 Photo: Knightstorm Productions
TEXAS MUSIC CITIES COME TOGETHER IN CORPUS CHRISTI
The 7th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference took place in Corpus Christi, bringing together music industry leaders, city representatives, and artists from across the state for two days of networking, education, and celebration. The event kicked off on Wednesday, November 5, with attendees welcomed to the Gulf Coast city for a special Corpus Christi music tour at Freddie Records, one of the region’s most iconic recording labels. The evening culminated with an opening reception at the House of Rock, where guests enjoyed live music from local favorite El Dusty, setting the tone for a conference deeply rooted in the city’s vibrant music culture.
The main conference day on Thursday, November 6, began with welcomes from Emily Zertuche of Visit Corpus Christi and Chip Adams, Director of the Texas Music Office (TMO). Sessions throughout the day provided key updates on TMO programs, including the Music Friendly Texas Certified Community Program, Music License Plate Grants, and the Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program. Presentations also explored heritage tourism through the Lone Star Muisc Legacy Trail, community events like Make Music Day, and music advocacy from the Recording Academy’s Texas Chapter. A midday networking lunch gave attendees a chance to connect, while afternoon sessions addressed pressing industry topics such as venue insurance costs, music licensing compliance, and women’s leadership in the music industry.
The day concluded with a series of engaging discussions and celebrations that showcased Corpus Christi’s musical legacy. A highlight was the Corpus on Corpus Dream Team interview featuring House of Rock owner Casey Lain and DJ El Dusty, followed by a special presentation of recognition honoring Freddie Records’ Freddie Martinez, Sr. The conference wrapped up with roundtable breakout sessions, awards presentations, and a lively closing reception at BUS, offering one final opportunity for collaboration and camaraderie.
It was announced that the 8th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities conference will be held in Dallas in November 2026.
TMO LAUNCHES THE NEW TEXAS MUSIC INDUSTRY DATABASE
The Texas Music Industry Database, maintained by the Texas Music Office (TMO), serves as Texas’s premier central resource for mapping and supporting the state’s vibrant commercial music ecosystem. As part of TMO–within the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office–this directory lists more than 15,000 music-industry businesses, including artists, venues, recording studios, publishers, legal and tour services, radio stations, and more. By categorizing listings city by city and region by region, the database is designed to help both local music professionals and external investors, promoters, or collaborators find and connect with the broad range of Texas-based industry players.
Beyond serving as a contact directory, the database plays a strategic economic function: the Texas Music Office leverages it to inform policy, promote music-friendly communities, and drive statewide growth in the creative economy. The TMO also uses it to coordinate its Music Friendly Texas program—which certifies cities that actively support music-industry development—and to administer financial initiatives like the Texas Music Incubator Rebate and music education grants. By keeping the directory updated and accessible, the TMO ensures that Texas’s music business infrastructure remains transparent, connected, and poised for long-term economic impact.
|
TMO at the Texas Festivals & Events Association Conference
The Texas Festivals & Events Association (TFEA) Annual Conference and Trade Show, held November 9–12, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Austin, drew more than 300 event professionals from across the state, representing city governments, convention bureaus, non-profits, production companies, and more. Attendees exchanged ideas, built relationships, and explored the latest trends in the field through a packed agenda of educational sessions, networking receptions, and a lively trade show. The convention’s scale reflects the collective impact of its participants, who together produce thousands of events each year and reach millions of people.
At the heart of this year’s conference was Texas Music Office (TMO) involvement, represented by Jaclyn Zapata, Program Specialist for the Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR) Program. Zapata spoke on the importance of supporting music venues and festival promoters, emphasizing how the TMIR program helps sustain the live-music ecosystem by offering rebates on beverage and liquor taxes, providing critical financial support that keeps grassroots stages alive. Her remarks underscored TMO’s broader mission to strengthen Texas’s creative economy and nurture local music infrastructure through strategic, community-focused initiatives.
 (L-R)Texas Talent Musicians Association (TTMA) Vice President Frank Salazar, President Robert Arellano, Texas Rodeo Saloon owner Perry Thomson, long time award show organizer Beno Gaona who is celebrating 20 years with the organization, the Texas Music Office’s Steve Ray. Photo: Mariaelena Villarreal
Tejano Music Awards Celebrates 45 years
The 45th Annual Tejano Music Awards ushered in a fresh era by moving from its long-time home in San Antonio to the Texas Rodeo Saloon in Katy. The event featured a red-carpet kickoff followed by live performances from both Tejano legends and rising stars, including Monica Saldívar, Ram Herrera, Lucky Joe, Art Tigerina, The Homeboyz, a special tribute to Flaco Jimenez by Max Baca Y Los Texmaniacs and more. Comedian Alex Reymundo brought his upbeat humor as host, setting a tone of celebration and renewal.
Monica Saldívar was one of the night’s biggest winners: taking home Female Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year for “Ya Lo Sé Que Tú Te Vas,” and Collaboration of the Year for “Pienso En Ti” alongside Texas Latino. Texas Latino also secured Album of the Year (Tejano) for Volumen II, while their frontman Gabe Rivera grabbed Male Vocalist of the Year. Rising talent Luis AG took home Best New Male Artist and Best Group with the Oros Band, and Jenny B won Best New Female Artist. Veteran Ricardo Castillón y La Diferenzia were named Entertainer of the Year, and Lucky Joe’s “Tumba Falsa” won Song of the Year. Legendary Tejano icons Ram Herrera and Johnny Hernandez were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards, recognizing decades of influence.
The Texas Music Office’s Steve Ray presented the award for Male Vocalist of the Year and letters on behalf of Governor Greg Abbott recognizing Texas Talent Musicians Association (TTMA) President Robert Arellano, Vice President Frank Salazar, and Event Organizer Bino Gaona along with venue owner Perry Tomson and promoter Nick Guerra for their efforts in bringing the 45th anniversary of the Tejano Music Awards to Katy.
Keeping the Texas Music Communites Healthy For The Holidays
The holidays are a time for caring for the people who matter most, and many Texas communities extend that spirit to the creative professionals who shape their cultural identity. In Dallas and Austin, community-backed programs are working to keep local music scenes thriving at the most essential level: by keeping the musicians healthy. These initiatives recognize that creative workers often lack access to traditional healthcare and deserve support that reflects their value to the community.
In Dallas, Creatives Care Dallas — launched by the Dallas Music Office and Arete Health Shield — provides tailored health and wellness services for gig-based creatives, from musicians to filmmakers. The program also reinvests directly into the arts ecosystem by directing annual proceeds to a local nonprofit; in 2026, that beneficiary is Amplified Minds, a mental health organization offering free therapy and group counseling. This model supports both the well-being of individual artists and the long-term strength of the city’s creative community.
|
Austin's Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) follows a similar mission by offering comprehensive medical, dental, mental-health, vision, and hearing services to low-income working musicians. To support this work during the holidays, one meaningful gift option is Austin’s Music Scene: Your Guide to the City’s Most Iconic Artists & Venues, a rich, full-color book celebrating Austin’s musical heritage. With half of all net proceeds benefiting HAAM, it’s a gift that delights music lovers while helping sustain the artists who make Texas’s music culture so vibrant.
Thank you for supporting Texas Music this year, and we look forward to a happy and healthy 2026!
|
|
