On Feb. 12, Gov. Greg Abbott added an endorsement to his website from the Music Venue Alliance of Texas, claiming to represent “over 800 music venues across the state.”

“Governor Abbott has always been a champion for us. If it weren’t for his efforts to reopen Texas, over 500 small live music venues across our great state would have remained closed,” writes MVA-T co-founder and chairman Edwin Cabaniss in the statement. “We witnessed how this negatively impacted our peers in other states. Governor Abbott also played a key role in leading the bipartisan Texas Music Incubator Rebate program. This initiative is a game-changer that will support Texas venues with over $200 million in funding over the next decade, ensuring that our Texas music and culture continue to thrive.”

Shortly after publication of this story, Music Venue Alliance Austin, a separate entity from Music Venue Alliance Texas, shared with the Chronicle a statement provided to its membership after Abbott shared MVA-T’s endorsement. It reads, in part:

“MVA Austin did not issue, authorize, or participate in any political endorsement. Since our founding, we have maintained a policy of political neutrality out of respect for the diverse perspectives within our membership. Austin’s music community represents a wide range of personal beliefs, and we do not believe it is appropriate for the organization to speak on behalf of individual members in electoral matters.”

James Moody, owner of Mohawk, which was listed as a founding member of the MVA-T, was confused when reached by the Chronicle for comment. He didn’t remember being a part of such an organization, much less being consulted on an endorsement. 

“We weren’t involved,” Moody wrote. “I was never contacted or asked about it.” He also reminded the Chronicle, “I’m also notorious for staying away from politics.” 

Of the supposed 800 music venues represented by the alliance, only 30 were listed on the organization’s website, including Austin staples Antone’s, Flamingo Cantina, Carousel Lounge, and Paramount Theatre. Curiously, Margin Walker, the booking company that preceded Resound Presents, was also listed on the site. Shortly after the Chronicle reached out to Cabaniss, the members list was removed from the website altogether. Cabaniss did not respond to the Chronicle’s request for comment.

Resound Presents co-founder Graham Williams told the Chronicle he remembers a Zoom call with Cabaniss and others during the tumultuous beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when venue owners and other music industry professionals were looking to organize and support one another. Several other organizations, like the National Independent Venue Association, arose at this time and maintain an active presence in the scene, releasing annual reports and advocating for venues.

The language on MVA-T’s website remains closely tied to COVID and events and mission statements do not appear to have been updated since early 2020. 

“I didn’t realize they kept it going or [were] active,” wrote Williams. 

Carousel Lounge owner Nicki Mebane did not know her venue was considered a member, nor was she notified of the endorsement message, she told the Chronicle. Paramount Theatre did not respond to requests for comment, but is now operated by the nonprofit Austin Theater Alliance – which, as a 501(c)3, is prohibited from making political endorsements. Antone’s and Flamingo Cantina did not respond to requests for comment. 

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include a statement from Music Venue Alliance Austin, and to correct the spelling and gender of Nicki Mebane. It also clarifies that Margin Walker and Resound Presents, while helmed by similar leadership, are separate entities.

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