 (L-R) TMO's Stephen Ray, Gini Mascorro, Graham Weber, Jaclyn Zapata, Director Chip Adams
A Letter from TMO Director Chip Adams
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. As we turn the page on another year, I’m proud to reflect on what has been a remarkable period for the Texas Music Office (TMO) and the Texas music community. Our team remains dedicated to serving as the voice of the state’s commercial music industry, and we are energized for the year ahead.
First, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the hardworking TMO staff — Gini Mascorro, Steve Ray, Graham Weber, and Jaclyn Zapata for their commitment and excellence. I am also grateful for the support of Governor Greg Abbott and his staff, as well as Adriana Cruz, Executive Director of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, and her team.
This year, TMO released its biennial Texas Music Industry Economic Impact Report, which tracks ongoing growth across the industry. According to the report, in 2024 the Texas music industry, including music businesses and music education, supported nearly 87,000 permanent jobs, generated $4.9 billion in annual earnings, and contributed over $12.5 billion in economic activity. When factoring in music-related tourism and other ripple effects, the broader economic impact totaled nearly 196,000 permanent jobs, $10.5 billion in earnings, and $31.7 billion in annual activity, along with $564 million in tax revenue for the state.
In FY 2025, the TMO continued administering the Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR) Program, established following the 87th Legislative Session and backed by $20.2 million in funding for FY 2024–2025. TMIR allows eligible music venues and festival promoters to receive up to $100,000 in rebates based on mixed beverage gross receipts tax or sales tax on beer and wine paid in the previous fiscal year.
During the FY 2025 cycle, the program received 250 applications and distributed $10.75 million in rebates to 211 venues and festival promoters. Recipients used these funds to support operations, strengthen marketing efforts, and cover critical business expenses.
To expand access and awareness, TMO launched an extensive statewide TMIR outreach campaign in the summer of 2025, meeting with venue and festival representatives in 15 cities across Texas. This effort helped reach underrepresented communities and resulted in a 100-application increase for the FY 2026 cycle.
The Music Friendly Texas (MFT) Certified Community Program also continued to grow, fostering collaboration, best practices, and job creation at the local level. After months of workshops and community engagement, 21 new cities joined the program in 2025 — including Bandera, Borger, Brownwood, Buda, Cedar Park, Fate, Garland, Graham, Hallettsville, Harlingen, Kilgore, Killeen, League City, Leakey, Little Elm, Lockhart, Mansfield, Menard, Pasadena, Rockport-Fulton, and San Augustine. This expanded our total number of certified Music Friendly Texas communities from 71 to 92 cities statewide.
Collaboration remains a cornerstone of MFT, and this year we hosted the 7th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference in Corpus Christi. The event brought together MFT Community Liaisons and potential member cities for panels, roundtables, and community-building. We extend deep appreciation to our Corpus Christi partners, including Visit Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Film & Music Commission, House of Rock, and Rockit’s Saloon, as well as to our dedicated MFT liaisons who work tirelessly on behalf of their local industries. A more connected Texas music ecosystem is a stronger one, and gatherings like Texas Sounds & Cities help reinforce that bond.
TMO leadership was honored to attend and speak at major industry conferences across the country, including A2IM Indie Week (NY), Americana Music Festival & Conference (TN), the National Independent Venue Association Conference (WI), NIVA Live Policy Summit (IN), the Recording Academy Future Forum (DC), SXSW (TX), and many more.
Our staff also represented the TMO at key events across Texas and beyond; from the ACM Awards in Frisco to Bob Wills Day in Turkey, and from Folk Alliance International in Montreal to the SIMS Foundation 50th Anniversary in Austin. Collectively, these engagements connected us with an audience of more than 42,000 people.
Through our ongoing partnership with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the custom Texas Music License Plate Program, the TMO’s Music Education & Community Grant Program awarded $37,000 in grants in 2025 to underserved communities and deserving nonprofits for music programming and education.
As the first and longest-running standalone state music office in the nation, it is an honor to serve our constituents across this great state. We remain committed to supporting and expanding one of the most influential music ecosystems in the country, and the world. Thank you for your continued support of Texas music. Together, we will ensure that Texas remains a beacon of creativity, culture, and economic opportunity.
