The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and collaborative movement committed to building a stronger and more diverse live music economy in greater Des Moines.

Our mission is to aggressively advocate, sponsor, and develop an independent, progressive live music economy in greater Des Moines for the purpose of urban revitalization, regional economic development, and the retention of our region's youth and future.

Become a member or donate to the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition, by visiting our Membership page.

Learn about volunteer opportunities and upcoming meetings on the Get Involved page.

Contact

1620 Pleasant St. Suite 248 Des Moines, IA 50314

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CD Reviews and News Submissions

For CD reviews, mail your CD and any accompanying information to the DMMC, 1620 Pleasant St, Suite 248, Des Moines, IA 50314. You can send news submissions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Programs

80/35 is an annual two-day progressive indie and jam music festival over 4th of July weekend in downtown Des Moines. Nearly 50 national, regional, and local bands perform on multiple stages.

Gross Domestic Product is a local music festival held every spring, featuring 10 – 15 indie-rock, metal, hip-hop, punk, and electronic acts from across Iowa, including The Envy Corps, Facecage, Poison Control Center, General Sherman, and The Lifestyle.

Little BIG Fest is an annual jam, alt-country, bluegrass, roots rock music festival. Started in Fall 2006, LBF has featured talented acts such as Trampled by Turtles, Mr. Baber’s Neighbors, Floodplane, and Brother Trucker.

Music University is a free music business education series designed to provide artists and industry professionals advice on making a living through music. Experts lead panel discussions covering a wide variety of topics of interest to anyone trying to move ahead in the music industry.

Concert Corps Each month the DMMC helps promote a local show at venues across the Des Moines metro. Hitting different venues and multiple genres, Concert Corps hopes to get more people out to shows to support local musicians and venues.

Board Members

Loyd Ogle, Board President - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Loyd received his bachelor's degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids and a Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law. He serves on the executive committee of the Park and Recreation board with the City of Des Moines. He has been active in the live music industry for more than 15 years in such roles as a promoter, booking and managing a band. He is the director of the title guaranty division of the Iowa Finance Authority, a state agency.

Justin Schoen, Vice President, Development Chair - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Justin graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in marketing. For the past two years Justin has worked with the DMMC to develop fundraising strategies, event sponsorships and helped to facilitate strategic planning. He works full-time as the director of online sales and operations at G&L Clothing, and also serves on the Central Iowa Shelter & Services and Greater Des Moines Jewish Federation boards of directors.

Tim Heaston, Treasurer, Events & Festivals Chair - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tim earned his bachelor's degree and masters of accounting at Drake University, both with suma cum laude designation. He is a certified public accountant, working full-time for Denman & Company, LLP and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater. Tim is a member of the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves as a volunteer instructor for Junior Achievement, Inc.

Jill Haverkamp, Secretary, Marketing and PR Co-Chair - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jill received her bachelor's degree from Columbia College in marketing communication and public relations with an emphasis in music business. She works full-time at Olde Main Brewing Co. as the marketing and pr manager and is co-owner of On Pitch, a music, entertainment, and lifestyle marketing agency. Jill has six years of music marketing experience and has been involved with the DMMC since January 2007.

Brian Sauer, Board Member, Marketing & PR Co-Chair - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Brian has 11 years experience in marketing and graphic design. He works full-time as an associate creative director at Strategic America and has his own marketing agency, Sauer Design. Brian earned his AAS degree in graphic design from DMACC and has been marketing the DMMC for two years.

Nickelle Stevens, Board Member, Membership Chair - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Nickelle Stevens, recently appointed to DMMC Board in 2009, is a Senior PR Account Executive at The Integer Group. A graduate of Drake University, Nickelle has always been passionate about live music and always dreamed of working in the music industry. She started attending 80/35 planning meetings and instantly became addicted to everything the DMMC is about. After 2008 80/35, Nickelle started to coordinate DMMC membership. In 2009, she is handling vendors and volunteer coordination.

Brad Adam, Board Member
Brad has 10 years experience in IT project management and software development. He works full time as a software developer and project leader at the Principal Financial Group. In 1999, Brad graduated with an AAS degree in computer programming from IHCC. Brad has been volunteering with the DMMC for two years and is currently leading the editorial and Web site staff.

Mike Thibodeau, Board Member
Mike graduated from Creighton University in 2001 with a B.A. in English.  He then went on to Drake University where he received his J.D. in 2007.  Mike currently practices law with Dreher, Simpson and Jensen, P.C. in Des Moines, practicing extensively in the areas of corporate and business law as well as corporate and real estate litigation.  Mike has been a member of the DMMC Board of Directors since 2009.

Mic Jurgens, Board Member
Mic graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.B.A. in Accounting and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Mic is Assistant General Counsel for Hy-Vee, Inc., where he handles a wide range of legal matters for the company. Mic also serves on the board of directors for Orchard Place. He has been a member of the DMMC Board of Directors since 2010.

Kevin Brownell, Board Member
Kevin graduated from Bradley University with a B.S. in Political Science and Business and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Creighton University. Kevin is an Assistant County Attorney for the Polk County Attorney's Office, where he handles criminal and civil cases. Kevin was born and raised in the Greater Des Moines area and attended Dowling High School. He has been a member of the DMMC Board of Directors since 2010.

Unified Agenda

Establish the "80/35 Music Festival", a large-scale Summer music festival and other local music festivals to Greater Des Moines on the map as a leader in progressive music culture and to draw upon regional and national talent and tourist demographics.

Aid in the creation of an annual Regional Music Conference & Seminar - a week-long, Midwestern industry conference and showcase event, taking advantage of our state's centralized geographic location between several major music markets.

Provide public "Town Hall" debates, industry educational events, and online forums to present issues, discuss challenges, and to streamline a unified musical agenda for Central Iowa and Greater Des Moines.

Expand the role of public and independent radio and television dramatically. Give a home and means of communication to a progressive movement of music, arts, and cultural education.

Serve as an advisory body to the city, county, state, and other civic and corporate leaders on all matters pertaining to music, entertainment, and youth culture. Act as a liaison between the music industry, music fans, and regional leadership.

Advise metro area venues, promoters, and event planners on industry trends, forecasted supply and demand trends (artists, genres, festivals), and as to the specific musical requests of fans locally and regionally.

Exchange ideas and research with similar-sized urban markets, independent music associations, venues, promoters, and civic commissions which have been successful in fostering economic development through progressive music culture.

Research and cater to the needs of the growing 'Creative Class' and neglected 'Brain-Drain' demographics to retain current residents and encourage relocations to Iowa and Greater Des Moines from other regions.

The DMMC is not the same as the City of Des Moines Music Commission. Click here to visit their site.