Austin Musicians Say 'Walk With Me' Amid Coronavirus Uncertainty

AUSTIN, TX — Musicians have always possessed an innate ability to chronicle the human condition. Amid uncertain times substantially altered by the coronavirus, dozens of local artists have joined forces to musically reflect on the timbre of current times that have temporarily banished them from stages and venues given the need for physical distancing to blunt illness spread.

The result of this en masse reflection is “Walk with Me,” a powerful anthem created to inspire and unite the city dubbing itself the "live music capital of the world" during a pivotal time in history. The production now is available for download and streaming starting today in an effort to infuse hope in challenging times, organizers wrote in an emailed advisory.

The project is part of a national initiative supported by the United States Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts. The initiative began in Louisville, Kentucky, in the midst of the COVID-19 response with the creation of “Lift Up Louisville,” organizes explained. The scope of the project broadened in June when calls of justice over the murder of George Floyd and police brutality prompted protests to ignite in cities across the U.S., officials added.

Watch the "Walk With Me" music video

The initiative also was sparked after organizers sensed a need to voice how the community saw how its collective voice was needed to inspire residents to work together and protect each other in joining a fight for betterment, organizers described.

Conceptualized by Mayor Steve Adler and his wife Diane Land, and produced by GRAMMY Award-winning musician Adrian Quesada, “Walk with Me” is a community collaboration of Austin’s philanthropic creatives from the realms of music, film and dance, organizers noted.

"The effort is symbolic of love and support from Austinites for Austinites and is a reminder that those within the Austin community are not alone, and by banding together the city has the power to heal and move forward toward a better future together," officials wrote.

Now available for purchase and download on all digital platforms worldwide, all net profits from “Walk with Me” purchases will benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), an organization that provides access to affordable healthcare for Austin's low-income, working musicians.

Support Health Alliance for Austin Musicians

On Thursday at 2 p.m., the music video for “Walk with Me” will debut on YouTube following a special message from Mayor Adler and Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, President of Huston-Tillotson University. The community is encouraged to register for the YouTube video debut by visiting “Walk with Me” Austin’s Facebook event page or Golden Hornet’s YouTube page.

“ ‘Walk With Me’ captures the spirit of Austin’s culture — one that shines in both the best and most challenging of times,” Adler and Lane said in a joint statement. “Music is in our DNA. This project lifts us all up and gives back to musicians affected by this pandemic."

The production features a who's who of acclaimed local talent across myriad musical genres, including: Magna Carda, Graham Reynolds, Tee Double, Charlie Sexton, Adrian Quesada, Sam Houston, Nick Clark, Gina Chavez, JJ Johnson, Mélat, Erika Wennerstrom, Kelsey Wilson, Tameca Jones, AJ Vallejo, Alex Vallejo, Alex Maas, Jim Eno, Kathy Valentine, Shakey Graves, Stephanie Hunt, Loulou Ghelichkani, John Michael, & Josh Blue of Night Glitter, Jackie Venson, Zeala and Phranchyze of Blackillac, DJ Orion, Jaime Ospina, Ruben Ramos, Beto Martinez, Jose Galeano, Matthew Holmes, Tiarra Girls, Anthony Farrell, Andrew Trube, Mela Dailey, Peter Bay, Kalu James, Lauren Cervantes, Angela Miller, Alexis Buffum, Abhi the Nomad, Grooveline Horns’ Carlos Sosa, Fernando Castillo & Raul Vallejo.

Acclaimed musician Jackie Venson is among the artists involved in the "Walk With Me" production reflecting on today's pivotal moment in history. Courtesy photo by Ismael Quintanilla III.

Special guest appearances in “Walk with Me” include: Russ Hartman, Healthcare Workers of Austin, Hope 4 Hip Hop/Bboy City (Romeo Navarro, Omar Davila, Roger Davis, Daniel Valadez, Armando Vargas and Liam Garcia), and Basüra & Samuel Grey Horse.

Noted musician Mélat is among the artists contributing to the "Walk With Me" production. Courtesy photo.

“The song to us means that the city of Austin is coming together during these times of the world flipping and the country is beginning to face its painful history of deep rooted racism, and to also understand for anyone willing to join, that this is a long journey ahead,” Megz Kelli of Magna Carda said in a prepared statement.

The “Walk with Me” initiative is supported by community organizations like I Live Here, I Give Here and Texas-based corporate partners such as YETI and Siete Family Foods, as well as local volunteers and community members from Austin. To watch the music video, visit Facebook or YouTube. To listen and download "Walk With Me Austin," click here.

Courtesy image.

About "Walk With Me" Austin

“Walk with Me” is a song reflecting on this moment in time and an anthem to unite the community in Austin, Texas. It represents the diversity of people, talent, and musical genres in Austin and acknowledges the challenges the city and its residents are facing during these difficult times and serves as a symbol of hope to inspire the community to imagine and work toward a better future together.

For more information, visit walkwithmeaustin.com and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at #WalkWithMeAustin and #WalkWithMeATX.