News
Virtual Music Friendly Community Workshop - Grand Prairie
The Texas Music Office (TMO) and the Visit Grand Prairie will co-host a virtual Music Friendly Community workshop on Thursday, March 11 at 6 pm CT. TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Chip Adams will co-host the workshop via livestream to represent the TMO, answer questions, and speak about the Music Friendly Community program.
Texas Music Office Sponsors Texas Music Showcases at the 2021 Edition of the Folk Alliance International Conference
The Texas Music Office continued its sponsorship of Texas Music Showcases at the 2021 virtual Folk Alliance International Conference: Folk Unlocked. The TMO joined ComboPlate Booking, Texas Folklife, High Plains Public Radio, and more to present Texas music showcases throughout the week of the festival, spotlighting performances by more than 20 different Texas singer-songwriters. View archive videos of the showcases, including performances by Texas artists Longriver, Little Marzan, Curtis McMurtry, Jaimee Harris, Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines, Brenda Martinez, Los Arcos Hermanos Peña, Keyun Dickson, and many more!
Texas Music Mixtape: In Conversation with Guitarist / Producer Paul Leary
Join us the TMO's Texas Music Mixtape radio program as we’re joined in conversation by legendary psychedelic noise rock guitarist/producer Paul Leary. We talk about the inspiration he draws from pop culture, his old band the BH Surfers, his new first solo LP release in 30 years “Born Stupid”, & much more! Listen to the Texas Music Mixtape in real time every Wednesday at 2:30 pm CT on KOOP Radio in Austin, TX, or from anywhere in the world via KOOP's web player.
Virtual Forum: Backstage with ‘Austin City Limits’
On Tuesday, February 9 at 6 pm, the Texas Music Office and the Texas Film Commission will co-host a free virtual panel discussion entitled "Backstage With Austin City Limits", featuring moderator Brendon Anthony and panelists Terry Lickona (Producer, Austin City Limits) and Tracey Laird (Author, "Austin City Limits: A History"). The panel discussion will feature a conversation about the enduring legacy of the groundbreaking television program. The TMO also created a playlist of 50 songs from the 1970s featured in Texas-shot TV shows and films to coincide with the TFC's look back at their inaugural decade in public service.
Governor’s Small Business Webinar: Update on SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance, in partnership with the Texas Music Office, will provide an update on the Shuttered Venue Operator’s (SVO) Grant. The webinar will focus on the information required for small businesses to get ready to apply for the new grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Senator John Cornyn, author of the new bill that enacted this funding, will open the event. The expert panel will include Tim Jeffcoat, District Director of the SBA in Houston, and Blayne Tucker, music industry lawyer, venue operator and champion of the new bill.
Texas Music Mixtape: In Conversation with Lubbock musician/studio owner/venue owner Don Caldwell
On today's Texas Music Office's Texas Music Mixtape radio program, we interview Lubbock musician/studio owner/living legend Don Caldwell about his work on the Lubbock Music NOW 2020 compilation album, as well as his work on legendary albums by Joe Ely, Terry Allen, the Maines Brothers and many more. Don is on the committee who oversees production of the album, which is a fundraiser for local music programs sponsored by Civic Lubbock Inc. From rock to country, jazz to hip hop, the 2020 Lubbock Music NOW album features 21 songs written and performed by 21 South Plains artists.
SBA Announces Reopening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The SBA has announced the reopening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for new & existing borrowers. This round of PPP authorizes up to $284 billion in potentially forgivable loans that can be applied to job retention & certain expenses thru 3/31/21. New applicants can apply for PPP loans through SBA approved "7a" lenders including many Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). As with prior rounds of PPP funding, borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.
Federal Income Taxes & Your Unemployment Benefits
Getting ready to prepare your 2020 taxes? If you received unemployment benefits and/or pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefit's, make sure to view the Texas Workforce Commission's info on how federal law requires reporting all of the benefits as taxable income. “Unemployment benefits are taxable income reportable to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under federal law. You must report all unemployment benefits you receive to the IRS on your federal tax return," notes TWC.