Houston's music scene is getting a heavy dose of local love with the recent additions to the Houston Music Advisory Board (HMAB), a group making moves to amp up H-Town's music creds. Mayor Sylvester Turner sang high praises for the city's musical maintenance, noting their solid efforts in music preservation, education, and collaboration, all to the tune of economic development for the local scene. Despite being a city of chart-toppers, Houston is aiming to boost its homegrown talent in coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs—the ultimate backstage pass for the city's cultural expansions.
The City Council has dropped the beat with the latest lineup of music moguls and local leaders, key players who are now officially on the HMAB after the Wednesday, December 6th, approval. A mix of new names and reappointed faces will be turning up the volume in Houston’s diverse music landscape. Included in the roster atop the HMAB as chair and vice chair are Jason Woods and Mark Austin, with Tracy DeJarnett and Ericka De Leon as officers. As reported by Houston's newsletter, the members are expected to serve as liaisons, bridging gaps and tuning into the local vibe of H-Town's music industry.
Following their appointment, these music industry gurus will tackle key issues affecting local musicians and industry players. On their list are challenges and opportunities as identified by the community itself, seeking to develop policies that are music to the ears of the industry's grassroots. The HMAB isn’t just about talk; they've got plans for action. This includes an encore push for Houston music preservation, fostering a stronger music education network and promoting collaborations that could see the city's sound hit all the right notes.
And let's not skip a beat on the efforts to preserve the unique soundtrack of Houston itself. Last fall, Houston’s musicians gave the city their wishlist, and topics like historical preservation got top billing. Riding on these melodies, panel discussions hosted by Music + Cultural Tourism Officer Gracie Chavez struck chords on the importance of safeguarding music landmarks and inspiring cross-genre mentorships. These music board sessions, live and ready for replay on various online platforms, are more than just a playlist; they’re a community's collective voice, according to the City of Houston.
