Momo's Club proprietor Paul Oveisi is a high quality guy. Not only has he successfully run a music club on Austin's 6th Steet for 10 years--no small feat-- he also teaches, serves on Austin's Live Music Task Force, and is a guy who cares about and supports music and musicians.
So when I heard that Paul was involved in launching a new non-profit called Austin Music People, I wanted to know more.
The AMP website has a lot of good info about the organization's vision and mission. Basically, AMP wants to be the organization that represents the interests of the music industry with City leaders. Even though City officials drafted a 1991 resolution to proclaim Austin the "Live Music Capital of the World," there is neither a business plan nor a central organization to develop this vibrant sector of Austin's economy.
Issues come up all the time--from whether to charge for parking downtown to ordinances governing decibel levels of live shows--where having a central voice for stakeholders would make for better and more efficient decisions.
Paul Oveisi views our live music scene as Austin's professional sports franchise. The number of dollars and visitors that come to town to experience our music each year--for events such as South by Southwest, the ACL Festival, and many, many more--is mind-boggling. Austin Music People wants to be the organization that "protects and grows Austin's music culture and our reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World."
If you love music and/or musicians, if you care about music, please support AMP. They are having their launch party tonight, starting at 6 pm at ACL Live at the Moody Theater, featuring bands like
Ghostland Observatory
Blue October
Court Yard Hounds
Alejandro Escovedo
Brownout
Bavu Blakes
The Coveters
Bright Light Social Hour
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