News
Hear Fort Worth Announces Several Music Initiatives
The City of Fort Worth (our initial Music Friendly Community designee) via Visit Fort Worth and the association Hear Fort Worth announced several initiatives to help Fort Worth musicians develop their talent and reach more people.
Anheuser-Busch donates $5,000 to TMO Grant Program
On Thursday, September 27, The Texas Music Office launched its inaugural benefit concert supporting its Texas Music License Plate Grant Fund, featuring music from the Josh Abbott Band and Rob Baird. The benefit concert was co-sponsored by Bud Light, Floore’s Country Store and Y100 San Antonio’s New Country Leader radio station. During a concert intermission, Anheuser-Busch’s Sr. Manager of Experiential Marketing Doug Mraw presented a check to TMO Director Brendon Anthony for $5,000 that will go directly toward grants for Texas school children to receive music instruments and lessons, as well as toward community music program grants.
City of Austin Reinstates Creative Ambassador Program
The City of Austin's Music & Entertainment Division will reinstate the City's Creative Ambassadors Program, providing official ambassador designation and financial support to Austin artists traveling abroad in promotion of their creative projects.
Industry Profile: Beaumont, TX soul music legend, Barbara Lynn
Beaumont, TX's Barbara Lynn has been defying the odds in her 50-plus years in the music industry. She took time out of her busy schedule in advance of her travels to Washington D.C. to accept the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award next week to speak with the TMO about the long musical road that has brought her from being a teenage hitmaker to now being recognized as a national treasure.
2018 Power On Music Conference
State Representative Todd Hunter, the Texas Music Office and the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau - along with Otrafest and Bar Under the Sun - are pleased to announce the 2018 Power On Music conference on September 20th. The conference will feature panel discussions from national and Texas music industry leaders and is aimed at promoting the importance of this industry on our Texas economy.
Don’t Mess With Texas Song Search Contest
Don’t mess with Texas® is hosting a Song Search Contest to find the next undiscovered musical talent in Texas to feature in the iconic litter-prevention campaign. The Song Search Contest will continue the tradition of music being a part of “Don’t mess with Texas” since the campaign’s inception 32 years ago.
Nominations Open for the 2019 and 2020 Texas State Musician
The Texas Commission on the Arts is currently accepting nominations for the 2019 and 2020 Texas State Musician. Any Texas citizen is able to nominate a living artist, and self-nominations are welcome. You may submit more nominations for different artists. Previous State Musicians include Marcia Ball (2018's Texas State Musician), George Strait, Joe Ely, Jimmie Vaughan, Flaco Jimenez, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, and many more dating back to the 2003 inception year. Nominations will be accepted online through October 15, 2018.
Industry Professional Profile: Greg Hunt of Rosewood Studios (Part 2)
For over 40 years the staff of Tyler, TX's Rosewood Studios has arranged, produced and recorded projects for a wide variety of artists. Rosewood owner/music producer Greg Hunt recently sat down with the TMO tracing his extensive career. This is the second and final part of the the interview.