Austin-based Nonprofit HOME Seeks New Executive Director; Expands Services

Austin-based nonprofit HOME (Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers) announces they’re seeking to hire their first Executive Director in early 2025 to help continue expanding their services. After twelve years of being led by an all-volunteer team of music icons and industry titans like Marcia Ball, Nancy Coplin, and so many others, HOME is embarking on a new chapter to better support aging musicians in Austin with an impending expansion including new staff and additional grants available.

HOME was initially founded as a means to help a fellow musician, Miss Lavelle White after she moved back to Austin. She had no place to stay and no performances lined up. These remarkable women recognized the need for there to be a resource for aging musicians and stepped in to establish HOME. Through the nonprofit, they are able to provide financial grant assistance to musicians over the age of 55. They currently have more than 30 full-time clients and have given out hundreds of 500-dollar one-time Emergency Grants. In bringing on an Executive Director, HOME can push its mission further than ever before and increase its capacity to assist more musicians who have significantly contributed to Austin’s “Live Music Capital of the World.”

Additionally, HOME has launched a series of events hosted at their longtime supporter, The Saxon Pub (located at 1320 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704) by Board Member Kimmie Rhodes. This series, launched in September, is a continuation of a series launched in 2023, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting HOME. Lineups and details will be posted on the Saxon Pub website as they are confirmed. Please see here for more details and information.

HOME Nonprofit show flyer

The 2024 series launched with “Mr. Texas Night,” featuring author Larry Wright alongside Gordon Wright and Marcia Ball, telling stories and swapping songs. Upcoming shows include BMI Night with Ray Benson with Kimmie and Mitch Ballard Co-Hosting, Pianorama, and the Happyland Band. For those wishing to support HOME’s very important mission, you can make a donation in any amount at the HOME website. HOME will be launching an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise a ‘runway’ for the next three years of expansion – allowing them to build out staff and fundraising capacity for their expanded programs. For more information on HOME, please visit www.homeaustin.org.

HOME Board President Hanna Cofer states:

“HOME wouldn’t have made it this far without the generous support of those who love Austin music and want to ease the challenges these legends face. From untangling miles of cords at multi-day garage sales to raise funds for client rent to tuning into our annual pandemic virtual holiday party with musicians from all over the country to show your support, we see you, and we look forward to expanding our impact with you.”

HOME Board Member Marsha Milam adds:

“We believe that these artists, who have contributed immensely to our community and the city’s reputation as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World,’ deserve support as they face the challenges of aging, reduced opportunities, or health issues. We want to ensure that these long-time contributors, who have brought substantial revenue to Austin while often earning modest wages, can enjoy their later years with dignity and housing security.”

HOME Nonprofit logo square

HOME Founder and Board Vice President Nancy Coplin comments:

“Having been involved in the Austin music community for over 35 years, it has become clear to me that many of our wonderful musicians, who put Austin on the musical map, are now in need of help. Falling through the cracks of higher rents, fewer gigs and major health issues, they can no longer sustain their housing situations and need assistance. HOME was established 12 years ago to help just one performer, Ms. Lavelle White. As we continued to support her the need became quite evident that more and more aging musicians needed help. HOME stepped up and created this organization to do just that.”

HOME Founder Marcia Ball states:

“Here’s what people don’t understand about being a professional musician: You’re supporting your family and yourself. Musicians often don’t have a safety net. You might not have any savings. There’s no pension. And in some cases, there’s not even Social Security because you didn’t actually have a payroll job. You never did payroll, so you’re really flat on your feet. That’s where HOME comes in.”

Regarding her experience with HOME, musician Rosie Flores states:

“I was blown away. It was almost like having a mom and a dad, you know? It’s like, ‘You need some grocery money? You need some help? Here you go. We love you here. You know we’re going to help you.’”

Musician and HOME client Omar Kent Dykes says:

“In 2017 I had to quit playing music. I’d been a musician all my life, After suffering some hard times, but HOME stepped up to the plate and has been helping us ever since and I appreciate it so much because I couldn’t make it without them.”