 San Antonio's Nicky Diamonds Performs at Lone Star Shindig at Americanafest in Nashville. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Texas Takes Nashville By Storm!
Texas music was on full display at this year’s Americanafest in Nashville, Tennessee.
On September 11, 2025, the Rooftop Lounge at Bobby Nashville came alive with the spirited sounds of Texas for the Lone Star Shindig, presented by Kessler Presents, Longhorn Ballroom, the Texas Music Office, and Prekindle. The atmosphere was a perfect mix of casual summer rooftop energy, community gathering, and live music celebration that has become a “don’t miss event” for Americanafest attendees from Texas and around the world.
The lineup featured a wide range of Texas artists showcasing the depth and variety of Americana, country, soul, and roots-inflected styles. Headliners included Reckless Kelly and Ruthie Foster, with standout performances also from Joshua Ray Walker, Summer Dean, Nicky Diamonds, Jonathan Terrell, Presley Haile, West Texas Exiles, Simon Flory, Dev Wulf, Marley Hale, and Macy Todd.
Each act brought their own flavor — Reckless Kelly delivering high octane swagger, Foster with powerful vocals and emotional resonance, and the up-and-coming names adding fresh voices and stories. The result was a tapestry of Texas sounds felt deeply in the heart of Nashville.
Texas music could be found throughout Music City with Fort Worth being named this year’s “Spotlight City” (more on this below). Dallas’ iconic alt-country band Old 97’s performed at the historic Ryman Auditorium for the Americana Music Awards and received a lifetime achievement award. Other Texas highlights were Austin based cumbia/psych outfit The Animeros performing at The Easy Eye Fish Fry alongside host artists The Black Keys, and the country swing / old time jazz stylings of Melissa Carper could be heard at Brown’s Diner.
 (L-R) TMO Director Chip Adams, Mayor of Fort Worth Mattie Parker, Director of Fort Worth Music Office Tom Martens Photo: Jessica Waffles
Fort Worth named Spotlight City of 2025 Americanafest
Fort Worth earned the distinction of Spotlight City at AmericanaFest in Nashville. As part of that honor, Fort Worth presented panels and showcases — including a discussion called “Fort Worth, Texas: Creating a Scene” that explored the city’s creative evolution, which featured TMO Director Chip Adams, acclaimed country artist Summer Dean, artist and cultural leader Brandi Waller-Pace (founder of the Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival), Tom Martens (Director of the Fort Worth Music Office), and talent buyer Brooks Kendall of Afallon Productions.
Fort Worth’s musical community made a statement with both its Official Showcase and the Cowtown GitDown. The Spotlight City Showcase was held September 11 at Analog in the Hutton Hotel, featured performances by Pace, Dean, Jack Barksdale, Claire Hinkle, and Matthew McNeal, with a special appearance from Abraham Alexander. TMO Director Adams presented Mayor Mattie Parker with a letter from Governor Abbott in recognition of the city’s support of their music community, and Mayor Parker formally presented a “Delbert McClinton Day” proclamation, honoring the city’s own Grammy-winning musical legend for his decades of artistic achievement, influence, and service to the Fort Worth music community.
Celebrating 20 Years of HAAM Day
The 20th Annual HAAM Day Music Festival on September 23, 2025, marked a joyous and impactful celebration across Austin, as the city turned into a sprawling musical marketplace to support the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). As HAAM’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the festival featured over 250 free performances by more than 300 local musicians across more than 100 venues and businesses, from grocery stores and restaurants to rooftops and parks. For two decades, HAAM Day has served not only as a showcase of Austin’s vibrant musical ecosystem, but as a critical vehicle for raising awareness and funds to provide accessible health services for low-income musicians and arts workers.
One of the most memorable moments of this year’s festival came at the Texas State Capitol steps, where Chip Adams, Director of the Texas Music Office (TMO), presented a Letter of Recognition from Governor Greg Abbott to Paul Scott, CEO of HAAM (seen here with TMO staff). The ceremony underscored the state’s support for HAAM’s mission and the role of music in Austin’s identity and economy.
Accompanying that recognition were live performances on the Capitol steps by Gina Chavez and Graham Wilkinson, whose music projected to the grounds below and added gravity to the symbolic gesture of solidarity and cultural pride.
