MUSIC UNITES US!

G.I.G. is a live music non-profit created BY musicians FOR musicians and music lovers like you. 

Amazingly, the rate for live music at local establishments hasn’t gone up since the early 80’s – still hovering around $100 for a 2-3 hour show on average. When you include drive time, setup and tear-down, the fee is often well below minimum wage.

Our mission is to CHANGE all that.  We do this by partnering with small venues, bars & restaurants starting in Austin, TX then across the country to create a new touring network for qualified, independent, hard working artists.

Venue partners pay an affordable annual fee to supplement their current monthly live music programs and our vetted, highly-skilled, original artists get paid a living wage by tax free donations from corporations, sponsors and individuals! Focused on the next generation of world class singer/songwriters, we’re forging a viable pathway from “open mic beginner” to “paid professional” – redefining artist development and creating a legitimate career path for qualified live musicians.

There are no shortcuts to 10,000 hours…We believe that those who have put in the time deserve to make a sustainable living. The best part is the world will receive beautiful music in return. Get involved to receive backstage access to the change we wish to see.

Please join us in unifying artists, venues & communities through the power of live music!

MEET THE FOUNDER

Taylor Alexander is not your ordinary singer/songwriter. This multifaceted artist is a dynamic force – renowned for his familiar yet fresh melodies, thought-provoking lyrics and unwavering commitment to making a difference – through music. With a voice that soothes the mind and lyrics that touch the soul, Taylor’s music is a journey through the human experience. From heartfelt ballads to energizing anthems, the Cincinnati native (named after folk legend, James Taylor) tells stories of love, resilience, sorrow and self-discovery – leaving listeners captivated and inspired.

Taylor learned guitar in middle school and began playing college campuses and coffee houses in his late teens. His career gained momentum in his early 20’s as bandmate to sister Mia Carruthers (of The Bright Light Social Hour), the star from MTV’s Taking the Stage in 2009. Lived in LA 2014-2020 releasing 4 EP’s, multiple singles and performed over 1500 shows from LA’s Globe Theatre, Chicago’s Laugh Factory, Dallas’s Weismann Center to Spotify’s New York City HQ – and several hundred venues in between.

Taylor is the visionary and founder of GIG. He is currently working full-time as live musician in Austin, TX. 

In 2020, COVID-19 shut down live music globally, Los Angeles was hit particularly hard. Taylor and other musicians way of life was completely compromised. Soon thereafter, a chance meeting with Professor Alan Tratner, (co-founder of Earth Day & green2gold) spawned inspiration, and ultimately, an idea: the Gifted Individuals Guild was born! 

G.I.G. was created in April 2022 thanks to Prof. Tratner, fellow musician/friend Justin Haley (Secretary), show runner for Cincinnati’s premier live music venue Ghost Baby, and Morgan Barnhart (Treasurer). A music lover whose generous donation helped found this organization. 

Taylor Alexander’s music is not just about entertainment; it’s a catalyst for change.

Taylor Alexander is not your ordinary singer/songwriter. This multifaceted artist is a dynamic force – renowned for his familiar yet fresh melodies, thought-provoking lyrics and unwavering commitment to making a difference – through music. With a voice that soothes the mind and lyrics that touch the soul, Taylor’s music is a journey through the human experience. From heartfelt ballads to energizing anthems, the Cincinnati native (named after folk legend, James Taylor) tells stories of love, resilience, sorrow and self-discovery – leaving listeners captivated and inspired.

Taylor learned guitar in middle school and began playing college campuses and coffee houses in his late teens. His career gained momentum in his early 20’s as bandmate to sister Mia Carruthers (of The Bright Light Social Hour), the star from MTV’s Taking the Stage in 2009. Lived in LA 2014-2020 releasing 4 EP’s, multiple singles and performed over 1500 shows from LA’s Globe Theatre, Chicago’s Laugh Factory, Dallas’s Weismann Center to Spotify’s New York City HQ – and several hundred venues in between.

Taylor is the visionary and founder of GIG. He is currently working full-time as live musician in Austin, TX. 

In 2020, COVID-19 shut down live music globally, Los Angeles was hit particularly hard. Taylor and other musicians way of life had been compromised. Soon thereafter, a chance meeting with Professor Alan Tratner, co-founder of Earth Day & green2gold (World renowned nonprofit incubator) spawned a conversation, inspiration, and ultimately, an idea: the Gifted Individuals Guild was born! 

G.I.G. was created in April 2022 thanks to Prof. Tratner, fellow musician and friend Justin Haley (Secretary), show runner for Cincinnati’s premier live music venue Ghost Baby, and Morgan Barnhart (Treasurer). A music lover whose generous donation helped found this organization. 

Taylor Alexander’s music is not just about entertainment; it’s a catalyst for change.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT 

 

 1. Build a public benefit nonprofit organization by live musicians for live musicians. In order to create a new framework, foundation & support system that rightfully employs & empowers the future generations of independent, original live musicians/artists globally. 

Establish AND sustain live music’s role in society as a utility.  

G.I.G. will utilize all means to communicate, educate and facilitate its missions via multimedia, public service announcement mechanisms, events, publications, social media and innovative approaches of connecting with our focus audiences. G.I.G. will welcome and pursue philanthropic, business and public support for our initiatives and projects, and will operate in a sustainable and socially responsible manner with direction from our governance Board of Directors.

2. Strategically partner with independent chefs, restaurateurs,  entrepreneurs (venues) of proven establishments to connect communities through local food and international music/entertainment. 

3. Establish a Junior Mentorship Program that incubates amateur, talented individuals with high potential, provides mentorship and “in field” training with veteran members of G.I.G.

4. Create and implement a collegiate recruitment program that travels to universities anywhere. Spreading awareness of the power of live music, the ways we can utilize it + new technology to make a difference in our environment. Additionally, to scout for new talent for our Junior Mentorship and guild membership. 

5. Create a model for Student Music Education for K-12 to bring music therapy, music classes + teachers back into the classroom with focus on mental health and frequency globally. 

6. Utilize our unique group of talent, passion and performance expertise to engage and assist a vast array of environmentally conscious initiatives globally, in partnership with green2gold.