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Black Fret Keeps Live Music Alive With a New Festival

May 12, 2021 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Nakia SXSW 2018 Black Fret — Nakia enlivened an amazing Black Fret showcase during SXSW 2018. (credit: Bill Tucker)

For more than eight years, Black Fret supported the Austin music community with an unstoppable sense of purpose and accomplishment. When COVID brought live music to a near standstill, many of us wondered who would step up and take a stand. Black Fret came to the table and their brand new music festival, “Keep Live Music Alive,” is the comeback party we’ve been asking for since March of 2020. And with news of the 2021 class of grant nominees around the corner, there has never been a better time to become a member and support the music.

Doing The Right Thing Since 2013

Matt and Colin Black Ball 2018 — Colin Kendrick (L) and Matt Ott (R) pose before the 2018 Black Ball (credit: Bill Tucker)

Founded by Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott in 2013, Black Fret aims to support the local music scene through member support. Members pay a flat fee that goes toward yearly grants. In return, members get access to unique, intimate listening room style performances. Every year, members nominate twenty artists to receive either a minor ($5,000) or major ($20,000) grant. The year culminates in the Black Ball, a sensational awards show and concert blowout at the Moody Theater. I’ve been to multiple Black Balls over the years, and trust me. They are experiences!

And while COVID kicked the Austin live music scene in the gut, Black Fret fought back with the Happy Hour Concert series. The program paid out over $250,000 to over 150 musicians for playing shows for companies and businesses over Zoom. It’s that sort of innovation that helped Black Fret stay helpful and relevant during the pandemic.

How’s this for numbers? To date, Black Fret has awarded $2,000,000 to local musicians and $1,500,000 to Austin-area venues and music businesses. Every artist playing a Black Fret showcase gets paid as does every venue. And for the first time, this year’s season dues is $750. While that may seem steep, it’s a hefty discount from years past. And consider the amount of live shows you get exclusive access to, along with knowing you’re supporting the art that keeps Austin the “Live Music Capital of the World. It’s a donation worth considering if you have the means to do so.

The Keep Live Music Alive Festival

Buffalo Hunt during the Black Fret SXSW 2021 showcase.

Now that COVID restrictions are relaxing enough for Austin to dip its collective toe back into live music, Black Fret is launching its first membership drive of the season in the form of a festival. The “Keep Live Music Alive” festival will take place from May 14-16th at the Long Center Terrace. While the event is listed as members only, single-day tickets are available for non-members. But that’s not the point. With an incredible lineup to offer, becoming a member is the best way to experience this three-day extravaganza.

The jam packed schedule reads like a who’s who of new Austin music. While ATX staples like Ley Line and Darkbird make me smile, I’m dying to check out Zach Person. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this local up-and-comer. The full schedule is as follows:

Day 1	Time
Eimarl Sol	4:00
Darkbird	4:45
Mike Melinoe	5:30
Miggy Milla	6:15
Zach Person	7:00
Buffalo Hunt	7:45
Nane	8:30
Day 2
Night Blooms	3:00
Motenko	4:00
Ley Line	4:45
Clarence James	5:30
Lisa Morales	6:15
Harry Edohoukwa	7:00
American Dreamer	7:45
Sam Houston & Blk Odyssy	8:30
Jake Lloyd	9:00
Day 3
Special Tribute to Bob Dylan	11:00 AM
Jon Muq	2:00
Casey McPherson	3:00
Dom Fisher	3:45
Pat Byrne	4:30
J Soulja	5:15
Matt the Electrician	6:00
The Reverent Few	6:45
Deezie Brown	7:30

Looking Forward to the Season Ahead

Austin band Motenko performing during Black Fret’s SXSW 2021 showcase.

And the festival is a jumping-off point. On June 11th via a private event at the Moody Theatre, Black Fret will announce this year’s class of artists. After months of live shows, the season will culminate in this year’s Black Ball on December 4th. As a fan of this wonderful organization, it’s great to see it up and running as intended: promoting and stewarding Austin live music. And if Black Fret’s re-emergence is the goal, the Keep Live Music Alive festival is its proof of concept.

“Black Fret is all about supporting our local music as the art that it is and we thank the Long Center for hosting our first ‘Keep Live Music Alive’ festival,” said Matt Ott, Co-founder of Black Fret. “COVID knocked our music community on our collective ass and it is time for us all to come together to support our artists, venues, and vendors that create our amazing music ecosystem in Austin. Joining Black Fret is a great way to accomplish that.”

When the music community was sucker-punched by COVID over a year ago, it hit everyone hard. From artists to venues and everyone in between, it was a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Despite it all, Black Fret continued to do what it does best—provide a lifeline to Austin’s cherished and storied music scene when it needed it most. And with this weekend’s celebration, the Austin music community hopes to turn the page on the year that was, and look forward to a great season of sounds ahead.

To become a member and attend the festival, visit https://www.blackfret.org/klma/ for everything you need to do so.

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Ever been to a Black Fret event? Tell us about your experience!

Austin Musicians Granted $250,000 at 2019 Black Fret Ball

December 9, 2019 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Dr. Joe closed Black Fret Ball 2019 in explosive fashion (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Music is the lifeblood of Austin. Anyone who tells you different hasn’t spent a Saturday night on Red River or discovered a random artist during SXSW. On any given night, there are 100 shows to choose from in the greater Austin area. Music is a piece of who we are.

But the vein is starting to clot. Rising cost of living, higher venue rent, and dozens of entertainment options force world-class artists to stagnate.

Enter Black Fret, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, both financial and practical, to Austin musicians. On Dec. 7, 2019, during the annual Black Fret Ball gala, the group awarded $250,000 to 19 local artists. It was an evening of heart, community, and giving.

