Sarah also owns Stardust Superfoods & Juice and founded Yoga For Musicians programs that together bring healthful food and lifestyle options to musicians and industry professionals.
Condition(s) & Date(s) of Treatment:
Condition: Finger fracture, tissue damage, necrotic tissue
Year(s) of Treatment: 2023-2024
What inspired you to start playing music?
Ever since I can remember, I knew I wanted to be a performer and a singer. My sister and I were both immersed in the arts growing up. I played violin in orchestra, sang in choir, and excelled in dance and theater. Songwriting came naturally, and I was already writing my own songs, singing, playing guitar, and working on my career when I met my mentor, Clifford Antone.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons are two influences that led me to Joshua Tree, a spiritual place. Years later, I met Emmylou and her entourage in Austin and was invited to join her tour at The Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas. I went to Nashville to visit her crew at The Ryman, played and recorded demos with renowned producers.
I grew up with “Old Austin” influences, listening to classic blues, rock, country and jazz music. When I started working with blues club owner Clifford Antone at age 17, he encouraged my music career and had plans to record me on the Antone’s label. Unfortunately, he passed before that could happen. It was devastating, but I cherish his influence and the opportunity to meet some of the great blues legends. I’ve performed at Antone’s, sharing the stage with legends like Pinetop Perkins, Miss Lavelle White, and Lou Ann Barton.
What was the injury that brought you to MTF and how did the injury affect your music?
In 2023, I saved my dog, Lucky, from a dogfight, and my finger got in the way. The top of my left index finger had a bone-crushing fracture and was nearly severed off entirely. Before working with MTF, the previous surgeon had inserted a pin, leaving my finger immobilized. After two weeks, he diagnosed amputation and said there was no alternative for my situation. As a musician, it was a devastating blow.
During that time, I couldn’t take care of simple daily tasks, drive, or use my hand. I had no gigs or income, and finding work with my painful, immobilized hand was nearly impossible.
I was prepared to continue singing with my band while my finger healed. When I reached out for gigs, none were offered. I went on multiple interviews for jobs, and I never got any call-backs. With a foam cube, a glove, or a scarf covering my gigantic bandaged hand, it was almost comical. I felt like Margot Tennenbaum in a never-ending Wes Anderson movie.
My mom researched and found hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), which is effective for healing, but also very expensive and difficult to get covered by insurance, so most of the HBOT treatments were out of pocket. Amazingly, I was able to raise funds for my recovery, including setting up an emergency GoFundMe and hosting a benefit concert at Antone’s as encouraged by Austin blues guitarist Derek O’Brien. The community really came together to help, including Emmylou’s friends, Les Bank,s and Bud Phillips in Nashville. I’ll never forget the kindness and support I received from friends and strangers. Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) helped cover some of my initial medical expenses. SIMS supported me with mental health counseling, which was needed after the traumatic event. They were all extremely beneficial to my recovery.
I was familiar with MTF through my Yoga For Musicians programs at Antone’s where I met MTF Executive Director Irene Chang-Cimino and their Outreach Manager Nick Adamo, also a musician. Luckily I reached out to MTF after my initial prognosis and Dr. Alton Barron along with his team really saved the day! Dr. Barron couldn’t believe amputation was even suggested as a remedy and immediately said he could save the finger with his procedure and treatments. It was a close call that was really life-changing to me, both as a musician and as a person.
What was your experience with receiving care through MTF and your recovery afterward?
MTF and Dr. Barron were phenomenal. I’m so grateful for their care and positive attitude, as a lot of it is psychological. After multiple surgeries and months of healing, treatment, yoga, and hand exercises, Dr. Barron encouraged me to start playing guitar again and using my fingers to bring circulation and flexibility to the area. Since my last surgery in January 2024, I am performing again and playing every day. I also play bass, violin, and other instruments. Now, almost two years after the accident, I have regained a lot of feeling and mobility in my finger and hand. The skin and nail on the fingertip continue to grow and even out daily.
As a musician, you really have to be your own best advocate and have supporters in your corner. I could have easily lost my finger to amputation, and that would have impacted my ability to play music. Although I wasn’t about to stop, I certainly had a much better outcome through MTF, and I feel very fortunate. It’s really inspiring that this organization exists to treat the unique needs of musicians–I could never have afforded the level of care offered by MTF on my own. I’ll never be able to thank y’all enough for the incredible work you do. Our art depends on our hands, so this care was crucial to me as an instrumentalist.
What’s coming up for you?
I’m releasing my debut blues album later this year. The project was delayed over a year due to my accident. My album release will be at Antone’s on December 21, 2025.
The first single “Cinderella Blues” will be released this summer. It was inspired by my experiences as a female artist struggling to make ends meet. Working multiple jobs and side hustles like cleaning AirBnBs and service industry, I’ve survived day to day, while scrounging up late night gigs in dive bars and spending hours practicing. I’ve faced being houseless and vanlifing while dealing with chronic fatigue, autoimmune health issues and trauma. “Cinderella Blues” is my story.
I also tour and record with the talented artist Matt Adams of The Blank Tapes. I have some special surprises in store with my business, Stardust Superfoods and Yoga For Musicians.
Where can people find out more about you and your music?
People can find out about me by visiting my website at sarahbarlowmusic.com and by following me on social media @sarahbarlowmusic. My music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and all major streaming platforms, where my new releases will be coming soon.