
• Girls Rock Austin empowers girls and women of all backgrounds and abilities through musical education and performance.
• They Speak Austin: poetry, writing and performance.

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BENEFITING AUSTIN MUSIC PEOPLE