Sincerely,
Chip Adams
Director, Texas Music Office
|
Brownwood Certified as 92nd Music Friendly Texas Community
The City of Brownwood was officially designated a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO) on December 13, becoming the 92nd community statewide to earn the distinction and the final city certified in 2025. The recognition follows the completion of a comprehensive, multi-step certification process through the statewide program established in 2016 — the first initiative of its kind in the nation. The designation highlights Brownwood’s dedication to supporting its local music ecosystem and places the city among a growing network of Texas communities actively promoting music industry growth and cultural vitality.
Brownwood’s certification is the result of strong collaboration among city leadership, musicians, venue operators, and community organizations working through the Music Friendly Texas Advisory Board to meet program requirements. The designation acknowledges the city’s existing music assets while also positioning Brownwood to attract new music-related businesses, enhance infrastructure, and encourage long-term cultural and economic development. The official certification ceremony took place during the Yuletide Express: A Vintage Christmas Journey event, seamlessly pairing the milestone with community celebration and live performances by local artists. TMO's Gini Mascorro presented the certification.
City officials and community partners expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities the Music Friendly Texas designation brings to Brownwood’s future. Leaders noted the recognition will elevate awareness of the city’s music scene, support tourism, and improve quality of life by strengthening coordination among musicians, venues, and local businesses. By joining the statewide network of certified communities, Brownwood is well positioned to expand creative opportunities and generate lasting economic impact rooted in its unique cultural identity.
|
 (L-R) Erick Bohorquez – Recording Academy Texas Chapter Governor, Avi Minkoff – Texas Chapter Senior Manager, TMO’s Graham Weber, Kristina Hart – Director of Dallas Music Office, Gina Chavez – Texas Chapter Board President
Texas Grammy Celebration in Dallas
The Recording Academy Texas Chapter Grammy Celebration at the Granada Theater was an energetic and inspiring kickoff to the 2026 awards season, serving as both a celebration of local talent and a vibrant gathering of music professionals. The historic venue buzzed with excitement as Texas Chapter members and nominees mingled on the red carpet, capturing the sense of pride and community among artists from across genres. The event was less formal than the national Grammy telecast, yet it carried a palpable sense of prestige as nominees and new members alike posed for photos and connected with peers.
Highlighting the evening was recognition of this year’s Texas Chapter Grammy nominees, among them established names and rising stars with strong regional ties such as Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Charley Crockett, BigXthaPlug, and Kirk Franklin. The celebration underscored the diversity of the Texas music scene, spotlighting nominees across gospel, jazz, rap, and contemporary genres, including University of North Texas alumni and nationally recognized performers. The atmosphere was both celebratory and collegial, with attendees sharing stories of artistic journeys and the Recording Academy’s role in fostering connections and opportunities.
Overall, the event succeeded as both a social celebration and a meaningful industry moment, bringing together creators, industry professionals, and Academy leadership in anticipation of the main Grammy Awards. It offered a snapshot of Texas’s rich musical landscape while reinforcing the importance of community support and recognition within the Recording Academy. For many local artists, simply being celebrated among peers at this well-organized gathering was a highlight of the year and a reminder of the vibrant cultural contributions Texas continues to make to the wider music world.
 (L-R) Elida Reyna, Freddie Martinez, Jr. – Freddie Records, Lucy Adame-Clark – Bexar County Clerk, Steve Ray – Texas Music Office Photo: Mariaelena Villarreal Photography
Tejano Legend Elida Reyna's Final Bow in San Antonio
Elida Reyna’s final San Antonio performance on December 12 was both an emotional farewell and a joyful celebration, closing the chapter on her extraordinary 34-year career in Tejano music. The sold-out concert at the historic Majestic Theatre marked a powerful full-circle moment for the two-time Latin Grammy winner and her band, Elida Reyna y Avante, as San Antonio was the city where her career first took off in the early 1990s. The evening doubled as a homecoming, enriched by appearances from fellow Tejano standouts such as Elsa Garcia, Michael Salgado, Jesse Turner, Lucky Joe, and Mariachi Campanas De America, underscoring the deep respect and sense of community surrounding her legacy.
Throughout the night, Reyna delivered a moving performance that spanned her celebrated catalog and highlighted the enduring bond she shares with her audience. More than a concert, the event stood as a tribute to her influence on the genre and the cultural pride she helped shape over decades. As fans filled the ornate theater, the atmosphere was charged with reflection, appreciation, and joy, making her final bow both a heartfelt goodbye and a lasting testament to her impact on Texas music. Adding to the significance of the evening, TMO’s Steve Ray presented Reyna with a letter from Governor Abbott recognizing her contributions to Texas music.
.
|
