Prolific producer Lloyd Maines has worked on 4,000-plus projects in his career, including producing tracks for his daughter Natalie Maines' band, Dixie Chicks, and their multi-platinum selling albums.

One of the first things you'll discover about producer, pedal steel player, Grammy Award-winning musician Lloyd Maines is that he's incredibly humble considering his exceptional career...down to Earth in that earnest, hardscrabble West Texas way that the thousands of musicians and music industry veterans that have worked with him can attest. The man lives and breathes music, and as one of the most sought after producers in Texas, headed into his fifth decade as a music business professional, he shows no signs of slowing down.

Maines: "(In Part 1 of the interview published in January 2017's newsletter) You’d mentioned the off-shoot, ripple effect of the Jerry Jeff Walker records (that inspired so many Texas singer-songwriters). And I really believe that. The 'Live at Gruene Hall' (1989) had a really great popularity right out of the chutes.

"And then I did a record of Chris Wall, who actually wrote a couple of the songs on the 'Live at Gruene Hall' record. 

"And then because of The Gonzo Band…Jerry Jeff at that point had gotten back with the Lost Gonzo guys. So, I did their Lost Gonzo 20th anniversary record. And I did another after that with them. And because of all that...well, Pat Green was going to Texas Tech at the time. And of course he was a huge Jerry Jeff fan. So he asked me to do his first record, 'Dancehall Dreamer.' And I think I did the following 4 or 5 records with Pat. I can’t remember exactly how many, quite a bit though. 

"And then cause of Pat, Cory Morrow – who is another Texas Tech guy – did a record. And I feel really fortunate to get to work with these guys. Guys like Roger Creager, Owen Temple - I hate to start naming ‘em because I’m gonna forget somebody - Adam Carroll. 

"I mean, come on, Adam Carroll is one of the best writers…ever! I’m not sure if you’re familiar with his stuff."

TMO: Yeah, you know Adam Carroll is one of those guys where it seems like he doesn’t get the credit where he might be due.

Maines: Yeah…although, have you heard this new tribute record I did for him?

TMO: No, I haven’t.

Maines: Man…you gotta get that. It’s 15 different artists: James McMurtry, Terri Hendrix, Band of Heathens, Slaid Cleaves…I can’t name them all. But there’s 15 different artists all doing Adam Carroll songs. And it’s called “Highway Prayer.” I don’t have any copies, or I’d sent one to you. But it was put together by Jenni Finlay. Her label had me work as musical director on that project. Jenni and Brian Atkinson produced it. 

"It’s a great record. You listen to it, and you realize what an absolutely awesome songwriter Adam is…people just love him!

"And then, I had a chance to start producing Terri Hendrix stuff in 1997. I started producing her records, and I’ve been working with her ever since then. In the last 20 years, I’ve done 15-16 records with her. I did two of those last year, and we’re doing two more this year. She’s also just a phenomenal writer. She’s right up there with the best.

"And I can’t forget Robert Earl Keen. I actually worked with Robert back in the ‘90s on this play that Terry Allen wrote. And then I worked on 'Number 2 LIVE Dinner' that we recorded in 1995."

TMO: That’s considered a classic now.

Maines: "Totally, totally. Well, actually it was his all-time best selling record…might still be. And a year and a half ago, we did a 20th anniversary version of that record called 'Live Dinner Reunion,' where he revisited Floore’s Country Store and did another live record."

TMO: In that situation, are you playing on the record? Or are you playing and producing the record too?

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February 2017 was a busy month for the Texas Music Office, beginning on February 1st with TMO Director Brendon Anthony traveling to Fort Worth to present Leon Bridges with the Fort Worth Convention & Visitor's Bureau's "Hospitality Award." 

February 8th saw the TMO interacting with various central Texas musicians and music businesses at the Austin Music Foundation's annual "Feel the Love" music business expo.

On Sunday, February 12th, Anthony moderated a panel during the RHI Sociable Cities Summit in Austin. The panelists included current Austin mayor Steve Adler, former Austin mayor Will Wynn, as well as representatives from Burlington, Pittsburgh and Edmonton, Alberta. Their panel discussion centered on the intentional growth and management of creative economies.

Later that week on Thursday, February 16th, the TMO's Program Specialist Steve Ray traveled to Kansas City to promote and manage multiple days of Texas music showcases at the annual Folk Alliance International Conference. The showcases were presented in conjunction with (and co-sponsored by) the Kessler & Heights Theater's Edwin Cabaniss (pictured left in the accompanying photo).

Meanwhile, during the same week, Anthony traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with executives from the NMPA, the RIAA, Sound Exchange, the Copyright Alliance, as well as with the Office of the Governor's federal legislative affairs team to discuss opportunities for Texas musicians and national policy that affects Texas musicians and music businesses.

TMO on KGSR 93.3 FM

TMO Director Brendon Anthony interviewed by KGSR in February for their "People of Austin" series 

The interview offered insights into the day-to-day work that the Texas Music Office undertakes, as well as Anthony's plans for the office's future. 

"Brendon Anthony has seen just about every side of Texas music there is to see - from being a renowned and in-demand fiddle player through his younger years, and now settling into his role as only the second Director of the Texas Music Office over the course of that agency's history," wrote KGSR Morning Show DJ Chris Mosser in his interview preview. "Brendon's a thoughtful and savvy guy who's clearly dedicated to making the most out of our beloved - and occasionally endangered - music community and industry here in Austin and across the Lone Star State."

You can listen to an archive of that interview, which includes Anthony's history: from his days at Texas A&M, to his career as a musician, that eventually led him to his work at the TMO.

$22 out of the $30 fee goes directly toward grants for traditionally under-resourced Texas school children to receive music lessons, music instruments, and toward community music programs sponsored by 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.

You can purchase a license plate from the Texas DMV here: goo.gl/pLpwgV.

And nonprofit organizations may apply for a license plate grant to fund the purchase of music lessons and/or music instruments via the Office of the Governor's eGrants online application. Grant applications may only be completed online via eGrants.

During the Texas chapter's luncheon at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol, the Texas Music Office presented the results of a months-long research project on the state of the Texas music industry.

Additionally, congratulations to the 12 acts born-or-based in Texas that received 15 awards at the 59th Annual GRAMMY® Awards ceremony on February 12, 2017. GRAMMY Award winners included: Willie Nelson, Maren Morris, Snarky Puppy, Solange, Beyoncé, Robert Glasper, Pentatonix, Kirk Franklin, Sarah Jarosz, Zuill Bailey, Carol Burnett, and Tamela Mann!