Blog
Blog
ATXM News & Happenings
Free SoundExchange 101 Webinar March 26th!
Many musicians are leaving money on the table simply because they aren’t registered to collect digital performance royalties. Join this free SoundExchange webinar on March 26 at 12:00 PM CT to learn how digital royalties work and how to make sure you’re getting paid.
The ATXM Merch Store Is Live! Premium Apparel with a Purpose
The ATXM Merch Store is officially live — featuring premium, retail-quality apparel designed to celebrate Austin’s music community while directly supporting it. From ultra-soft tees and tanks to classic hoodies in a wide range of colors, every purchase helps fund advocacy, education, and economic development for working musicians and venues.
Shop with purpose. Wear the mission. Support Austin music.
Confusion Around Austin’s Live Music Fund: What Musicians Need to Know
Why did Austin’s 2024 Live Music Fund grants leave parts of the music community confused and frustrated? A recent investigation by Andrea Ball in Austin Current explores scoring, priorities, and communication gaps. Here’s what musicians and venues need to know — and how ATXM is working toward clarity and solutions.
How One Man’s Encounter Sparked a Vision to Revive East Austin’s Music Landmark
ATXM’s Chief Operating Officer, Ray Price never set out to be a music venue savior — but after a serendipitous discovery of the Doris Miller Auditorium, he became a driving force in restoring the historic East Austin space. From teaching young musicians to building a vision for a cultural hub, Price’s work embodies creative community revitalization.
Free Sunday Funday at ACL Live Theater, Feb. 22nd!
Join us — Austin Texas Musicians — for a FREE Sunday Funday at ACL Live at the Moody Theater on February 22! Celebrate 15 years of music and community with live performances, Willie Nelson–style braids from PNC Bank, tech recycling and swag from Dell Technologies, family zones with Ascension Seton and Dell Children's Medical Center, plus food, giveaways, backstage tours and more. Book your free ticket now or join the standby line at the Box Office.
ATXM Night Shift Returns Tuesday, March 3rd — Austin’s Music Industry Comes Together
ATXM Night Shift returns Tuesday, March 3rd at Brushy Street Commons — bringing together Austin’s musicians, industry leaders, and creative professionals for an evening of connection and live performance. Featuring our signature listening-room open mic and delicious eats from Marinara Miracles, this is where collaboration starts and community grows.
A Moment That Reminded Us Why We Gather
Last night at ATXM Night Shift, a quiet, powerful moment unfolded when Southern Longoria wrote a poem in the room and bravely shared it during open mic. His words captured the heartbeat of Austin music and reminded us why creating space for artists to be heard truly matters.
Why ATXM Night Shift Is Becoming Austin’s Go-To Music Industry Mixer
ATXM Night Shift is quickly becoming Austin’s go-to monthly music industry mixer—bringing working musicians together with the professionals, media, and advocates who support them. In a city full of one-off events and festival-driven networking, Night Shift fills a critical gap with a consistent, artist-first gathering that builds real community year-round.
Inspiring Conversations: Patrick Buchta on Building a Stronger Future for Austin’s Musicians
Executive Director Patrick Buchta shares his journey from working musician to advocate in a recent VoyageAustin feature—highlighting why Austin Texas Musicians exists, the systemic challenges facing artists today, and how community-driven advocacy is building a more sustainable future for Austin’s music ecosystem.
Join Us for Night Shift: Austin’s Monthly Music Industry Mixer + Open Mic Feb 4th— RSVP Today!
Night Shift is Austin’s monthly music industry mixer + open mic—bringing musicians, ATXM Pro members, and industry pros together for real connection after hours. Free to attend, RSVP required. Join us Feb 4th at Brushy Street Commons.
ATXM Night Shift Sells Out, Bringing Austin’s Music Community Together
ATXM Night Shift sold out with 200 RSVPs, bringing together musicians, industry leaders, and creatives for an unforgettable night of open mic performances, networking, and community. With 20 artists featured in a true listening-room environment and capacity expanding next month, RSVP early for the February 4 Night Shift before it sells out!
Join Us for Night Shift: Austin’s Monthly Music Industry Mixer + Open Mic Jan 7th— RSVP Today!
Night Shift is Austin’s monthly music industry mixer + open mic—bringing musicians, ATXM Pro members, and industry pros together for real connection after hours. Free to attend, RSVP required. Join us January 7 at Brushy Street Commons.
