Music is one of Texas’ top tourist attraction and has a positive impact on the state’s economy. Today, I would like to share with you information about this important type of tourism. Even though the state is widely known for its country music, the music industry in Texas is very diverse and unique in its genre, which include country and western, rock and roll, Tejano, blues, jazz, and gospel. Many iconic musicians originated in Texas – Buddy Holly, Bob Wills (“The King of Western Swing”), Selena, Beyonce, Ornette Coleman, George Jones, Freddy Fender, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, to name a few – and left their influence on the genres that followed. The unique industry in Texas is highly successful and rich in its history.
There are over 15,000 Texas music businesses, over 1,000 Texas radio stations and 8,000 Texas recording artists. To manage all of this, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Music Office nearly 30 years ago. The Texas Music Office is the official economic development office for the Texas music industry, which has an annual multi-billion-dollar economic impact on the state’s economy. For more information about the Texas Music Office and to view the resources that the office provides, please visit the Texas Music Office.
To help support musicians and protect their work from piracy, I have introduced House Bill (HB) 3836. HB 3836 will require websites that disseminate music or videos to disclose their contact information on their sites so that consumers will know who to contact if there is an issue with content or payment for the content. The legislation would provide protection for consumers and artists against sites that do not have licenses for the work they distribute.
Del Mar College will help host a virtual forum on March 31 to highlight HB 3836 and Texas leaders from the Recording Academy, the world’s leading society of music professionals, will offer their perspective during the “Power on for Texas Music forum.” They will highlight their advocacy efforts during the ongoing legislative session, which began in January and will last until the end of May. The “Power on for Texas Music” forum will last from 2p.m. to 3p.m. and will be available for the public to view online. Those who wish to view the forum can register at Power On For Texas Music Registration.
I have also recently formed a Music Task Force consisting of Coastal Bend artists, musicians, and business community members. The Music Task Force provides ideas and input on ways to foster the continued growth of the music industry in the region.
If you would like to review more about the legislature, please visit the Texas Legislature. If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.
