JUNE 2026 TMO NEWSLETTER

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Texas Music Update - A monthly newsletter from the Texas Music Office, Office of the Governor

JUNE 2026 EDITION
Jimmie Vaughn 75th

Jimmie Vaughn and TMO's Graham Weber at Austin Blues Fest

 

Texas Honors Jimmie Vaughan 

Jimmie Vaughan was honored during his headline performance at the Austin Blues Fest on April 25, where he received an official letter of recognition from the State of Texas in celebration of his 75th birthday. Signed by Governor Greg Abbott, the letter highlighted Vaughan’s decades-long impact on Texas blues music and his role in carrying the state’s rich musical traditions to audiences around the world. The moment served as a fitting tribute to one of Texas’ most respected and influential guitarists, whose career has helped define the sound of modern blues.

The presentation was made onstage by Graham Weber of the Texas Music Office, adding an official state presence to the celebration. Fans gathered at the festival responded with enthusiastic applause as Vaughan accepted the recognition before continuing his set. After the presentation, Vaughan launched into the classic song “Texas Flood” to the delight of his fans and admirers of his late brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan. The performance added an emotional and deeply personal touch to the evening, highlighting the enduring musical legacy shared by the Vaughan brothers.

 

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pearland mft certification

L - R: Larry Eshleman (The Black Friday Project), Teri Mazhar (Visit Pearland), Tracy Rohrbacher (Visit Pearland), Deputy City Manager Victor Brownlees (City of Pearland), Gini Mascorro (Texas Music Office), Breanna Butler (Visit Pearland), Former Mayor Kevin Cole (City of Pearland), Carolyn Casey Figueroa (Visit Pearland), Lynn & Charlette Brown (Tony Booth Traditional Country) *they are behind the group, John Gilmore (Modulation Band), Heather Scharbor (Allegro Pearland Academy of Music) and Tammy Chambers (Pearland Community Band).


Pearland Certified as the 94th Music Friendly Texas Community

 

On April 25, 2026, the City of Pearland officially received its Music Friendly Texas Community certification during the city’s Grand Arts & Eats Festival, marking an important milestone in the city’s continued investment in arts and culture. The certification was presented by Gini Mascorro of the Texas Music Office, who joined city officials, local musicians, business leaders, and residents to celebrate the achievement. The designation recognizes Pearland’s commitment to supporting live music, fostering opportunities for local artists, and strengthening the city’s creative economy.

The Music Friendly Texas Community certification reflects months of collaboration between community partners, Visit Pearland, and the Texas Music Office to enhance the city’s music ecosystem and cultural identity. As the 94th certified Music Friendly Texas community, Pearland joins a statewide network focused on promoting music tourism, economic development, and community engagement through the arts. City leaders noted that the recognition will help attract future performances, festivals, and visitors while creating new opportunities for musicians and reinforcing Pearland’s growing reputation as a vibrant cultural destination in the Greater Houston area.



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Brennen at SelectUSA

Brennen Leigh and Kevin Skrla perform at SelectUSA


Texas Provides the Soundtrack for International Investment 

 

The Texas Under the Stars reception, sponsored by the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office together with partners at the Texas Economic Development Corporation and Team Texas, brought a distinctly Lone Star atmosphere to the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026 in National Harbor, Maryland, on May 5, 2026. Held alongside one of the nation’s premier foreign direct investment gatherings, the evening welcomed business leaders, economic development officials, and international investors for networking, Texas hospitality, and a celebration of the state’s growing role in global commerce. The reception highlighted Texas’ strengths in manufacturing, energy, technology, and workforce development while giving attendees an opportunity to connect in a more relaxed setting during the summit.

Guests at the Texas Under the Stars reception also enjoyed a special performance by Dayton, Texas' Brennan Leigh, whose traditional country sound added an authentic Texas touch to the evening. The event reflected the broader spirit of SelectUSA, which drew more than 5,500 participants from over 100 international markets to National Harbor for investment discussions and partnership opportunities. By combining business engagement with Texas culture and entertainment, the reception created a memorable showcase of the state’s welcoming business environment and vibrant heritage.

 

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AMO

 

Music Offices Unite to Form AMO

 

The newly established Association of Music Offices (AMO) officially launched during the 2026 Music Biz Conference, bringing together leaders from music offices, cultural agencies, nonprofit organizations, and industry affiliates across the United States. Created to serve as a national network for music office leadership, AMO aims to share resources, advance best practices, and strengthen the role of music as a driver of economic growth, workforce development, and cultural vitality. The Texas Music Office is proud to be a founding member of this first-of-its-kind organization, which includes representatives from municipal and state music and entertainment offices, cultural affairs departments, nonprofit music organizations, and industry partners, including the Recording Academy.

As a national association dedicated to strengthening music ecosystems, AMO will focus on establishing governance and membership structures, developing data frameworks to measure music’s local impact, creating inclusive community engagement models, building a centralized resource hub, and organizing ongoing forums, policy discussions, and working groups. Alongside fellow founding members from government organizations, community-based organizations, and industry affiliates, the Texas Music Office looks forward to helping advance AMO’s mission of supporting music as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural vitality, and community development. Music offices and allied organizations interested in participating are invited to join AMO’s mailing list and learn more at musicoffices.org.



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