Music Moves Mountains Foundation

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Music Moves Mountains Foundation est. 2012

MOTTO: The power of music can change lives. Let’s use it to help those in need by giving hope, health, and happiness through the healing art of music. Join together with us in our mission to make music therapy, music education, and community outreach more accessible to those in need!

MMMF is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in the U.S. Charity EIN# 45-5216562

Special thank you to Pete Townshend and The Who for their donation of the usage of their song “Join Together” in our campaign video! Here is the face and inspiration behind the Foundation (circa 2012). He now is one of our own Movers and Shakers helping others in need!

MMMF Campaign Video

MMMF informational deck 2025

COMING UP!!

MMMF’s All Abilities Rock Music Fest in celebration of National Disability Independence Day taking place on Sunday, July 26^th from 1-4pm at Central Machine Works in Austin, Texas

Austin, TX – The Music Moves Mountains Foundation is hosting its inaugural All Abilities Rock Music Fest on Sunday, July 26^th in celebration of National Disability Independence Day at Central Machine Works. The Foundation’s program has been providing free, public concerts tailored for the disability community for fourteen years. This year, with the support of an Elevate grant from the City of Austin’s Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment division, MMMF will host a showcase of performing artists with various disabilities and neurodivergence from the Austin area. Featured artists are the Eddie Ray Band (Pop/Country), Yesterday & Today (Roots R&R), and Blue Mist (Soul/R&B) – all of whom have been a part of the MMMF family and been performing for many years. The Fest is free and family (and dog) friendly, with music starting at 1pm inside the Central Machine Works Beerhall located at 4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702. Central Machine Works provides free, accessible parking in front and in back (off 5^th Street) and a CapMetro Route 2 stops a few steps from the venue. An ASL interpreter will be provided as well as a livestream available on MMMF’s YouTube channel at Music Moves Mountains Foundation – YouTube .

National Disability Independence Day is celebrated annually on July 26th. It commemorates the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law that guarantees equal opportunity, access, and protections against discrimination for people with disabilities in the United States. It also has become a day of celebration that focuses on the contributions made by the disability population, as well as the need for better access, inclusion, and equity. MMMF’s All Abilities Rock program strives to make music experiences more accessible and inclusive for the community, along with supporting music artists and teachers with special needs.

BIG NEWS!!!! We are happy to announce that we will be paying tribute to the drumming legend KEITH MOON for our next annual benefit concert to celebrate his 80th! As many of you know, the inspiration behind the Foundation is my son Hudson, who has been drumming since he was given a drumkit on his first birthday. Despite all of Hudson’s challenges in life, playing drums has been his saving grace. Discovering Keith Moon was like finding his spirit animal. Keith has been a huge influence and inspiration. When we first started the Foundation in 2012, Hudson was too young to play our tribute to The Who (for helping us launch with a campaign video set to “Join Together”). Fast forward to him turning 18, he won the Keith Moon drumming challenge hosted by Drum Talk TV and is more than ready to take on drumming duties for the tribute! We now have the blessing and support of Keith’s daughter, Mandy Moon, who will be joining us, and we couldn’t be more honored! The tribute will serve as our annual benefit concert in the Fall of 2026 in Austin, TX. Stay tuned here for announcements as details unfold. In the meantime, please reach out if you would like to become a sponsor, volunteer, or partner! Email us at info@musicmovesmountains.org

Available now on CD! MMMF’s Live Mixtape, Vol. 1! Donate $25 to receive this collection of 19 select tunes from the audio vault of previous Austin benefit concerts from 2012-2024 to help support MMMF’s programs! (Click on the cover for the link to donate. Available for shipping in the USA only.)

WHAT IS THE MUSIC MOVES MOUNTAINS FOUNDATION?

MISSION STATEMENT: The Music Moves Mountains Foundation is a perpetual series of projects, programs, and services utilizing the scientifically proven powers of music to change and improve the quality of lives. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that uses tax-deductible donations to facilitate its goal in making music therapy, music education, and community outreach more accessible to those in need. MMMF’s work is a vital resource that supports both the music community and our most vulnerable populations.

WE SERVE: Children, adults, and seniors suffering mental, emotional, or physical illnesses, developmental disabilities or disorders, depression or loss, trauma or stress, as well as underserved and at-risk communities and schools. We also offer opportunities to partner with musicians, music educators, music therapists, and other charitable organizations.

OUR PROGRAMS:

“All Abilities Rock” – Free, accessible community music experiences, support for adaptive music education/mentorship, inclusive sensory-friendly concerts for children and adults with disabilities or special needs, platforms to showcase artists with disabilities.

“Play It Forward” – A cooperative effort to offer donated musical instruments, music scholarships, and mentorship to low-income or at-risk individuals who commit, in return, to donate their time and talent to someone in need.

“Feeding The Soul” – A series of musical performances and outreach at memory care and nursing homes, VA centers, rehab centers, hospice care, homeless shelters, etc.

SERVICES: Financial aid to qualifying applicants for Music Therapy services by a Board-certified Music Therapist and/or referral to an MT.

REACH: Based in Central Oklahoma and Texas, the Foundation currently is regional, but hopes to maximize access and growth nationally with the support of patrons, sponsors, and giving-institutions. Priority will be given to underserved/special needs individuals and communities based on availability of funds. We provide the community a resource that educates, empowers, strengthens and supports its citizens in need while employing local musicians, music educators, and music therapists.

Need: In America, there is a lot of support in the Northeast and on the Westcoast for Music Therapy. There is a vast gap in services and programs everywhere in between. Texas in particular does not recognize Music Therapy for state board certification which is needed for regulation and for insurance companies to cover it. Oklahoma just passed legislation to recognize MT as a practice, yet is one of only seven states in the nation that does not require insurance companies to cover therapy services for Autism Spectrum Disorder, among other disorders and disabilities. So, for many seeking Music Therapy, it can be too costly. All the while, cuts in public funding for Arts programs and special needs’ services in schools, as well as mental health services keep increasing, while healthcare costs continue to go up. Even if some therapies are covered by insurance, many are considered alternative and can be hard to qualify for. We want to fill the gap affecting marginalized populations by making music more accessible for those in need, however it fits them.

Clinically Proven Results Include:

Recovery and development of speech, memory, and motor coordination for victims of stroke, brain injuries, amnesia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Relief and healing progression for life altering diseases and pain management
Improvement of communication, focus, regulation, social and behavioral skills for Autism Spectrum Disorder/ ADD/ADHD /Sensory Processing Disorder/ Down’s Syndrome/ developmental challenges
Restoration of purpose, hope, strength, connection, and discipline to those fighting physical or substance abuse, depression, PTSD, trauma, stress, grief, anxiety, bullying, or low self-esteem
Rhythmic balance for equilibrium, seizures, tremors, stutters, or ticks