The festival also embodied HAAM Day’s signature approach of bringing music to every corner of the city. Attendees could wander from café to market, rooftop to venue, following the beat via an interactive event map while enjoying performances in unexpected places. Beyond the central highlights, the festival spotlighted many local artists in pop-up showcases, and participating businesses donated proceeds or hosted sets in support of HAAM’s broader goal—raising $850,000 or more to support healthcare access for artists facing rising insurance costs. Through music, recognition, and community mobilization, HAAM Day 2025 commemorated 20 years of sustaining Austin’s creative backbone while reminding the city that behind every song is the health and well‑being of those who make them.
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Texas Sounds and Cities Conference Heads to Corpus Christi
The 7th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference will take place November 5–6, 2025, in Corpus Christi, bringing together stakeholders from across the state to celebrate and strengthen the impact of Texas music. Hosted by the City of Corpus Christi, Visit Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Music Commission, and the Texas Music Office, the conference serves as a central meeting point for Music Friendly Texas Certified Communities. Attendees will engage in dynamic discussions focused on growing local music economies, enhancing music tourism, and building stronger cross-city collaboration. Participants will also hear updates from state programs, grants, and industry leaders, with ample time set aside for networking, collaboration, and idea sharing.
The conference kicks off Wednesday, November 5, with a guided music tour, including a stop at the iconic Freddie Records, followed by registration at the host hotel and an opening night reception at House of Rock featuring a live set from Corpus Christi’s own El Dusty. The main conference day, Thursday, November 6, unfolds at Rockit’s Saloon, starting with welcomes from local and state leaders, followed by a full day of presentations, panels, and breakouts. Topics range from state music program updates to conversations about Make Music Day, the Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program, heritage tourism, advocacy, and industry trends like rising venue insurance costs. Sessions will also spotlight regional voices and offer practical guidance on licensing, compliance, and best practices for community music development.
Highlights include a special Freddie Records celebration and proclamation, a deep-dive interview with House of Rock owner Casey Lain and El Dusty, and roundtable sessions led by event consultant S. David Ramirez. The day wraps with an awards segment and closing reception at BUS, followed by a personalized dinner crawl through downtown Corpus Christi. As one of the state’s most engaging music industry gatherings, Texas Sounds & Cities continues to play a key role in shaping how Texas cities grow and support their local music scenes.
Texas Music Grant Applications Now Open
The Texas Music Office, within the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, is now accepting applications for the FY2026 Texas Music License Plate Grant. This grant supports Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations working on music-related education and community initiatives. Applications are open from September 15, 2025, to December 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM CT, with funded projects beginning as early as January 1, 2026, and concluding no later than August 31, 2026.
Award amounts range from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on project scope and available funding. These grants are funded through the sale of Texas Music specialty license plates and related donations, in accordance with Texas Education Code §7.027.
To apply, eligible nonprofits must submit their applications through the eGrants system. Applicants must have or create an eGrants account using their organization’s 9-digit EIN and provide detailed organizational and project information, including contact details for three grant officials. Projects should enhance music education or community music engagement within Texas. All grant decisions are contingent on available appropriated state funds and compliance with state laws and guidelines.
Get Your Texas Music License Plate Today!
Hayes Carll (seen here with the Texas Music License Plate) is one of Texas’ finest songwriters.
His new album We’re Only Human is a collection of songs that hold humor, heartbreak, and hard-earned wisdom in equal measure. Across the record, Hayes wrestles with life’s contradictions, failures, and small mercies - offering stories that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. From sharp social commentary to reflections on love and redemption, We’re Only Human explores what it means to be alive with honesty and a wry grin.
Produced with Gordy Quist of Band of Heathens, the stripped-down warmth of the album feels like Hayes at his most open and unguarded. It’s a reminder that mistakes, resilience, and hope all share the same space. "We’re Only Human" isn’t about having the answers — it’s about carrying on, finding light, and smiling along the way.
Check out Hayes Carll on tour and get yourself a copy of We’re Only Human!
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Texas Songwriter U Now Accepting 2026 Submissions
Submissions for the 2026 Texas Songwriter U program will remain open through November 1, 2025.
Texas singer/songwriter Jack Ingram will host the three-day songwriter discovery and development program in partnership with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).
The three-day event features showcases, feedback sessions, co-writing opportunities, and direct access to top industry leaders.
Mentors for the 2026 season include Jack Ingram—award-winning Texas singer-songwriter, fierce advocate for emerging artists, and longtime champion of TXSU—alongside GRAMMY-winning and multi-songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Liz Rose (Taylor Swift, Little Big Town), and GRAMMY-winning songwriter Lori McKenna, whose emotionally rich storytelling has shaped hits like “Humble and Kind” and “Girl Crush.”
Eight finalists will be selected to attend the 2026 program, hosted February 1–4 at a private ranch just outside Austin.
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