Blog
Blog
ATXM News & Happenings
Great Merch Needs a Business Behind It
You’ve got the design—now what? Clint Avants of C.C. Creations takes musicians behind the merch table to explore what it takes to turn a creative idea into a product fans actually want to buy and wear. From choosing the right apparel and printing methods to managing inventory, fulfillment and growth, discover why successful merch requires more than great design—it needs a smart business behind it.
Before You Make the T-Shirt, Build the Brand
Before you ask what to put on a T-shirt, ask a bigger question: What does your artist’s world look and feel like? Dorothy Nottingham of Baby Snakes Creative shows how illustration, color and visual storytelling can create a recognizable brand that extends naturally into merchandise, experiences and fan connection. Discover why great merch doesn’t start with the product—it starts with the brand.
When the Merchandise Becomes the Art
What if your most memorable piece of merchandise wasn’t a T-shirt at all? Scott Friedeck and The Graphic Guitar Guys transform guitars into canvases for art, branding and storytelling—creating collectibles, fan experiences and premium products. Discover how musicians can think beyond traditional merch and ask a bigger question: What could I create that only my brand could create?
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.