Strike a Chord

✩

Strike a Chord ✩

Make a difference

Why sponsor?

For centuries, the performing arts have enchanted audiences, relying on public support to thrive. From symphonies to ballets, these art forms have endured because of a shared desire to preserve the classics. But there’s another tradition—one just as essential and vibrant: rock and roll.

Independent music has always been DIY at its core. Musicians gather in garages, practice late into the night, and invest their own money into recording, touring, and sound production. They build followings, forge friendships, and work with other artists to make their community feel connected. They’re the heartbeat of nightlife—the ones who make a night out exciting and meaningful. But more than entertainment, live music brings vitality to a city: it enriches our culture, drives economic growth, builds a sense of place, and gives young people a reason to stay. Creativity doesn't just lift spirits—it plants roots that strengthen the future.

 

This is the mission of OFF THE AIR, an independent music series that has served downtown Modesto since 2005. For nearly two decades, every dollar earned has gone directly back into shows and musicians. When founder Greg Edwards relocated to Oakland for work, however, OFF THE AIR went silent—and Modesto lost more than just concerts. Without these vibrant events, scores of musicians and music lovers drifted away to other cities that understood the value of independent art, paying higher living costs just to be closer to these scenes and developing creative careers in companies like Google and Facebook and even with governments, nonprofits, and agencies that innovate to solve unique problems that require creative thought leaders. The Bay Area, Sacramento, and cities our size and larger had already recognized the importance of supporting music scenes like OFF THE AIR—scenes that create lifelong memories, foster friendships, and put communities on the map in the best ways.

 

Thankfully, OFF THE AIR returned in 2022, reigniting that spark in Modesto’s cultural landscape. Downtown Modesto Partnership (DoMo) saw the value in bringing that back to Modesto and getting young, engaged, creative community members back in front of the wave of reinvestment we were all seeing. In partnership, DoMo brought OFF THE AIR back, providing the nonprofit fiduciary platform we needed to relaunch a foundation and grow. We are so grateful for that partnership with DoMo, and we see it as a signal that Modesto is ready to support its community of young, vivacious, engaged people who want so desperately to love where they live, grow their careers, form friendships and partnerships, and grow civic pride, knowing that they are part of a bigger picture right here in their home town.

Now, we need your help to ensure it stays. Your support will allow us to cover essential costs: renting sound equipment, paying skilled engineers, and offering fair compensation to musicians. These partnerships not only elevate the quality of our shows but also connect our local bands with artists from other regions—helping Modesto’s talent shine on larger stages and bringing positive attention back to our city.

 

We’ve seen what happens when a thriving music scene disappears—but we also know the magic it creates when it flourishes. OFF THE AIR has inspired thousands of young people, raised Modesto’s profile, and cultivated spaces where creativity and connection thrive. With your help, we can keep this momentum going and build a future where Modesto is a place where people want to stay, play, and create.

We envision a monthly series of live shows, a community filled with creatives ready and willing to share their talents with the City and region, and perhaps, one day, a brick-and-mortar of our very own to add amenity to downtown Modesto. We’re dreaming big.

 

Invest in our city’s future. Invest in independent music. Together, let’s keep OFF THE AIR alive—because downtown Modesto can’t afford to lose it again.

“The fact that OFF THE AIR is back was a huge “pro” on my “pros and cons” list when I was considering moving back to Modesto from Los Angeles. Since I got here and started going to shows, I’ve met people who came in from Oakland, Sacramento, and Berkeley just to check it out. OFF THE AIR makes me proud to call Modesto home once again, and it helps to think about how it could grow when I start missing LA.” Travis Vick, OTA musician and Modesto resident.

“Growing up with OFF THE AIR was something my friends and I could do instead of going out and getting into trouble. It gave us a safe space to have fun. We met so many people from surrounding towns and made lifelong friendships. It exposed me to tons of music that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own, but seeing the bands live made me love them! I would purchase CDs, and it felt cool seeing local people play these shows!” OFF THE AIR is so important for the Modesto community; it keeps the downtown area alive, supports local artists, and is just plain FUN! I hope to see it stick around for many years to come!!” Brenna Andrade, Modesto.

Sponsorship Levels

  • Hospitality goes a LONG WAY when attracting talent to downtown Modesto, and we have partnered with restaurants like Galletto, Commonwealth, and Churchkey to provide delicious, fresh, healthy meals to bands who have been touring and fueled by fast food. When overnight stays are needed for traveling musicians, DoubleTree is our official hotel and has generously provided a comfortable place to stay. Small businesses do so much to support downtown culture, but they need support, too. If you would like to sponsor meals, hotel stays, green room snacks and beverages, full sound equipment rental and engineering services, lighting, or any other goods or services to help us put on a great show and experience for musicians, let us know!

