It’s been a busy couple of months around here (and everywhere we’ve been), but we’re ready to introduce you to more members of our UnderDogs community!
Our Have You Met…? series returns Thursday, June 26, and will feature interviews from three hand-picked artistpreneurs from within the greater UMC universe. Livestreamed from Helping Our Music Evolve in East Nashville, audience members have a choice to join us in person locally, or catch the magic from anywhere in the world on our YouTube channel.
Joining us for this edition of ‘Have You Met…?’ will be…
Lord Goldie, Nashville-based hip hop artist, producer, manager, and one-half of Da’ Healerz.
Brother Dusty, Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist and performer.
Fresh off the heels of their latest Heal Talk Experience, UMC NEXT2RISE artist Da’ Healerz have another opportunity to spread the message of Heal Hop.
The Nashville-based duo — comprised of Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca — will be a part of the Nashville’s Got Soul Community Showcase. The event — taking place Friday, June 27 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) — “brings together 15 local artists, including poets, musicians, and DJs, for an unforgettable evening that celebrates Black Music Appreciation Month through storytelling, genre-bending artistry, and soul-filled connection.”
Nashville’s Got Soul is presented in partnership by NMAAM and Soul’d Creative Collective. Tickets range between $5-15, and include student and friends & family discounts.
The questions are fresh. The perspective is deeper.
Da’ Healerz Circle is BACK!
Join Da’ Healerz for their latest conversation on all things healing. This week, Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca sit down with community builder, environmental activist, and father Ron Obasi, who shares the ways life’s journey has led him to a more mindful place.
For too long, the music industry has been overrun by gatekeepers who have limited the reach and influence of independent artists. We’re here to create a new music industry Where Creators Have the Power. Through key local, national, and international partnerships, we connect creators across genres, disciplines, and markets, inspiring fresh collaborations and meaningful opportunities – anywhere music is made!
Since 2013, Underground Music Collective has provided independent artists with the resources they need to build sustainable, values-based careers from their creative pursuits. Our Nashville-based educational and multimedia platform has established a key presence in markets across North America through multimedia content, live music experiences, the UMC Academy artist mentorship program, and the UMC UnderDogs community.
Our efforts have received recognition from industry-leading brands and organizations, including SXSW, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Departure Conference, MusicRow Magazine, and many more. In 2025, this widespread recognition has led to multiple invitations for UMC to affect positive change on a global scale.
What is UnderDogs Across Borders?
With UnderDogs Across Borders, we aim to open the gateway to even greater collaboration. Your support bolsters UMC’s presence at major conferences and festivals in North America and Europe, while helping us build a stronger, more sustainable music industry that is ripe with fresh opportunities.
Our groundbreaking Q1 2025 featured major conference appearances, media opportunities, and the official launch of our new UnderDogs virtual community. This has established Underground Music Collective as an international super-connector for independent musicians, creative professionals, and notable brands.
By supporting UnderDogs Across Borders, you ensure that we accomplish our remaining 2025 goals, including:
Increased presence at major industry events in key markets, including Departure Conference & Festival (Toronto, ON), Music Biz 2025 (Atlanta, GA), SXSW London (London, UK), Gussapolooza (Greater Toronto, ON), Confluence (Charlotte, NC), and NOLA MusiCon (New Orleans, LA).
Increased visibility in the United States, Canada, and Europe for our robust network of sponsors, community partners, and creative professionals.
Increased cross-market collaborations (in-person and virtual) between our NEXT2RISE Artist Ambassadors.
500 new UMC UnderDogs members by Sept. 1, 2025.
Click here now to donate and learn more about the rewards you receive for contributing to our mission.
Curious what some of our UnderDogs have to say about how UMC has helped them? Watch this!
If you’re in Nashville, we invite you to join us tonight at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1), for Have You Met…? Live!
Be a part in our live studio audience as we broadcast exclusive interviews with UMC UnderDogs like Terri Lynn, Ender Bowen, and Roz Malone. Hosted by Joe Baze, co-founder of the Ether Community Co-op.
Then, join us from 7-9 p.m. for our first-ever Meet-a-Mentor round robin, where you’ll have the opportunity for one-on-one guidance with experienced music industry professionals including…
Aaron Stepp, Ph.D., composer, performer, and music technologist
Cidney Grady, artist manager for SymbaSyd
Gerard Longo, Founder/CEO of Underground Music Collective
Nicolas Soul, performing artist and founder of NuRenaissance Media
TRANE Spitta, performing artist and performance royalties expert.
Space is limited, and mentor signups will occur on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to arrive early!
Can’t make it in person? No problem — we’re livestreaming the Have You Met…? portion of the evening on YouTube — and we’ll be including a *very* speciall announcement about the exciting future of UMC and our UnderDogs community. Be sure to tune in below!
Tickets are on sale now for UnderDogs @ The Underdog, our songwriter night and networking mixer in celebration of our community.
Join us at The Underdog Nashville (3208 Gallatin Ave.), as long-time friends of UMC join a handful of our 2025 NEXT2RISE artists to showcase the talent and versatility within our community.
6 p.m.: Doors open and networking begins! 7 p.m.: ARREIS, Kfhox, Timothy Myles, Virtues 8 p.m.: Adam Lawrence of The Mad Sugars, Da’ Healerz, Kelsey Muse, Nicolas Soul
The rumors are true! We’ll make our return to the Nashville live scene on Wednesday, April 30 when we present UnderDogs @ The Underdog,’ a songwriter showcase and networking mixer in celebration of our new Underdogs community!
Multiple NEXT2RISE artists — including Da’ Healerz, Nicolas Soul, and Kelsey Muse — will be featured alongside other longtime friends of UMC. $10 is the price of admission… but UnderDogs members already have a spot on the guest list!
The full lineup is below! If you’re not an UnderDogs member yet, now is a great time to join and have your ticket included in your membership!
6 p.m.: Doors open for networking! 7 p.m.: ARREIS, Kfhox, Timothy Myles, Virtues 8 p.m.: Adam Lawrence, Da’ Healerz, Kelsey Muse, Nicolas Soul
Want to help build awareness of Underground Music Collective — and even earn some cash while you do it?
Today, we’re announcing our UMC Ambassador program, an affiliate marketing program that lets members of our community earn revenue for referring new customers to exclusive Underground Music Collective merchandise and services.
“The creation and launch of our UMC Ambassador program allows us to diversify the people who share UMC products and services, with the ultimate goal of growing a stronger ecosystem for independent creatives.,” said Gerard Longo, Underground Music Collective Founder and CEO. “We are always looking for new ways to grow and adapt in an ever-changing landscape, while building greater awareness and creating meaningful opportunities for our international community of musicians and creatives. Our UMC Ambassadors will help lead the charge.”
Reasons to join:
It’s free to join — no fees and no minimum sales!
You can earn up to $30 on every new sale purchased using your exclusive referral code.
We offer regular and flexible payment options.
You’ll be aligned a growing resource for independent musicians and creatives — in Nashville, and everywhere else!
Sound like fun? Click the button below to learn more and apply!
