Live Music Society Executive Director Cat Henry Named to Pollstar’s 2026 “Women of Live”
Live Music Society Executive Director Cat Henry has been recognized by Pollstar as part of its 2026 “Women of Live” class, an annual honor celebrating influential leaders shaping the future of the live entertainment industry. The recognition highlights women across touring, venues, agencies, nonprofits, and production who are driving innovation and leadership across the global live music ecosystem.
Henry spearheads Live Music Society, a nonprofit dedicated to sustaining and strengthening the nation’s small, independent music venues and listening rooms, the cultural spaces where emerging artists develop and communities gather around live music.
Since its founding in 2020, Live Music Society has distributed $5.1 million in grant in funding to 227 small venues across the United States
Under Henry’s leadership, Live Music Society has expanded programs and partnerships supporting small venues nationwide. Recent initiatives include:
One Night Live – a nationwide concert series launched as a more sustainable touring model, bringing emerging artists together to share resources, collaborate onstage, and perform at independent venues across the country. The series not only supports small venues directly, but makes it possible for emerging artists to tour during a time when economic challenges and rising costs have made it prohibitive. One Night Live has produced four tours to date, with two new runs launching this week: a tour featuring Jesus Christ Taxi Driver from March 19 through April 11 in partnership with Midtopia, and a second tour with Claire Ernst and Dani Offline from March 25 through April 12 in partnership with Salt Lick.
Music in Action + Toolbox Grants – LMS’s core funding programs, which together have distributed millions of dollars to independent venues nationwide. Music in Action grants provide up to $50,000 for projects centered on audience development, community engagement, and innovative programming, while Toolbox grants offer smaller, targeted support for essential needs like sound and lighting upgrades, accessibility improvements, and operational infrastructure, helping venues both stabilize and grow.
Music in Action Summit – a national convening that brings together more than 50 venue operators, artists, and industry leaders, many of them LMS grant recipients, for collaborative problem-solving and knowledge sharing. The summit focuses on addressing the biggest challenges facing small-capacity venues today, from rising costs to audience development, while strengthening a growing network of independent venues across the country.
Jesus Christ Taxi Driver Tour Dates:
Thu Mar 19 | Denver, CO | Bluebird Theater
Fri Mar 20 | Colorado Springs, CO | Lulu’s Downtown
Wed Mar 25–Sat Mar 28 | Boise, ID | Treefort Music Fest
Sun Mar 29 | Seattle, WA | Baba Yaga
Mon Mar 30 | Spokane, WA | The Big Dipper
Tue Mar 31 | Yakima, WA | Bearded Monkey
Wed Apr 1 | Portland, OR | Bunk Bar
Thu Apr 2 | Bend, OR | Silver Moon Brewing
Fri Apr 3 | Reno, NV | Club Underground
Sat Apr 4 | Sacramento, CA | Torch Club
Sun Apr 5 | San Francisco, CA | The Knockout
Tue Apr 7 | Los Angeles, CA | The Redwood Bar
Wed Apr 8 | Las Vegas, NV | Red Dwarf
Thu Apr 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | Quarters DLC
Fri Apr 10 | Laramie, WY | Ruffed Up Duck
Sat Apr 11 | Pueblo, CO | Steel City Showcase
Claire Ernst + Dani Offline Tour Dates:
Wed Mar 25 | Portland, ME | Longfellow’s
Thu Mar 26 | Burlington, VT | The Showcase Lounge
Fri Mar 27 | Concord, MA | Umbrella Arts Center
Wed Apr 1 | New Haven, CT | Cafe Nine
Fri Apr 3 | New York, NY | Berlin Under A
Sat Apr 4 | Philadelphia, PA | Milkboy
Tue Apr 7 | Pittsburgh, PA | Brillobox
Wed Apr 8 | Washington, DC | Songbyrd Music House
Thu Apr 10 | Roanoke, VA | The Spot on Kirk
Sun Apr 12 | Nashville, TN | Mirror Mirror
About Live Music Society
Live Music Society (LMS) empowers small venues and listening rooms across the United States. Since 2020, the nonprofit has distributed $5.1 million in grants to 227 unique venues, supporting live music stages, emerging talents, established artists, staff, and patrons. With a focus on engaging communities, expanding audiences, increasing representation, and enhancing the live music experience, these grants underscore the foundation's commitment to strengthening the small, independent venue ecosystem nationwide. In 2025, LMS introduced One Night Live, a first-of-its-kind, continuously growing touring collaboration with organizations like D-TOUR, Salt Lick Incubator, and Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present & Future. The series creates a new touring model that lowers costs, shares resources, and strengthens the connection between emerging artists and the independent venues hit hardest by rising live-music expenses. livemusicsociety.org