Let the Money Go: How ATXM Helped Unlock Millions for Live Music Venues in Austin
When Austin’s Live Music Venue Preservation Fund stalled, millions in lifesaving relief sat frozen while beloved venues faced collapse. ATXM stepped in—organizing a high-visibility rally, educating venue owners about the blocked funds, and pushing the city to release the money. The result: $5 million finally flowed to the stages that define Austin’s music culture.
5 Ways to Support ATXM—and How to Put Each One Into Action
ATXM is urgently raising $2M to fund 2026 initiatives supporting Austin’s working musicians. Learn five impactful ways to help—from recurring donations to corporate sponsorships—and how your support fuels advocacy, education, and economic opportunity.
How Your Donation Supports Austin’s Musicians — In Action
Austin’s musicians are at a critical moment. ATXM is turning advocacy into fair pay, education into income, and opportunity into paid work—but urgent funding is needed to keep momentum moving. Support the people who make Austin’s music possible.
Advocacy Isn’t One-and-Done: ATXM as Long-Term Steward of Music Policy
Winning a policy isn’t the end of advocacy—it’s the beginning. ATXM continues to steward major wins like the Live Music Fund and the $200 minimum pay rate long after they pass, ensuring they work the way they were intended. From monitoring implementation and flagging issues to educating musicians on how to access grants and fair pay, ATXM keeps the system accountable. This ongoing oversight turns policy victories into real economic impact for musicians, venues, and the entire Austin music ecosystem.
Setting the Floor: How ATXM Helped Secure a $200 City Standard Pay Rate for Musicians
Austin Texas Musicians helped deliver a historic win for fair pay: Austin’s first citywide $200 minimum performance rate for all city-funded gigs. What began as an internal guideline during the pandemic became official policy thanks to ATXM’s advocacy—drafting the resolution, coordinating with City Council, and ensuring it passed with overwhelming support. Today, every city-sponsored performance must meet this standard, strengthening musician incomes, enforcing fair budgeting, and setting a national precedent for artist compensation.
Texas Music Office Launches the new Texas Music Industry Database
The Texas Music Office has upgraded the Texas Music Industry Directory, making it easier than ever for musicians, venues, and music businesses to get discovered. A free listing connects you with collaborators, booking opportunities, and statewide industry visibility—all in just a 10–20 minute application.
When Stevie Played the Room: A Sixth Street Story from Maggie Mae’s
Before Stevie Ray Vaughan was a global guitar icon, he was lighting up Sixth Street with raw, unforgettable performances at Maggie Mae’s. These early nights shaped his sound, electrified Austin’s music scene, and helped build the legacy that still echoes through the walls of this iconic venue.
When the Music Stopped: How ATXM Helped Unlock $6M for Austin Musicians
When SXSW collapsed in 2020, Austin’s entire music economy went silent overnight. ATXM moved fast. Within weeks, Patrick Buchta and Nakia Reynoso were inside City Hall asking one urgent question: How do we get money into musicians’ hands—now? Their advocacy helped draft and pass the resolution that created the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund, delivering $1,000 emergency grants across two rounds totaling $6 million. ATXM not only pushed the policy forward—they educated musicians on how to apply, partnered with MusiCares to ensure musician-centered administration, and gathered feedback that made the second round smoother. This support kept hundreds of artists afloat during the city’s darkest moment.
Community Partners
Are You a Central Texas Musician?
Austin Texas Musicians is for you! We are musicians working for musicians.
Our community of Central Texas musicians is over 6,000 strong and growing.
We represent those we serve on city, state, and federal policy and provide basic needs and services to improve our quality of life.
Advocacy, Education, and Economic Development are the three pillars of our work to empower you to “Show Up, Speak Up, and Be Heard"!
Make an impact today
🎵 Join us in protecting Austin’s creative future.
Every bit of support goes a long way in helping us help musicians. We’ve got some very impactful new initiatives in motion for 2026, including:
Expanded Paid Performance Opportunities for Musicians
Expanded Education Programming, in Partnership with Local Higher Education
A Downtown Creative Hub, Parking and Safe Escort for Musicians
To continue doing this work, we need your help. Cultivating new partnerships, investment, and donor relations both public and private will be key to our sustainability.
We're putting out a call to all interested corporate partners, angel investors, and music community members and imploring that we all come together to lift up what has proven to be a crucial service to the health of our music community, which truly serves as the cornerstone to Austin’s economic well-being. We hope you’ll help us continue our work by donating, or by contacting us directly to discuss options.