::: WE'VE GOT A SOLUTION :::

   Save Austin Music proposes more than a 'pat on the back' or charity, we are attempting to create fair compensation for work performed by stimulating the market. A plan to institutionalize fair pay would be too controversial, of course. But a community-supported campaign can create an economic surge and create fair pay. Not just for the principle of doing creating fair pay, but to ensure the continuation of this economic resource. Creativity is more than an ethereal concept that has no material value. It is the stock-in-trade that creates music, which translates to billions of dollars in Austin's economy.

   Musicians aren't the only ones who need help!

   Venue owners and music related businesses, and media are suffering from the loss of income, as well as from oversights in laws and codes.

   Austin's venue owner/operators and related small businesses are heavily taxed and subjected to certain conditions which make doing business incredibly difficult. Heavy taxes, prohibitive ordinances, and other issues make keeping the doors open for a business which supports live music incredibly difficult. Many could survive and thrive with the tax and legal incentives our city has offered to corporations and large businesses. But a united business community is required to make such changes.

   The Save Austin Music Plan: 5 Steps to recreating Austin's Music Industry

1. Have Austin City Council proclaim 2008 "The Year Of Austin Music" and recognize our organization's mission
   
2. Create a working relationship and/or forum between Austin's musicians, venue owners and operators, related small business owners, media, and local government/ City organizations to further the future economic well-being and growth of music in Austin
3. Create a public relations campaign for local media outlets as Public Service Announcements urging Austinites to "see one Austin band each month"
4. Propose and support Local and State legislation that will create financial, tax, and other incentives for Austin's music-based businesses
5. Create ongoing educational and mentor forums to increase the efficiency and success of all aspects of Austin's music and business communities, present and future

   The plan is very simple, but it's far from easy to accomplish. And it will take a concerted effort by musicians, others in the local music industry, local government, and private citizens. It's a big task but by its very nature, it will unite us as a community by bettering that community.

     The overall goal is to create Best Practices as a community and encourage all involved in it to participate in them. Imposing minimums and attempting to force them doesn't work well - especially in a "right to work" state like Texas. If the community creates its standards, it has created the interest in compying to them as well. But we're not going to "get on the same page" as a community so long as we are all trying to save our own individual businesses.

Troy Dillinger : Save Austin Music

   So please take an in-depth look at our plan in detail:

• STEP ONE
• STEP TWO
• STEP THREE
• STEP FOUR
• STEP FIVE

Please put the Save Austin Music banner on your website!!!
We will exchange links on our "supporters" page!

or copy/paste this code as HTML:
<a href="http://www.saveaustinmusic.org/"><img src="http://www.saveaustinmusic.org/images/banner_main.jpg" alt="Save Austin Music Banner" width="475" height="100" border="0" longdesc="http://www.saveaustinmusic.org" /></a>