  • For those starting out, just like the early days of any great indie act:

    We love booking local bands and, just like in our original heyday, we pay bands from door sales. However, we still have costs associated with sound equipment and engineering. We work hard to get great deals, but your help covering the basic essential costs of one show will ensure we can pay artists what they deserve for the hard work they put into playing on this esteemed platform. You/your company will be recognized in true OFF THE AIR style, with a personalized and authentic message on social media to our audience of engaged community members who value and recognize brands who appreciate them.

  • The heart of indie music—this level mirrors the early efforts of bands honing their sound.

    At $1,000, help us turn passion into performance and provide the basics for incredible shows.

    Garage Band Sponsors enable us to book bands from as far as Sacramento, helping us connect our audience to regional sounds and forge relationships with promoters and venues that are necessary as we endeavor to make Modesto a popular stop on tour circuits rather than a pass-through city.

    Garage Band sponsors will be recognized on social media posts created to highlight you/your company, featuring your history, mission, and any background stories you'd like our audience to see. Your name/logo will also be highlighted prominently on our website.

  • A crucial spot in any lineup—support the events that set the tone and build momentum.

    For $2,500, your sponsorship covers essential equipment and venue costs and helps us book touring bands from Northern and Southern California. These connections with promoters, agencies, and venues put Modesto on the map, attracting top talent that will excite our audiences and ensure we’re more than just a pass-through city.

    Opening Act Sponsors will enjoy the benefits of Garage Band-and-lower levels, receive four complimentary tickets to any show of their choice, and have their name/logo featured on two show posters.

    Did you know that OFF THE AIR posters are designed by local artists and are always frame-worthy? OFF THE AIR audiences have been collecting show posters for years and regard them as collectible art!

  • The centerpiece of the show—this level ensures we continue delivering high-quality entertainment.


    With a $4,500 sponsorship, you'll directly support visiting artists who headline events as well as local bands who open for them. National and international acts have played OFF THE AIR shows, and the lasting impact of these shows is a gift to Modesto and Central Valley residents who otherwise would have to trek to the Bay Area to have such experiences. We believe we deserve more in Modesto, and we know our local bands are up to the task of opening for bands that will make the portfolios of our hometown heroes sparkle.

    Getting the attention of agencies who send us opportunities like this costs more, but your support will put a huge spotlight on downtown Modesto.

    In recognition, Headline Sponsors will have their logo placed on all OFF THE AIR posters of the season, receive a bank of ten tickets redeemable to any shows of their choice, social media thanks, and prominent placement on the OFF THE AIR website.

  • Because the best nights deserve to be extended and enjoyed by all—keep the energy going far and wide.

    Now that we have our costs covered to do some INCREDIBLE things (see all levels below!), an Amplifier Sponsor would help us power up stronger marketing initiatives, helping us spread the message far and wide that Modesto's music scene is not only on the map, it's MAKING SOUNDWAVES that reverberate up and down the West Coast and beyond. Downtown Modesto and our greater region deserve to be seen and heard across platforms that cover culture and a community like ours that bands together to invest in the arts, upcoming generations, and our good name. While OFF THE AIR is completely volunteer-run, this kind of financial support would help us build the efficiencies we need to be able to focus on growth and fortify our positive trajectory.

    Amplifier Sponsors will receive recognition on all OFF THE AIR posters, a bank of 12 complimentary tickets to any shows of your choice, and a special feature on our website and social media describing how music has touched your life, inspired your work and is important to have in your community.

  • The ultimate level—this sponsorship keeps the entire season in tune, ensuring long-term sustainability.

    For $10,000 and above, become a key partner in OFF THE AIR’s success, helping Modesto grow as a cultural hub.

    Our Season Partner will be highlighted as our presenting sponsor, with every mention of OFF THE AIR "Powered by [Your Name]."

    Enjoy all of the perks of every sponsorship level, plus a complimentary OFF THE AIR Season Pass for four. We will splash your name, your mission, your bio, and your name/logo just about everywhere we can and with aplomb! We'd be thrilled to have a Season Partner, and you will be our guest of honor!

We are partnered with Downtown Modesto Partnership, a nonprofit 501(c)3 whose mission is to create a vibrant community through activities and partnerships designed to improve the quantity of quality experiences in downtown Modesto. As our fiduciary partner, Downtown Modesto Partnership will recognize all donations made to OFF THE AIR by providing documentation and fiduciary processes.