The Walk With Me Austin project is part of a national initiative supported by the United States Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts. The initiative started in Louisville, KY in March/April 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 response where local musicians and musicians with ties to Louisville contributed to the creation of “Lift Up Louisville,” a song intended to lift the spirits of Louisvillians and remain connected during this time of social distancing while also capturing what it feels like for our community in this unprecedented moment in history. As the “Live Music Capital of the World”, the city of Austin saw how our collective voices were needed to inspire its citizens to work together and protect each other.
The scope of our project broadened in June when calls of justice over the murder of George Floyd and police brutality prompted over 450 major protests held in cities and towns across the United States and three continents. Walk With Me Austin is a reflection on this moment and an anthem to unite our community during these times of change. The song represents the diversity of people, talent, and musical genres in Austin. It acknowledges the challenges we are facing and serves as a symbol of hope to inspire our community to imagine and work towards a better future.
Special Guest Appearances by: 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), Basüra & Samuel Grey Horse
Thank you to all the individuals and organizations who made this project possible. Without the generous contributions from our donors, none of this would have been possible! The City of Austin would like to thank the following:
Anonymous, Diane Land & Steve Adler, Joshua & Amy Baer, Becky Beaver, Rick Bennett, Philip & Donna Berber, Judith & Richard Berkowitz, Suzanne Deal Booth, Penny Brandt, Las Chickas (Sarah Bird, Sharon R. Coleman,, Mandy Dealey, MelodyAnn Fullylove, Tara Elgin Holley, Saundra Kirk, Blanca Rosa Leahy, Olivia G. Walker), Polly & Lonnie Cooper, Michelle & Mark Edmunds, Hugh & Vivian Forrest, Spencer Gilliam, Roger Gordon, Kathleen & Harvey Guion, Eric Herschmann & family, Laura Hernandez Holmes & John D. Holmes, Jeff & Gail Kodosky, Marcia & Dr. Bruce Levy, Robert & Emily Lee, Ying McGuire, Jim McDermott & David Rodriguez, Tommie & Lynn Meredith, Valerie & Jeff Newberg, Graham Reynolds, Walter & Danielle Robb, Leonard & Debbie Rodell, Amy & Kirk Rudy, James Russell, Mary & Rusty Tally, Eugene Sepulveda & Steven Tomlinson, Brian Sharples & Danielle Nieciag, Six Square Black Cultural Arts District, Roy & Mary Spence, Kerry Tate, Cathy & Dwight Thompson, Robert & Jill Turner, Greg & Jessica Weaver
Special Thank You to: Kathy Smith-Willman, Marni Martinez, Amy Lombardi, Gold Rush Vinyl, Rob Sanchez, Rob Garza, Tamar Price, Erica Benken, Jim Ritts, and Ryan Matteson.
Golden Hornet is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that commissions and presents music in and out of Austin, Texas. Proceeds for this project were used to compensate local artists and organizers for their time.