DISTRICT DIALOGUES is a series designed to highlight, preserve, and promote the rich musical traditions and cultural history of Austin.

A quarterly event brings together artists, cultural historians, local organizations, companies, and the public to raise awareness about the importance of music heritage and its role in shaping our local Austin and Red River identity.

Dialogue #03:

Stages, Strategy & Staying Power: Building a Sustainable Music Career in Austin

PURCHASE TICKETS

This focused panel discussion and skill-share brings together local venue bookers, working musicians, and industry professionals to share real-world guidance for building sustainable music careers. The conversation centers on smarter booking strategies, budget-conscious marketing, tour finance basics, and maintaining mental health in a demanding industry. Emphasizing open dialogue and practical tools, the session is designed to support artists at every stage with actionable insights they can immediately apply within Austin’s live music ecosystem.

Key Takeaways:

Attendees can expect to:

• Develop a stronger understanding of Austin’s local music ecosystem and opportunities
• Gain insight into sustainable approaches to career growth and longevity
• Learn from shared experiences and perspectives across the music community
• Build connections and identify resources that support ongoing creative and professional development

Event Details:

Location: The 13th Floor, 711 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25th, 2026

Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. CT 

Tickets: Purchase here

Parking: Paid street parking is available, as well as, the Convention Center Parking Garage Location at 5th and Red River

Panelists: 

• Cat Pozos: Howdy Gals, Booker

Cat’s initial love for Punk and Emo music led her to explore San Antonio’s music venues, finding fellow music lovers and a vibrant local music scene along the way. After a mentorship period with Paper Tiger’s team, Cat moved to Austin to attend UT and began booking shows for KVRX and Afterglow, and working at various venues in Austin as a rep for Spune, Margin Walker, Live Nation, and Third String Productions.Day or Night, you can find Cat working away at a laptop, reading, or embroidering at Tweedy’s or Hole in the Wall’s lounge. Likes: Batman, Birding, and Board Games. Dislikes: Waking up early, pollen, and non-fiction books. Cat currently works as a part time talent buyer at Hole in the Wall and with Howdy Gals, and lends her venue production and administrative expertise across Tweedy’s, Chess Club, 29th Street Ballroom, and Hotel Vegas.

• Jimmy Vela: Touring Musician, Recover & The Sword

Santiago “Jimmy” Vela is a native Austinite who has made a living as an international touring artist and studio musician for over 25 years. He has played in bands such as The Sword and Recover, and grew up immersed in Austin’s vibrant music scene. Shaped by the city’s deep tradition of live performance, collaboration, and community, Jimmy’s career reflects the perseverance required to sustain a lifelong profession in music.

• Jamal McKinney: iLL MaNNER, Founder

Based in Austin, Texas, Jamal McKinney is a producer, SXSW Music Programmer, and the founder of iLL Manner Shows, a live music promotion and production company he launched in 2016 with a mission to elevate Austin’s hip-hop scene. In 2022, Jamal partnered with the legendary Antone’s Nightclub to program their Hip-Hop and R&B concerts, recently producing his 41st show at the venue featuring Boldy James. Recently, Jamal expanded his impact further by joining SXSW as a Music Programmer, where he oversees Hip-Hop and R&B with a focus on enhancing the experience for both artists and festival-goers. Jamal also manages Austin hip-hop standout J Soulja. Beyond his work in music, he is a devoted husband and the proud father of two daughters, Zya and Jianna.

• Pat Buchta: ATX Musicians, Founder

Patrick Buchta is an experienced political advocate, cause marketing professional, and creative leader dedicated to advancing Austin’s music, policy, and nonprofit sectors. As CEO of Austin Texas Musicians, he has built one of Central Texas’s most influential advocacy networks, uniting over 6,000 musicians to drive policy reform, strengthen economic opportunities, and preserve the cultural heartbeat of the Live Music Capital of the World. With a decade at KVUE Media Group leading community partnerships and philanthropic initiatives—including the award-winning “Texas Strong: Harvey Can’t Mess with Texas” benefit concert—Patrick brings deep expertise in strategic communications, public policy, and entertainment-driven cause marketing. A liver transplant recipient, composer, and performer, Patrick’s work embodies resilience and service. He currently serves on the City of Austin Downtown Commission (District 6) and the Texas Music Museum Board of Directors, continuing his lifelong mission to amplify creative voices and champion meaningful civic engagement.

MC/ Moderator: 

• Trish Connelly: The Nothing Song, Founder

Moving to Austin, TX at the tail end of 2011, Trish Connelly has been booking live music shows and collaborative events in the city for over a decade. Calling home to venues like Hotel Vegas, Chess Club and Cheer Up Charlies, Connelly also started an independent record label under the moniker The Nothing Song Records in 2018 with national artists as well as freelance music and film writing projects to physical and virtual outlets. She also extends her marketing and social media coordination to LEVITATION/Austin Psych Fest. 

Other Event Features:

• Pelon’s Tex Mex Taco pop-up
• Beverages available for purchase including Skullcap Coffee pop-up
• Artist Resources Featuring: 
  • ATX Musicians 
  • Night Owl Therapy

Proceeds from the event will go to support the Red River Cultural District and its mission to preserve and grow Red River’s unique heritage and culture, while strengthening ties with the downtown venues, businesses, and communities. Specifically these funds will be invested in future District Dialogue events. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, all donations to our organization are tax deductible with donations accepted year-round.

ABOUT: 

The Red River Cultural District, District Dialogues is a series designed to highlight, preserve, and promote the rich musical traditions and cultural history of Austin. This quarterly event brings together artists, cultural historians, local organizations, companies and the public to raise awareness about the importance of cultural and music heritage and its role in shaping our local Austin and Red River identity.