BMI To Open Creative Office In Austin, Texas

BMI will expand its presence in Texas with the opening of its first creative office in Austin in 2019, the company has announced.

The new office will allow BMI to work directly with songwriters, composers, publishers and emerging songwriter/artists in the Austin music community and help enhance their ability to earn a living by writing music. Temporary office space has been identified and BMI is aiming to open its permanent office in either the Business District or South Congress area by March of 2019.

The Austin team will report to Nashville-based BMI Vice President, Creative, Jody Williams, and BMI Assistant Vice President, Creative, Mason Hunter. BMI is currently conducting a search for the Creative exec to lead the Austin office.

The BMI office is being opened with the support of Governor Abbott and the Texas Music Office and Entrepreneur Gary Keller, co-founder of the Austin Music Movement, who is signing on as a key sponsor of BMI’s Texas music initiatives.

“Today we are proud to announce that BMI’s support of Texas songwriters, composers and music publishers will become even more Texas-focused,” said Governor Abbott. “This capital investment expansion represents a real commitment to continue Texas’ rise as a music industry business center. I thank the Texas Music Office for their work in making this expansion possible and look forward to working with BMI to grow our thriving music industry.”

Mike O’Neill, President and CEO of BMI, added, “BMI has been active in the Texas music community for decades, and as their creative community has grown, we’ve grown along with them. Having a permanent presence in Austin is the next logical step, and we look forward to building on our many relationships within the industry to help give Texas songwriters all the support they need to create their greatest music. We’re thrilled to call Austin our newest home.”

“BMI has a long track record of music industry community building in cities such as Nashville and Atlanta, and we look forward to working with them as they continue their work here in Texas,” said Texas Music Office Director Brendon Anthony. “BMI’s move to Austin represents a significant investment towards supporting Texas songwriters and their compositions. We are proud to welcome BMI and will work alongside them to increase opportunities for Texas musicians in the years to come.”

“The new BMI office adds to the incredible momentum we’re seeing behind the growing Austin Music Movement,” added Keller. “Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World and having a company like BMI, with the support of Governor Abbott, establish a presence in our city helps further our efforts to support local music and provide resources to the many great musicians who call Austin home.”

The Austin office is the newest location for BMI, which currently has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, London, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].

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