Tampa Bay Musicians Co-Op Unites Music and Artists

Music is a unifying medium, with its ability to spark friendships and elicit memories of moments frozen in time. 

The same can be said for the musicians as well. Get a bunch of them together in one place, and often they find kinship and camaraderie with each other through their love of music.

That’s where the Tampa Bay Musicians Co-Op comes in.

Founded by longtime musician Regina AaMacha roughly a year ago, the co-op unties local artists, fans and venues to provide a perfect match for all three, and it’s all free of charge. 

“We help musicians make money by getting them gigs, giving lessons, assisting with promotions and so forth,” said AaMacha, who has been a musician for over 30 years. 

"It's a support group where musicians help support each other."

Born Out of a Love of Music and Musicians 

AaMacha has been in and around the music business for more than three decades, both as a musician and venue owner. 

She knows from experience that matching the artist with the arena is vital. Put the wrong musician in the wrong venue, and it can strike a sour note for everyone involved. 

“The most important thing we do is get the right music for the right place. Not every artist is perfect for every place.” 

“I work closely with the venues to figure out what they want,” she adds. “Then I break it down for the musicians so they understand what they are walking in to.” 

AaMacha has a client list of 30 venues, including most of the bars and restaurants in town, and she has a database of more than 100 artists to draw from to create the perfect match for all parties. 

She even helps promote the acts, by creating posters, duplicating CDs and assisting with their marketing, all for a monthly fee of $25, which she returns by giving members a gift card to her adjoining restaurant, the Fleur de Lis Patio Café.

“I do all of this work for free, and I don’t mind doing it,” she admits. 

Matching Musicians with Other Musicians 

In addition to matching musicians with venues, the co-op also unites musicians with one another. 

“I played music for a long time, but then I stopped,” Charles Alexander, a retired Countryside resident, recalls. “But after I got in touch with Regina, she gave me a chance to play again. She revitalized my whole musical spirit.” 

Suzanne La’Rue echoed Alexander’s sentiments. 

“I found this on Facebook when I was living in Panama City. One of the first things I did when I moved here three months ago was to join the co-op,” she says. “It’s a great way to network and meet people with similar interests.” 

"It's really an awesome thing (Regina's) doing."

Thanks to the co-op, Alexander has played more than 50 gigs in less than a year, and he and La’Rue were already collaborating on some tunes despite having just met that day. 

Kayla Lee, a 19-year-old violinist and guitar player who moved here from Tampa five months ago, credits the co-op with fostering her musical and social skills.

“If it wasn’t for Regina, I wouldn’t be doing this,” said Lee, who also works at the café. “It’s enabled me to be more confident and creative.” 

AaMacha wasn’t sure if her vision would be successful. She just knew it was something she needed to do for her love of music and musicians.

“I didn’t plan this at all. I didn’t know if it would work,” she admits. “I just wanted to have a place where musicians could go and help support each other." 

Tampa Bay Musicians Co-Op/Fleur de Lis Patio Cafe

Address: 737 Main St. (behind Tapping the Vine)

Phone: 727-742-8333

Hours: Cafe: Wed - Sat, 11am - 11pm; Co-Op: call for meeting times