Council members call for co-sponsorship to revive Blues On The Green

AUSTIN (KXAN) – One month after Austin City Limits Radio canceled Blues On the Green because of rising costs, members of the Austin City Council will consider a proposal to revive the concert series.

Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison said Monday she and three other members will propose a resolution at the Feb. 15 meeting.

That resolution asks the city manager to find ways to "support and sustain... Blues on the Green as a free and publicly accessible event that showcases Austin’s live music talent."

Harper-Madison's resolution calls for the city manager to see if concert organizers would agree to co-sponsor the event with the city with the following goals:

• Sustaining a cherished Austin tradition without interruption
• Preserving free access to the public
• Ensuring diverse local musicians are provided performance opportunities
• Requiring the city’s adopted musician pay scale is observed

The resolution also requested the city manager to look at making similar co-sponsorships with other events around the city.

“Lots of the traditions and events that I experienced growing up in Austin have disappeared as this City has grown and changed. There is a significant preservation aspect to this resolution for event stakeholders who are facing rising costs. We have a responsibility to assist our live music scene, especially as they have become more financially vulnerable even with increasing engagement from our residents,” Harper-Madison said in a statement to KXAN.

Council Member Paige Ellis, Council Member Zohaib ''Zo'' Qadri, Council Member Ryan Alter are co-sponsoring the resolution.

"It is essential that our City's public performances reflect the vast spectrum of voices and artistic expressions found in every corner of our community,” said Council Member Qadri said in a statement. “This resolution is a testament to our commitment to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and culturally dynamic city for all.”