ABOUT AME
Arkansas Music Experience exists to celebrate, preserve, and elevate the rich musical heritage of Arkansas while empowering today’s artists and communities. Through live events, storytelling, and creative collaboration, we connect people to the sounds, culture, and spirit of our state—building a stronger, more vibrant future for Arkansas music.
AME HISTORY
The Arkansas Music Experience (AME), launched in 2025, fosters the state's vibrant music scene by uniting artists, managers, promoters, venue owners, media professionals, and community stakeholders to advance local talent and industry growth.
Through its relaunched Music Industry Meetup series—regular networking events held in cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville—these gatherings provide essential opportunities for collaboration, discussions on challenges and opportunities, and building connections among music professionals.
This initiative culminates in the inaugural Arkansas Music Week (September 14–21, 2025, in Fayetteville), a week-long celebration featuring live concerts, workshops, song swaps, exhibitions, and the global Music Cities Convention, all spotlighting Arkansas's rich musical heritage while offering immersive experiences in performances, education, and professional networking to strengthen the community's creative ecosystem.
ROBERT LOCKE
President | Chief Creative Officer
Robert Locke is a prominent figure in Arkansas's music scene, known as a Fayetteville-based vocalist, longtime musician, and music writer. He founded ShindigMusic (originally a punk-inspired fanzine that evolved into a key media outlet promoting Arkansas artists) and more recently launched the Arkansas Music Experience in 2025 to foster networking, events, and growth in the state's music industry. Locke has also performed and collaborated with notable musicians, including recent work in the Joe Holmes Band & Farmikos
KIM SMOOTZ
Chief Cultural Officer
Kim Smootz is a music community advocate dedicated to celebrating and supporting Arkansas’s vibrant music scene. With over a decade of experience working behind the scenes at festivals such as Harvest Music Festival, Wakarusa and Creekfest, she has helped connect artists, audiences, and local communities across the state. As one of the founders of Arkansas Music Experience, Kim shares stories, events, and resources that spotlight local talent, honor Arkansas’s musical roots, and strengthen the connections that keep the scene thriving.
TRAVIS SMITH
Chief Marketing Officer
Travis Smith is a key figure in Northwest Arkansas's music scene, based in Fayetteville, where he has worked as a venue booker, talent buyer, creative content marketing specialist, and professional drummer. He founded Travis Smith Productions, a content marketing company specializing in video, photo, and graphic design for music events and brands, and hosts the official George's Live podcast for George's Majestic Lounge, featuring interviews with artists and show previews. His experience not only as a touring artist and musician, but also as a venue and event operator and marketer, helps bridge the gaps and has made him a connector for those looking to establish or expand their digital presence and connecting artists to fans.