About the TMO
TMO staff outreach pitches Texas as the #1 place for music business, sharing that message throughout the state and country (left to right): Brendon Anthony gives a speech to music industry executives at the Coastal Bend Music Industry Symposium in Corpus Christi, Chip Adams discusses the Music Friendly Texas Program at the Coastal Bend Music Industry Symposium in Corpus Christi, Steve Ray judges a Battle of the Bands competition in Odessa, Jenny Perkins addresses the Texas Sounds & Cities Conference in Fort Worth.
The Texas Music Office (TMO) in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism is the only state music office in the nation. For more than 30 years, TMO has fostered the economic development of Texas music businesses, Texas musicians, and Texas communities. The TMO operates the Music Friendly Texas program, the first in the nation since introduced by TMO in 2016, which consists of an extensive network of 40 (and counting) certified Music Friendly Texas community partners across the state, all of whom seek to foster music business-related economic development and job creation in their Texas cities and communities. The TMO also serves as a clearinghouse for Texas music industry information, acts as a liaison between music businesses and government offices, publicizes significant industry developments, and attracts essential music industry to the Lone Star State. A vibrant Texas music industry supports local job creation while drawing visitors from around the globe, attracting a talented workforce across industries, and supporting business recruitment and expansion efforts throughout the state.
Welcome to the Texas Music Office, we look forward to connecting with you.
Meet the Team:
Brendon Anthony
Director
(512) 463-6666
As Director of the Texas Music Office, Brendon Anthony sets the agenda for business development, helping music industry professionals navigate their entry into the Texas market, as well as moving their businesses to Texas (including corporations, start-ups, and everything in between). Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015, Brendon provides the link between the Office of the Governor's Economic Development & Tourism Division executive staff, private sector music industry businesses, and non-governmental music organizations and trade associations. In addition to leading the Texas Music Office, Brendon is also the point person for the Music Friendly Communities program which helps connect the various music markets throughout the state with one another, establishes best practices for economic development success, and fosters the development and connection of higher education music programs to real-world music business opportunity.
Chip Adams
Community Relations & Outreach Specialist
(512) 463-6666
Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Chip Adams handles the TMO’s Music Friendly Texas Program, connecting Texas cities with our growing Music Friendly Texas network to help foster music industry development. Chip guides potential new communities through the certification process, and once completed he continues frequent communications with all certified liaisons with updates and opportunities for collaboration. From Music Friendly Texas Community workshops and certification ceremonies, to the TMO’s Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference, Chip works with city governments and key stakeholders to show that Texas is serious about our commercial music industry.
Steve Ray
Programs Manager
(512) 463-6666
Programs Manager Steve Ray administers Texas Music Office's programs like the Texas Music Office License Plate Grant program, the TMO internship program, and the day-to-day office travel schedule that allows the small 3 person team to be in multiple places at once, covering more than 50K miles of work travel in just one year. Additionally Steve heads up the TMO's music history program, including developing a Texas Music Trails program that promotes music history tourism around the state.
Jenny Perkins
Marketing & Communications Specialist
(512) 463-6666
Marketing and Communications Specialist Jenny Perkins oversees the Texas Music Office's marketing and communications strategy, running point for marketing the TMO's programs and services, including administration of TMO's social media channels and monthly newsletter. Jenny also works closely with the Office of the Governor's Press Office, all TMO staff, and Music Friendly Texas Communities throughout the state on messaging and press releases. In addition, Jenny is the main administrator for the TMO's website, creating written and visual content, as well as managing all of TMO's still photography and videography.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-6666
Physical Address (Please call for an appointment):
State Insurance Building
Suite 3.418
1100 San Jacinto Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78701