Moore Music stay alive and for Music to Thrive in Homer AK

If you've ever met Ashley Moore, you'd know this wasn't his idea. One day, as we chatted about ways to consolidate some debt Moore Music incurred during the pandemic—necessary funds borrowed to keep the lights on and employees paid—it became clear that this burden was weighing heavily on him. Having run a small business for 30 years myself, I can tell you one thing for sure: kicking this can of debt down the road is a stranglehold on any small business.

Now, you might wonder why this is your problem. Well, here's the easy answer: Moore Music is more than just a for-profit enterprise—it's a cornerstone of Homer's culture. Ash has taken on a full-time job elsewhere just to sustain the business as he tries to climb out of the hole left in the wake of the 2020-2022 whirlwind. Moore Music is the heartbeat of so many young people's lives, whether through instruction from their talented teachers or equipment repair and replacement at a local level.

Music is vital to any culture, and Homer is no exception. If you're willing to share even a small amount of money and help spread the word, together we can relieve this important small business from what will amount to years of burden. While the store is currently doing well and students are plentiful, this kind of revolving high-interest debt can cause even the most determined owner to lose heart. Eventually, we could see a precious piece of our small town disappear.

Again, Ash didn't ask for this. He is humble and strong; this is merely an attempt to help a fellow traveler lighten his load with the miracle of generosity. As an additional incentive, I reached out to Grammy Award-winning artist Zac Brown, shared the details of the Moore Music store, and this attempt to raise funds. Without a moment's hesitation, he and his team sent me a prize box of ZBB merch as a gift to one lucky person who donates here. We will hold a drawing at the end of the fundraiser and announce the winner here and on the radio.

Together, with even a small amount of money, we can do a great amount of good for someone who's dedicated his life to keeping the music alive. Join me in throwing a life ring to this well-deserving guy and his small business, making a big difference.