our story

Since 2002, our founder and president, Allison Robertson has been collecting women in music memorabilia with the dream of creating a museum dedicated to women in music across the industry: performers, teachers, producers, and more.

In 2023, the Women's Music Museum was established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit with the mission of  inspiring women of all ages to find the music within themselves and of educating the community on the impact women have had on the music industry throughout history. 

We are currently in the fundraising process to help find a home for the collection. Once established in a location, our goal is to use the museum not only as a place to learn about women in music but to help nurture future women in music with music education classes and to promote local women in music with a place to perform.  

Our Mission

The Women’s Music Museum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit with the mission of  inspiring women of all ages to find the music within themselves and of educating the community on the impact women have had on the music industry throughout history. 

Once we find a home for our collection, we have several goals for the museum.

1. Educate the public on the impact women have had on the music industry through our exhibits.

2. Provide music classes for Abilene youth.

3. Provide a venue for women in music, especially local women, to perform

Board of Directors

Allison robertson

President

 

freddy   Gonzales   

 

 

Treasurer

garrett robertson

Secretary

Our collection

Ways to donate

Blog

    Outta the Blue is a blues and rock band that formed in Abilene, TX in 2019. The current lineup is Josh Tackett (guitar), Delbert McNeill (bass), Steve Couch (keys, guitar), Jason Solis (drums), and Marnie Boyers (vocals).

    Marnie joined the band two and half years ago, but her love of music started in her youth. She grew up in Mesquite, Texas, where her mother had put her in the church choir and paid for her vocal lessons. Her mom has always been her biggest fan and attended all her musical performances. Alongside her mom, other musical influences for Marnie include Patsy Cline, Karen Carpenter, and Nat King Cole.

    Her transition to Abilene came when she was laid off from a job after working there for 12 years and sitting in traffic in DFW. She has family here in the Abilene area and knew it was time for a change. She started working at the Abilene Public Library as an administrative assistant and later became a librarian after obtaining a Masters of Library Sciences from Texas Woman's University in 2018.

    An introvert by nature, Marnie’s voice was drawn out to the stage by networking within the music community. “I knew I could sing, I just didn’t know where the opportunity was.” The local music community gave her applause and feedback that built up her confidence. She first joined a group, The Remedy of Brownwood, in 2019 as a vocalist and later joined Outta the Blue. Since joining the group, they have performed at the San Angelo Blues Festival twice, which Marnie lists as one of her greatest musical accomplishments because the feedback from the event was invaluable.

    Although it is 2023, there are still some double standards that women in music experience. Appearance is still something that females in the business have to worry about more than men. “Men can wear just about anything, but women are expected to put on entire outfits and makeup,” Marnie explains.

    There are good things that are going on in the Abilene music scene. There are more venues for performances all across town. However, Marnie points out there are not many in Abilene that are great for full bands. Many venues are for single artists, maybe duos, but not a full band. “I feel like you get tucked in a corner and are just background music.” Luckily, Outta the Blue has booked a couple of shows in the near future at Heff’s and the Ice House, so be prepared for some rockin’ nights ahead.

 

Upcoming Shows:

May 27th-9pm to 12am-Heff’s in the Mall of Abilene

July 1st-8pm to 11pm-Ice House

 

Want to find out more about Outta the Blue:

 

https://otbabilene.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@outtatheblue

https://www.facebook.com/OTBabilene

 

Contact us

womeninmusic2002@yahoo.com

 

PO Box 6044

Abilene, TX 79608

 

325-261-3702