SXSW: Doing More

In the heart of the “Live sound capitol” South by Southwest brings in 9 days full of interactivity, films and of course music. This 9-day event stretches all across Downtown Austin. Year after year, SXSW brings in thousands of visitors to the Austin area. Visitors pour in from all areas of the U.S. ready to hit the streets for good times and great music. This year, SXSW celebrates its 25^th year anniversary. Once I thought the creators and sponsors of the festival couldn’t out do themselves, they prove me wrong.

While visiting their website, I noticed, they now give out non-profit scholarship. SXSW Interactive selected the five most innovative ideas and awarded. One of this year’s winners is Erika Righter for Concert for Kids. As a recipient, you receive a free SXSW Interactive badge (a $750 value) to give to their designated non-profit in order to attend the SXSW Interactive Festival. This allows the non-profit attendees to interact and meet innovators in media and technology. Applying for the scholarship, candidates and their supporters must write a 300-word essay explaining what the designated organization does and the challenges it faces. The essay should also focus on how the organization will use technology and media to further its goals beyond fundraising.

This is excellent news for my company as well as all other not for profit organizations out there. Feed Your Ears. Feed Your Ears is a non-profitable organization based out of Austin, Texas. Their mission: to inspire the world to raise awareness and fight hunger by integrating music and education, will be applying for the scholarship next year.  The scholarship would allow Feed Your Ears to make more connections, both locally and nationally. We’d use the opportunities to learn new methods of technology, while integrating the new technology to help market and promote Feed Your Ears.  Although, social media is a great to reach out to your target market, solely it’s not enough. Feed Your Ears will take the knowledge we learn and expand on it.

Look for Feed Your Ears at SXSW in 2012.  Feed You Ears! Support the movement or start your own. Music is powerful. Let it speak to those who are less fortunate. Lets change the world, one ear at a time!

To read more, please visit http://sxsw.com/node/5634

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Music is Medicine, Music is Sanity

Robert Gupta discusses the well-known story of Nathaniel Ayers. Nathaniel Ayers, a Julliard trained musician suffering from paranoia schizophrenia. His story became a book, which then came the move Soloist. While performing with Ayers, Gupta recognizes how music is medicine and while listening to the passionate message, so did I. It doesn’t matter what mood I am in, music always reflects it. The very cd in my car can tell you exactly how I am feeling. Music is uplifting. I now know I need music, but I also know that music needs me.

            Finding my way into the music industry has been difficult. There has been many times where I just want to give up. At those times, I often think I am capable of settling for a regular 9-5 job. I’m willing to give up on what I’ve worked extremely hard to get in to.  However, when I try, I always bounce back to music. No matter the struggle, I fight. I fight to one day make it in to the entertainment business.

            After reviewing the video, I know that I cannot just walk away. I need music. I need music, not only in my day-to-day life, but I need music in my career. That’s the only way I will ever be content. I also know that music needs me.

In what many would call the “dying” age of music, music needs me to buy, sell and promote music. It needs me to bring life and change to the industry. It needs me to use it to make a difference in others.

Robert Gupta’s speech was extremely passionate and inspirational to both, the crowd and me. It inspired me to never give up. Although Nathaniel let paranoia schizophrenia limit his capabilities, he still relies on music to keep in sane. Like Nathaniel, music is my medicine. I often overdose from it. I can’t get enough!

Robert Gupta: Music is medicine, music is sanity | Video on TED.com

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