“Making a living as a musician may be especially difficult in these times of record label consolidation, sales collapse, and streaming services… [Black Fret is] trying to change that by bringing a symphony-style patronage model to local popular music.”
Forbes Magazine
On March 16, from Noon to 7 p.m. Austin-based music member organization, Black Fret, hosted LOVE YOUR MUSIC, a celebration of local music on the backyard stage at GSD&M. The event was free and open to the public. It was a beautiful day, and the crowd was festive. In case you missed it, let us introduce you to the organization, a new philanthropic entrepreneurial venture and the musicians that made the event possible.
Image credit BlackFret.com
About the organization
Black Fret is a 501(c)3 non-profit that believes popular music is art, worthy of support, as the opera and symphony have been supported for generations.
By joining Black Fret, patrons fuel the organization’s mission to enable the creation and performance of new music by exceptional local musicians. Members become part of an active community of music lovers dedicated to sustaining music in Austin. Membership is only $750 a year per person, 80% of which is tax deductible.
Membership in Black Fret also allows you to have fun while doing good. The membership benefits allow members to attend Black Fret public and private events throughout the year, nominate their annual group of Black Fret Artists, network with fellow music-lovers at events and mixers and in member-only online community, attend the season-end Black Fret Ball, and become part of a community that has awarded millions of dollars in grants and payments artists.
Black Fret currently has three membership levels to choose from to match how you want to experience life as a Patron of Local Music.
Discover an Austin entrepreneurial venture with a philanthropic mission
Sponsoring the event and launching at SXSW is Austin-based venture, FreeWater
FreeWater Inc. is a paradigm-shifting, philanthropic marketing startup that uses free spring water in aluminum bottles and paper cartons as the vehicle to put the right message in the right person’s hands. With 10 cents from each beverage donated to charity to build water wells for people in need, solving the global water scarcity crisis is a key objective of the company. The product is eco-friendly and BPA-free and is paid for by the ads printed directly onto the aluminum bottles and cartons. The startup has two main business models: B2B and D2C, and is an innovative new way to advertise. For additional information, visit www.freewater.io.
FreeWater is excited to launch during SXSW 2022. You can find them on the streets of Austin — look for the FreeWater truck! Stay tuned for a foundingAUSTIN profile and interview with the founder of FreeWater, Josh Cliffords, coming soon.
Meet the Musicians
What's Your Reaction?
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this information for my mission.