I first heard about a new non-profit called Black Fret at the beginning of 2013, when I attended their first launch party at the 29th St. Ballroom.

The Black Fret team wasn’t afraid to aim big from the beginning. Their stated goal was to gain 1,300 members who each donated $1,500/year. This would allow the organization to give away 50 grants of $25,000 each to Austin artists, every year. Yes, that adds up to more than one million dollars to promote the local music scene we all love.

For all of us who had never heard of Black Fret before, one million dollars sounded like – dare I say it? – an impossible goal. But, like many other Austinites, Eric and I caught the vision. Supporting local artists is part of our hyperlocal mission at the Austinot, so it was a natural partnership. And the more we got to know co-founders Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott and learned about their past laurels, and the more amazing Black Fret house parties we attended, the more tangible the vision became.

Milestone: First 100 Members

Only one year after that first launch party, Black Fret earned their first [Read more…]

We love our local music. But there’s a noteworthy difference between sending out raving groupie tweets to three hundred followers about the no cover show you attended on 6th Street, and being instrumental in helping a band with legs get their first album out.

If you’re addicted to your groupie tweets and free shows, read no further. But if you’re part of the smaller group that means business when it comes to helping talented musicians earn a living doing what they love to do, I’ve found the organization for you. [Read more…]