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Texas Music Update - A monthly newsletter from the Texas Music Office, Office of the Governor
NOVEMBER 2025 EDITION
JZ AT NIVA INDY

(L-R) Chris Cobb, Rep Kyle Pierce, TMO's Jaclyn Zapata, Jim Rawlinson (photo: Chris Whonsetler)

TEXAS LEADS THE WAY AT NIVA LIVE

 

At the NIVA LIVE Conference in Indianapolis on October 15, Texas Music Office (TMO) Program Specialist Jaclyn Zapata shared insights on the Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR) program during the “Sustaining Live: State Incentives and Live Performance Funds” session. The TMIR program, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Texas, provides rebates on mixed beverage taxes to qualifying music venues and promoters, aiming to bolster the state’s live music infrastructure. Zapata discussed the program’s implementation, eligibility criteria, and the measurable impact it has had on revitalizing local venues post-pandemic, strengthening the cultural and economic fabric of Texas communities.

The panel, moderated by Jim Rawlinson of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, also featured industry and policy leaders from Tennessee and Indiana. Together, they examined how state-level funding programs—like Tennessee’s live performance fund and Texas’s tax rebate initiative—are reshaping the landscape for live entertainment. The discussion highlighted common legislative goals such as economic stimulation, job creation, and cultural preservation, while also exploring the legislative pathways and stakeholder collaboration required to turn these innovative policies into law. The session served as a valuable case study in how targeted public investment can sustain and grow music ecosystems across the country.

 

Learn More [ [link removed] ]

 

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LEON COMP 2

Photos by Brooks Burris / Amanda McCoy

FORT WORTH HONORS HOMETOWN HERO LEON BRIDGES

 

In a heartfelt celebration on October 7, 2025, Fort Worth honored one of its own by unveiling a street sign topper bearing the name Leon Bridges along a stretch of South Calhoun Street, between East Vickery Boulevard and East Broadway Avenue. The ceremony took place at Niles City Sound—the very studio where Bridges recorded his debut album, "Coming Home", a place now steeped in both personal memory and local legend. Surrounded by city and state officials including Fort Worth Mayor Parker, Fort Worth Music Office Director Tom Martens, and TMO Director Chip Adams, music industry partners, long-time fans, and friends, Bridges pulled back a drape to reveal the mark of his hometown legacy, visibly moved by the moment.

The street naming is more than a symbolic gesture—it’s a recognition of the deep ties between the artist and Fort Worth’s creative identity. The City Council unanimously approved the resolution on September 30, paving the way for the sign toppers to become a permanent fixture in the Near Southside neighborhood. For Bridges, who has long maintained pride in his roots by referencing Fort Worth in his music and imagery, the honor is “surreal”—a homecoming immortalized in the very streets where his career first took shape.

Learn More [ [link removed] ]

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MUSIC GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN 

 

summer dean

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.

Summer Dean (seen here with the Texas Music License Plate) is a Texas‑born singer‑songwriter whose soulful Southern storytelling and honky‑tonk grit have firmly established her among the Lone Star State’s most compelling voices. Raised in North Texas in a ranching family, she spent a decade teaching elementary school before taking the leap into full‑time music in her 40s—cashing in what was supposed to be her wedding fund to record her breakthrough album. Her 2021 debut album, "Bad Romantic", recorded at an analog studio and featuring a duet with Colter Wall, introduced her classic country leanings, emotional honesty, and Texan authenticity.

Her latest album, "The Biggest Life" (released June 16, 2023), sees her deepen her songwriting and embrace vulnerability like never before. Produced by country legend Bruce Robison and recorded entirely analog in his studio, the 13‑song collection features raw, unfiltered performances that foreground Dean’s voice and perspective. With titles such as “The Biggest Life Worth Living Is the Small” and “Lonely Girl’s Lament,” the album reflects on life’s quiet truths, the joys and pains of being single in your 40s, and the subtleties of Texan everyday experience.

Dean’s stage presence is as authentic as her records—performing with a five‑piece band or solo, she commands the room with humor, tough earned insight, and the musical weight of someone who came late to her calling and made it count.

 

Apply Here [ [link removed] ]


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leakey

(L-R) President of Songs on the Frio - Jan Larsen, Local Manager of the Leakey TMO Initiative - Tim McLaughlin

 

LEAKEY BECOMES 90th MUSIC FRIENDLY TEXAS COMMUNITY

 

On October 11, 2025, the Texas Music Office officially designated Leakey, Texas, as a Music Friendly Texas Community, celebrating the city’s vibrant and growing music culture. The dedication ceremony took place at the Bent Rim Grill, a beloved Hill Country venue known for its live performances, friendly atmosphere, and famous burgers. Local residents, musicians, and visitors gathered to mark the occasion, reflecting the town’s pride in joining a statewide network of communities dedicated to supporting and promoting Texas music.

Leakey now stands as the 90th city in Texas to earn this distinction. Though small in population, the town boasts an impressive music scene that resonates throughout the Hill Country. Weekly live shows bring people together, while the annual Songs on the Frio festival each November transforms Leakey into a destination for country music fans. The festival has welcomed an incredible lineup of acclaimed songwriters—such as Radney Foster, Leslie Satcher, David Lee, Kent Blazy, Brett James, Aaron Barker, Danny Myrick, and more—and continues to grow under the production of Mississippi Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Danny Myrick. The 2025 event will feature performances from Bob DiPiero, Terry McBride, Paul Jenkins, Bridgette Tatum, Dean Alexander, and Megan Linville.

This new recognition from the Texas Music Office is expected to further elevate Leakey’s profile as a cultural hub in the region. Local organizers say the designation will help attract more artists, audiences, and educational opportunities, nurturing both established musicians and emerging talent. “Music has always been a part of what makes Leakey special,” organizers shared. “This designation shines a light on our local talent and helps us continue building a legacy of live music that connects generations.”

Learn More [ [link removed] ]

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ts and c corpus

TEXAS SOUNDS & CITIES CONFERENCE 

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.

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REGISTER HERE [ [link removed] ]

 

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Upcoming Events

*November 5-9*
*Rockport Songwriter Festival *
Rockport
more info [ [link removed] ]

*November 8*
*Brownsville Latin Music Festival *
Brownsville
more info [ [link removed] ]

*November 13-15*
*Old Quarter Singer/Songwriter Festival *
Galveston
more info [ [link removed] ]

*November 15*
*Troubadour Festival *
Celina
more info [ [link removed] ]

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november plate ad [ [link removed] ]




Since 1990, the Texas Music Office (TMO), in the Governor’s Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, has fostered the economic development of Texas music businesses, Texas musicians and Texas communities. TMO operates an extensive network of certified Music Friendly Community partners across the state, 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.

State of Texas, Office of the Governor, Texas Music Office
Texas Music Office • P.O. Box 12428 • Austin, Texas 78711 • (512) 463-6666

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GovDelivery [ [link removed] ], Inc. sending on behalf of the Office of the Governor · P.O. Box 12428 · Austin TX 78711-2428 · 800-843-5789