About Us

About Us

The Power of One Voice.

In 2008, just before competing in the first season of “The Voice” television show, Nakia Reynoso created a private Facebook Group for musicians in Central Texas to connect, find gigs, trade gear, and access information.

As membership grew, so did the need for advocacy.

By 2019, the network had grown significantly, so Nakia gathered a small group of working musicians to formalize the next steps. Soon after, the Austin Texas Musicians™ 501(c)3 organization was formed to provide advocacy, education, and economic development aimed at supporting local musicians and community growth.

Today, through the combined efforts and resources of its members, Austin Texas Musicians is committed to elevating industry conditions and empowering professional musicians to lend their voice for change.

A smiling man with wavy brown hair and a beard, wearing a white T-shirt, against a black background.

Community Impact

A woman speaking to a crowd at a protest or rally outside a building with the words 'CITY HALL' on the facade. The crowd is diverse, wearing face masks, and some are holding signs.

Advocacy

The ATX Musicians’ advocacy efforts have been instrumental in securing policy changes that have yielded far-reaching impacts on our members and stakeholders alike. Some wins include:

  • The advocacy efforts of ATX Musicians resulted in the first-ever sustainable recurring funding for music in the United States.

    Their efforts successfully negotiated the allocation of a percentage of hotel occupancy taxes towards music in Austin through annual grants for musicians, individual promoters, and music venues.

    The result was the establishment of the Austin Live Music Fund via the City of Austin.

  • Helped secure $6M in Federal Relief Grants for musicians and $5M for venues.

  • Worked with the Austin City Council to create a standardized pay rate of $200 per musician for all city-funded performances.

  • Lobbied State Legislators to defeat anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that would have had devastating financial impact on Texas’ performing arts industry.

  • Registered thousands of new voters in Travis County, El Paso, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.

Community Impact

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Education

From professional development to unbiased news reporting, ATXM offers educational programs that help the music community grow professionally, learn how to become entrepreneurs, and stay informed about issues that affect them.

    • Over the years, ATXM has produced dozens of educational webinars for musicians on topics ranging from;

    • Copyright Royalties,

    • The American Music Fairness Act

    • Mechanical Licensing Collective

    • Relief Grants

    • Unemployment

    • Voter Education

    • COVID Safety

    • and more…

  • Hosted educational events in conjunction with Texas Music Office, BMI, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts, Austin Music Foundation, Mechanical Licensing Collective, Sound Exchange, Music Managers Forum and more.

    • Launched ATXM NEWS, a 30-minute news program focused on issues and inspiration within our music community.

Community Impact

A vintage cream-colored car parked in front of the Antones music venue in downtown Austin. The venue has bright neon signs and colorful lighting, with several people gathered outside.

Economic Development

Community is the cornerstone of ATXM work. This includes economic development, preservation efforts, and community-building events. Historical efforts include:

  • Connected musicians with unemployment benefits, during the COVID pandemic, through partnership with Texas Workforce Commission.

  • Offer virtual job fairs and jobs lists for musicians through partnership with Workforce Solutions

  • Secured more than $200K in paid performance opportunities for ATXM PRO members

  • Secured $35K to revitalize the historic Doris Miller Auditorium, serving East Austin’s Black and Latin communities

  • Currently working on a permanent home for the Texas Music Museum, a downtown creative hub including parking and safety solutions, and an anti-theft solution for musical instruments.