Music for good.
Bill serves on the board of Amplify My Community — a Decatur-based 501(c)(3) that leverages the universal love of music to fight poverty at the local level.
Bill's connection
I've been part of Amplify since the very first event. In 2011, my band The Bitteroots played the inaugural Amplify show in Decatur. I've gone on to perform at and produce dozens of Amplify concerts since.
Full-circle moment: Amplify's founder Mike Killeen is also a bandmate of mine in Wolves, Lower — one of the bands on this roster.
Mission
We believe communities are strongest when everyone has a place to sleep at night, every child receives a quality education, no one is hungry, and everyone feels there's a light ahead of them.
Amplify identifies charities fighting poverty and homelessness at the local level, then throws music concerts to support them — raising new funds and awareness, growing their presence and effectiveness in the communities they serve.
How it started
On a summer day in 2010, two of Amplify's founders played a modest concert at Eddie's Attic in Decatur. Dozens of friends and family came out. When they settled with the house, the $400 they made was donated to Decatur Cooperative Ministry — a women and children's shelter down the street. The feeling was palpable.
After bringing in trusted colleagues, the team formed and applied for (and received) 501(c)(3) status from the IRS later that year. In 2011, they produced concerts in Decatur and Athens, GA — featuring Futurebirds, Matthew Kahler, and others — giving away nearly $10,000.
In 2013, founding board member Spencer Smith left an Atlanta law firm to become Amplify's first (and still only) employee — Executive Director. In 2014, the concerts were branded "Amplify."
Cities Amplify has worked in
Amplify Decatur Music Festival
The flagship event — presented by Lenz and produced in partnership with Eddie's Attic — has hosted artists including:
Net proceeds go to Decatur Cooperative Ministry (homelessness prevention, transitional and supportive housing) and the Decatur Education Foundation (resources for City Schools of Decatur students).