Exploring Life & Business with Jason Galaz of Muddy Roots

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Galaz.

Hi Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
The East Room used to be called Matty’s Alley back in 2009. I was discovering bands that did not fit well in any specific genres and scenes and had asked the owner of this venue if I could book a few bands. It was the only way I could get the bands I wanted to see live, considering they had no local fanbase or tour plans. The owner asked me to become the primary talent buyer. I did for a while but then got the idea of getting all my favorite bands together for a festival. I found a biker ranch between Nashville and Knoxville that allowed us to host our first fest. We figured it would be hard to offend them with our crowd and that we could enjoy the music in context, as opposed to in sterile corporate venues. We were right. We didn’t know we would be igniting a Muddy Roots movement worldwide. We’ve hosted Muddy Roots festivals in Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Belgium, Brazil, and Mexico.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Muddy Roots has been a financial wreck from day one. We didn’t start it for monetary reasons and had to learn the hard way as we grew. I finally became a Realtor to earn money and give the events the financial support they needed. We have been 100% independent from the start. That means we pull ourselves up. We bandage our wounds and move on. It’s not the easiest route, but our work and art will live beyond us. Other than that, Government has been an issue. Not in Tennessee. This state is fairly easy on businesses. But. I had to set up a company in Belgium to host Muddy Roots Europe. I did that with my friend Nicky, an owner and chef at Cowboy Up in Waardamme, BE. I had to learn how to learn international business via Facebook messenger. We’ve been hosting events nad paying taxes in that country for a decade now. The hardest was Brazil, though. We planned a whole festival and were even featured in Rolling Stone Brasil about it but had to cancel at the last minute as they would not issue American staff or bands work visas. We were told the EU did not need any, but we did. They were reciprocating our policy to Brasilians.

We’ve been impressed with Muddy Roots, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Realtor team lead for the entire state of Tennessee. This will expand into neighboring states by year-end. I am also a board member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and an advocate for homeownership in Spanish-speaking communities that do not have the same resources we do. Real Estate is how I pay the bills Muddy Roots gets itself into. I have also painted murals on the East Side for about 15 years. A few that remain are the Latina Cowgirl on Hunter’s Station, The Witchy Belgian Mother on Crying Wolf, Nashville Strong on Boston Commons, and Muddy Roots on the old G’z BBQ. My high school buddy and painting partner is Milton Chavz of Grace & Glory Tattoo. I am most proud that we have never submitted to one genre of music to grow our business. Our events are for artists that may or may not choose to perform in one or more genres.

What do you think about happiness?
Building empires and old books.

Contact Info:

• Website: muddyroots.com
• Instagram: @muddyrootsmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muddyrootsmusicfest

Image Credits
Photos by Greg Pack 2021