When considering joining or renewing membership in the Montgomery Area Musicians Association (MAMA), which is due every February, people ask “What’s in it for me?”

We feel some of the most important things are the positive feelings you get from supporting the activities this organization provides in our community. Musicians encouraging/learning from other musicians, showing support for the local businesses, investing in our community, providing assistance to musicians/members/venues in times of need, offering music education workshops to work with and inspire children/young adults to create and learn through music, and partnering with local non-profits such as The Boys and Girls Club, disabled vets, and the Montgomery Area Food Bank are what it’s all about. When you support the Montgomery Area Musicians Association, you support our community.

Below is a list of some of the accomplishments made possible by our volunteers, members and supporters so far. We hope you will join us as we continue to work together for the betterment of our local music culture and for our community. You can join on the website @ www.montgomerymusicians.org, mail in your membership to 1821 Norman Bridge Rd. Mont., Al. 36104, or simply contact a MAMA volunteer.

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS OF 1/16

·  Established a relationship with Montgomery city officials to encourage them to use/promote area musicians for their events-which they have begun to do. They have employed area musicians at the Riverfront Amphitheater, the Train Shed, and other events.

·  Supported local businesses by sponsoring shows/events at their establishments and/or using their business services such as Guest House Studios, New Media Streaming, Tommy House Productions, Yeti Entertainment, PowerSounds USA, The Blue Iguana, Irish Bred Pub, The Thirsty Turtle, The Capitol City Club, Déjà vu, Riverwalk Amphitheater, Kwik Kopy Shop, The Capitol Oyster Bar, Bluewater Broadcasting, and Cumulus Broadcasting.

·  Established a website and Facebook pages to keep the public up to date on events/accomplishments/opportunities.

·  Offered free advertising and promotion to bands/offered them the opportunity to link their band pages to ours as further support.

·  Held 37 monthly MAMA jams to expose musicians of all ages to people in the community, offering a place to perform & gather experience, and encouraged musicians to meet & network.

·  Obtained approx. 2700 followers on our Facebook page with a reach in the tens of thousands.

·  Made donations to the following: Mont. Area Food Bank, the family of Jimmy Gilbert to help with burial expenses, the late Jimmy Brooks to help purchase a needed wheelchair lift (we also did an event which raised proceeds), Ray Humphrey to help pay for medical costs, the Boys & Girls Club of the River Region, the US Military Motorcycle Club, the Alcazar Shriners, and many others.

·  Used positive advocacy to help settle and resolve issues between venues & musicians.

·  Provided contracts for musicians to use as needed (on website).

·  Produced a live streamed event, “Friday Night Live”, promoting some of our musicians & our organization, which received national attention and was broadcast worldwide.

·  Booked well over 150 shows for area musicians (both members & non-members) resulting in over $100,000 of commission free revenue to area artists -MAMA has never charged booking fees to artists.

·  Many of our musicians have played benefits for those in need.

·  Held 2 highly successful MAMA Over Montgomery events promoting area musicians at the Capitol City Club.

·  Established a Music Education Committee which has held 3 workshops for students. All have earned positive reviews from the musicians, the kids and their families.

·  Established supportive partnerships with other local groups including Helicity, the Alabama Roots Music Society, the Alabama Blues & Jazz Federation and venues, such as the Creek Casino, MPAC, & local bars.

·  Supported Jazz & Blues Nights at local venues.

·  Advertised/promoted various job opportunities for musicians.

·  Encouraged/Arranged/Informed musicians of PR opportunities/performances with various media including chances to play on-air on various stations.

·  Published monthly newsletters for members.

·  Worked with Mr. Robinson, who did the WHAM page, and with Windle Jayroe who now does public band show listings at www.everythingriverregion.com.

·  Distributed hundreds of tri-folds with information about MAMA/advertising business members.

·  Provided a Legalities of the Music Industry workshop for area musicians.

·  Promoted local musicians/events through various media outlets including print, TV and radio.

·  Offered the opportunity for musicians to sell their merchandise at MAMA events.

·  Encouraged/promoted musicians who write & perform original music.

·  Built a community of passionate people to encourage, advocate and educate on the subject of music.