THE 2025 George Reiff Producers Grant

About George Reiff

George Reiff was a cornerstone of the Austin music community. A celebrated bass player, a sought-after producer, and a generous mentor, George left a lasting legacy through his work and his spirit. He also served on Sonic Guild’s Advisory Board and was a dear friend to the organization. George passed away in May 2017 following a brave battle with brain cancer. This grant honors his memory by investing in producers who carry on his values of excellence, generosity, and mentorship.

Program Overview

Following a successful pilot of the program in 2023, where winners included Beto Martinez (Austin), Lilian Blair (Seattle), and Dylan Wall (Seattle), the 2025 program will expand to include 8 grant recipients total. Sonic Guild will award four $7,500 grants in Austin and four in Seattle.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Reside within 100 miles of either Austin or Seattle
• Have produced at least one full-length, commercially released album
• Be actively working, with projects in the pipeline
• Apply to produce work with an artist who could not otherwise afford their services
• Be able to create and adhere to project budget and timeline
  
  

Note: Producers may not nominate themselves or members of their own band.

What Recipients Receive

• A $7,500 grant to complete the proposed project
  
  
• Inclusion in Sonic Guild’s press and promotional materials
  
  
• Recognition at the 2026 Sonic Guild Awards Ceremony
  
  

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of five music industry professionals selected for their experience and diverse perspectives. Projects will be evaluated on the following:

Artistic Merit

• Quality of past production work
  
  
• Innovation and creativity
  
  
• Professionalism and depth of engagement
  
  

Impact

• Potential for meaningful career growth for both producer and artist
  
  
• Alignment with long-term goals
  
  
• Expanded visibility and audience reach
  
  

Application Timeline

Applications Open: June 2 – July 2, 2025
Review Period: July 3 – July 23, 2025
Recipients Notified: July 31, 2025
Grants Awarded: August 15, 2025
Awards Ceremonies: December 2025 (Austin) and February 2026 (Seattle)

Grants will be distributed in two installments: 80% upon grant agreement execution, and 20% upon project completion and confirmation from the participating artist.

Intellectual Property Terms

Artists will retain 100% ownership of their work unless the producer and artist agree otherwise. If an alternate points or revenue-sharing agreement is in place, it must be clearly disclosed and approved by both parties as part of the application. Sonic Guild does not claim any ownership or rights to the work produced.

Apply Now

[Insert application link here]

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply with more than one artist?
Yes, if each artist fits the program’s criteria and the producer can realistically complete the project within the grant parameters.

Can I propose a project with an unsigned or early-career artist?
Yes. This program is designed to support exactly those kinds of collaborations.

What qualifies as a “commercially released album”?
A full-length release (typically 8+ tracks or 30+ minutes) that is available to the public through streaming platforms, physical distribution, or label release.

Can the proposed artist be someone I’ve worked with before?
Yes, as long as the artist is not in your band and the project represents a new body of work.

What if the artist drops out after I’m selected?
We understand that plans can change. If this happens, please contact us immediately to discuss options for continuing the grant with a different artist.

Can I include additional funding in my project budget?
Yes, but only include sources you are confident you will secure. The final 20% of Sonic Guild’s grant funds will not be released without artist confirmation that the project has been completed.

Will Sonic Guild take any ownership of the music?
No. Producers and artists retain all rights. If there is a shared rights agreement between the two parties, it must be disclosed and mutually approved.

Have more questions?
Contact shelby.earl@sonicguild.org for additional information.

Acknowledgments

This program was inspired by the generosity of Sonic Guild member Chris Armour, who spent countless hours documenting George’s legacy, and by Jim Eno of Spoon, who helped shape the original pilot model. Special thanks to the Armour family for their ongoing support in keeping this program alive.