Today we’d like to introduce you to Candy Coburn.
Candy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Candy Coburn. I am a massive dreamer, God believer, Lover of people, and a full-time cheerleader for making this sweet world kinder and better than we found it! My path has been a wild one for sure that ironically does resemble some of the country songs I grew up crooning along to in Kentucky. I believe all things do work out together for good and with that said, I seem to come to understand how little I know or can control in life as I enjoy this ride into what I guess should be considered my “grown-up” years -J.
I have three very unique kiddos, Fisher, my genuine, workout loving 19 year old, who is a sophomore at Abilene Christian University, Klein, who is 16, who loves stylish swag, all things that “go fast,” and all things witty in nature, and my resilient, fierce, 11 year old daughter Lisa- who takes on the world full throttle each day no matter what challenges she may have had to fight to get where she is today. Then there is my hubby of 23 years-who is my wanderlust adventurer, hilarious, dreamy and has a heart the size of Texas. We are not perfect or “shiny” at all. We are lucky to have each other because I am not sure anyone else would want our very irreverent crew-J.
We are proud Austinites and truly appreciate living near a lake, with some of the nicest people in the world, and in a community with so many passionate give back organizations making a difference. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to start a small non-profit called Big Love UBU in the Fall of 2017. We are now in our 3rd year and I have the opportunity to work with an incredible team of volunteers, amazing diverse artists, and other non-profits of purpose to help create unique live multi-art events to promote Love, Unity and Generosity in our region. I am so honored also to get to serve as a worship leader for a church as well as head up other worship and women’s ministry events in central Texas and beyond. I have been an avid songwriter over my career and had the pleasure to co-write songs for campaigns for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Texas Roadhouse Restaurants, Arby’s as well as write and record five studio albums. I can’t wait to see what comes in next on this exciting adventure God keeps unfolding daily. I am passionate about foster care and adoption. Our little girl is a blessing and was adopted right here in central Texas.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In my “previous life,” I toured nationally as a full-time singer/songwriter all over the US doing more than 100 shows a year living on a tour bus. I truly loved that life while I was in it and had some of the most amazing opportunities I could have ever imagined. As I am sure you know by now- I certainly was never a “household name” but was so fortunate to get to have such a great independent small business, hiring wonderful people I loved and considered family. My story from the “bars of 1’s to stadiums of thousands” can be read at length on my website but to give a “cliff’s notes” version of my story. The road was long getting to those stadiums and the tour bus. It was constant hustle, planning, writing, playing shows, and repeat. Meanwhile, I was juggling being a mom, wife and all other hats most women wear who have careers. My kiddos were on the bus. My husband was so kind as to sell merchandise even at some of the bigger events; everyone was a part of the “machine” of music in that era. It was amazing and hard at the same time, that portion of my book someday will most definitely curl some toes. It is not as “shiny” as it appears on stage; it takes a lot of stamina: determination and sacrifice. I am so very grateful I have an amazing God who was able to change my “lane” around six years ago and move our family out to Texas full time. It has blown my mind to see what He can do for good with my very limited skill set and experience. I love how kind He is to “re-cycle” something old and make it so joyous and new.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
This is always a challenging question. Like many of us, Mom-preneurs, we multitask our talents. I am probably most known for singing, songwriting, and helping people connect. I founded a tiny non-profit in Austin back in 2017 called Big Love UBU. Big Love UBU is a 501c3, with a mission to provide Live Multi-Art Experiences which shape a culture of Love, Unity & Generosity. Our goals are:
1. To promote Big LOVE in central Texas by hosting live events to show love for all people by way of the Arts.
2. To encourage UNITY among our diverse TX artists by producing events executed in excellence with fair wages.
3. To show GENEROSITY by partnering and bringing awareness to our fellow non-profits and offering the whole game for FREE!
We are very proud of our Big Love UBU Dream Team! Our fantastic group of volunteers has grown to include over 60 individuals from all over the country, with diverse talents, gifts and backgrounds. We have a strong team who have been dedicated to carefully grow our events by contributing each of their unique expressions of” Big Love.” Their heart and soul are what make our events so unique.
BIG LOVE UBU Local Non-Profit Give-back Recipients – – Austin Disaster Relief Network – The Refuge for DMST – Survive2Thrive Foundation -Angelheart Adoptions-and, our next upcoming 3rd annual Big Love UBU Music & Arts Festival, will be benefitting Community First Village ( a planned transitional homeless community in Austin, TX.)
Our Annual Festival includes Over 25 of Austin’s finest artists- 1 stage, one day!-Diverse live musical performances, modern dance, spoken word, live painting, DJ, kids face painting. Family-friendly fun & more. There is no cost associated with admission.
We try to fill a niche in our area. We hope to be an organization/festival that will continue to bring assistance to our amazing artist’s community, other non-profits in our area, and also serve our underserved areas by providing all of this events-free of charge to the public.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up in Kentucky, Texas and Missouri- I was born a tomboy at heart. I loved riding motorcycles, going to the races, singing, music events and absolutely nothing related to cooking or domestically engineered things in any way, if at all possible. I have always been full of energy and ready to try almost anything. I was never a lover of school, although now I love learning. I LOVE people. I love seeing how a song I wrote can touch a person’s heart and encourage/uplift them. I love speaking, singing or hugging encouragement into others. I love to cheerlead them on- I believe everyone has the 2nd act and after seeing what God could do with me in his 2nd Act has just ignited even more of a fire to be a part of helping other’s find what “light’s them up.”
Contact Info:
- Address: Big Love UBU
Austin, TX - Website: www.bigloveubu.com
- Phone: 361-857-9242
- Email: bigloveubu@gmail.com
- Instagram: @bigloveUBU
- Facebook: @bigloveUBU
Image Credit:
Rainey Zeller
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