[Read more…]

Black Fret Awards $250,000 to Austin Musicians at 2018 Black Ball

December 10, 2018 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Black Ball 2018 was a celebration of music, giving, and community (Credit: Bill Tucker)

It’s tough to be a musician in the Live Music Capital of the World. On any given night, world-class artists ply their trade for the contents of a tip jar. Award-winning singers hold down regular jobs. Venues that find pride in treating artists fairly close the doors in favor of no-cover bars with a makeshift stage in the corner.

Enter Black Fret. By building a community of industry folks and music lovers, with a heart of keeping Austin music alive and well, this nonprofit provides an answer to the issues plaguing the local music scene. And on the Dec. 7 Black Ball extravaganza at the Moody Theater, Black Fret awarded $250,000 to deserving musicians. It was an evening of giving, music, and all around good vibes. [Read more…]

Black Ball Awards $230,000 to Austin Musicians at Paramount Theatre

December 10, 2017 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Sixteen bands performed on the iconic Paramount Theatre stage Saturday night, as Austin nonprofit Black Fret awarded $230,000 in grants to 19 local bands at its annual Black Ball. For all the gowns and tuxedos in the audience, the atmosphere was informal and upbeat. Excited whoops and friendly heckling were directed towards the stage, and the few technical delays were shrugged off with a sense of humor.

We were there to celebrate. The first award winner of the night, Jackie Venson, told attendees she wasn’t going anywhere because of Austin’s vibrant support system for musicians. “There’s no HAAM in New York. There’s no SIMS [Foundation] in Chicago.”

With a fair amount of negativity directed towards Austin’s growth and subsequent affordability issues, one might assume the ecosystem for musicians is in decline. While we have work to do as a city, Black Ball showcased a vibrant community of musicians being propelled toward success through Black Fret grants. [Read more…]

Ray Prim Celebrates New Record During Soul-filled Set at North Door

September 20, 2017 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Ray Prim lit The North Door on fire during his Sept. 15 record release show (Credit: Katie McDowell Photography)

Two days before his Sept. 15 record release show at The North Door, Ray Prim and I sat in the courtyard of Genuine Joe Coffeehouse and laughed for 90 minutes. We talked about everything. The music business, his shoulder surgery, and the challenges in finding a quality cello player. Grinding out life and dreaming big. Spend more than five minutes with Prim, and he’s guaranteed to make you smile. [Read more…]

ALL ATX Showcase and CD to Support Austin Musicians

September 16, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Todd Rundgren and other performing musicians thanking the crowd at the 2015 ALL ATX benefit concert
(Credit: ALL ATX)

ALL ATX advocates for and nurtures Austin’s musicians, and strives to aid Austin in keeping musicians here and cared for. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ALL ATX is adding new beneficiaries this year to best meet the needs of local musicians, needs highlighted in the 2015 Austin Music Census Report.

The proceeds from the Sept. 29ALL ATX 2016 Showcase and accompanying CD, both titled “Low Down Violet Crown: Austin Rocks the Blues,” will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS Foundation, Black Fret and Austin Music Foundation, four organizations that give direct support to Austin musicians. [Read more…]

Black Ball Awards $150,000 to Austin Musicians

December 7, 2015 by Brittany Highland 2 Comments

Second Annual Black Ball at The Paramount Theatre

It’s easy to say we love Austin’s live music scene, but Black Fret is actually doing something for local musicians. $150,000 worth of something.

At the second annual Black Ball Gala, Friday night at The Paramount Theatre, non-profit Black Fret awarded grants to 20 musicians, for a total of $150,000 in grant dollars. Ten major grant winners received $12,000 each, while 10 minor grant winners were awarded $3,000.

The organization is built on its members, about 300 and counting. These patrons donate $1,500 per year to fulfill Black Fret’s mission: “to empower musicians to create and perform great new music.” [Read more…]

Black Fret Poised to Change Lives of Local Musicians in 2015

January 16, 2015 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Graham Wilkinson, awarded $10,000 by Black Fret (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

If you love Austin’s music scene, but haven’t heard of local non-profit Black Fret, that changes now.

Imagine being a talented musician trying to make a living following your passion. You have a fan base, regular shows and even a couple of albums. But it’s an uphill struggle every day, and you find yourself having to refocus energy into another job so the bills get paid.

Then a local non-profit comes along and offers you a chance to play private shows for music patrons in Austin. Your exposure grows among these influencers, and then you get news that will change your life and career: [Read more…]

Black Fret Awards $100,000 to Austin Musicians

November 10, 2014 by Cris Mueller 1 Comment

On left, Black Fret founders Matt Ott and Colin Kendrick (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

The red carpet was aglow with paparazzi flashes as Austin’s music royalty arrived at The Paramount for Black Fret’s inaugural Black Ball. A surge of music and energy was brought to the stage at 7 PM this past Saturday night, kicking off five hours of unique performances from 16 of the 20 grant nominees.

Black Fret lined up a night that will forever remain unmatched (at least until next year’s Black Ball), including talent from [Read more…]

Austin Musicians to Receive $100,000 at Inaugural Black Ball

October 15, 2014 by Brittany Highland 1 Comment

The Paramount Theatre will host the inaugural Black Ball on November 8, 2014 (Credit: JD Hancock via Flickr CC)

On November 8th, a new event will be introduced to Austin, TX. Under the historical roof of Congress Avenue’s Paramount Theatre, non-profit Black Fret will award $100,000 to 10 local music artists at the inaugural Black Ball.

Black Ball has been a long time coming. Following its Launch Party at the beginning of 2013, Black Fret marked its 100th member a year later. Throughout 2014, new members have continued to sign on to support Austin musicians and promote the maturing of our city’s music industry. The organization hit 170 members in October 2014.

Membership in Black Fret is exclusive and limited. Only [Read more…]