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Commissioners request airport representative after reported cancellations to Austin airport music program
Summary
Commissioner Strickland requested an update from Austin-Bergstrom Airport after musicians reported recent gig cancellations and reapplication notices. Staff agreed to place an airport music-program briefing on next month’s agenda.
Commissioner Strickland asked the Austin Music Commission on May 5 to seek clarification from Austin-Bergstrom Airport about recent changes to the airport’s live-music program after several musicians reported cancellations and notices requiring reapplication.
“Since 1999, the live music program at the Austin Bergstrom Airport has served as both a sanctuary and a stage for Austin musicians,” Strickland read in a prepared statement. The statement said the airport program had provided about 1,300 performances annually and operated on an approximately $500,000 budget. It also praised long-time program manager Michael Penick and said recent staffing and management changes have caused disruptions and cancellations.
Strickland formally requested that Constance White, or a representative from the airport music program, appear before the Music Commission to clarify the airport’s current and future plans for live music programming. “We seek transparency, collaboration, and maintaining the program standards,” he said.
Erica Shamley, music and entertainment division manager representing ACME staff, told commissioners the department would add a staff update on the airport music program to next month’s agenda. “We’ve worked with Michael Penick for years and years at the music entertainment division, and so we look forward to coming back to you guys with a really productive update,” Shamley said.
Why it matters: airport gigs are a recurring income source for many local musicians, especially during hot summer months when outdoor programming is limited; cancellations can materially affect musician livelihoods and community perception of the program’s stability.
