Houston City Council Approves New Board Members for the Houston Music Advisory Board
In a session held on Wednesday, December 6th, the City Council of Houston unanimously approved the appointment of new board members for the Houston Music Advisory Board (HMAB). The move follows the implementation of an ordinance last year that established the advisory board permanently. The HMAB acts as a crucial link between the vibrant music community in Houston and the city authorities, contributing to the economic development of local musicians and the music industry.
Comprising nine active members, the HMAB represents the diversity, interests, and expertise of Houston’s music community. Mayor Sylvester Turner commended the inaugural board’s groundbreaking work with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs over the past year, emphasizing its focus on music preservation, education, and collaboration.
Mayor Turner stated, “With the addition of four new board members and three reappointed members, I look forward to the continued support and advocacy for Houston’s dynamic music industry.”
The City Council approved the following appointments to the HMAB:
- Dria Thornton, Dria LLC
- Marissa Saenz, Rukaz Kultura (Alternate)
- Michael Moore, SLFEMP (Alternate)
Officers:
- Chair: Jason Woods (Flash Gordon Parks), Mo Better Brews
- Vice-Chair: Mark Austin, Houston Music Foundation
- Interim Secretary: Tracy DeJarnett, SongFest (Reappointed)
- Interim Treasurer: Ericka De Leon, Hip Hop Vintage Flea Market, Bgirl City
Members:
- Anna Garza, Girls Rock Camp Houston (Reappointed)
- Henry Guidry, SwishaHouse (Reappointed)
- Jagi Kaital, White Oak Music Hall
- Jason Kane, Houston Rodeo (Reappointed)
- Lupe Olivares (Alternate)
The HMAB holds regular public meetings, engaging with the music community to address key issues in advancing the local music industry. Goals for the board include presenting challenges and opportunities based on community feedback, developing policy recommendations, and encouraging registration in the Houston Music Directory.
2023 Houston Music Preservation Initiatives
Since its establishment, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) has collaborated with the HMAB to actively support the local music industry. Building on community feedback from the Fall of 2022, the board identified three focus areas: music education, collaboration, and historical preservation.
Music + Cultural Tourism Officer Gracie Chavez organized a series of panel discussions for 2023, exploring the history and preservation of Houston’s music culture. These discussions, available on the Houston Music Board website and the Donnie Houston YouTube channel, covered topics such as preserving music landmarks, encouraging more recordings and documentation, and fostering mentorships between generations of musicians.
The impact of this year’s preservation efforts was assessed in October during a Listening Session with the music community, providing real-time feedback.
For more information about the Houston Music Advisory Board and other music initiatives, please contact Gracie Chavez, Music & Cultural Tourism Officer, at 832.394.0627 or gracie.chavez@houstontx.gov.
About the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs guides the City’s cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors, and leverage private investment.
