Austin, Texas (Top40 Charts/ Texas Music Hall of Fame) The stars were out shining brightly before sundown supporting
Texas music and the people who create it at the long awaited announcement of the
Texas Music Hall of Fame.
"The time is now," said Edward Z. Fair, Executive
Director of The
Texas Music Hall of Fame. "Texans have had a tremendous impact on the development of all styles of music in the United States and around the world."
The curtain rose on The
Texas Music Hall of Fame Wednesday, October 19 in Austin with a Kick-Off Party that included entertainment by the ZOTS of San Antonio. 13-year-old Jonathan Stone Morales and his 10-year-old brother Jude performed a set of
Texas music classics along with some original material. Their father is Grammy winner Michael Morales.
Marcia Ball, Joe Ely, Kathy
Valentine of the Go-Go's, Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, Jimmy LaFave, Joe King Carrasco, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Lee Roy Parnell, Monte Warden and Paul Wall, who is also President of the
Texas Chapter
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences took a break from touring schedules to be on hand for the big announcement.
"People don't say
Texas oil,
Texas football. Well maybe they do but then they say
Texas music," said Marcia Ball. "We need to bring that into sharp focus and honor the people who brought us here."
Other artists showing support for the TMHOF included: Chris Taylor, Todd Potter and Dave Force of Bubble Puppy, Brian Hofeldt of the Derailers, Jack Ingram, Miles Zuniga of Fastball, Carrie Rodriguez, Cindy Cashdollar,
Eliza Gilkyson,
Shelley King, Reckless Kelly, Stefano Intelisano, Connie Hancock and Traci Lamar of the Texana Dames.
Also spotted in the crowd were Cody and Willy Braun of Reckless Kelly, Coleman Steagall, Denny Freeman, Van Wilks, Mike Shermer, Paul Beasley, Eric Johnson,
Kevin Russell, Randy Rogers and
Natalie Zoe.
The
Texas Music Hall of Fame recognizes and honors performers, songwriters, producers and other music business professionals who have made a significant contribution to
Texas music or otherwise created a music legacy and seeks to educate the public about the achievements of such individuals.
"The
Texas Music Hall of Fame has assembled an incredible board with each member bringing his or her unique background and expertise to the table," said Fair. "Of course the common thread among all of them is a love for
Texas music."
Board members include:
Danny Eaton - Live Nation Entertainment
Ed Fair -
Music attorney
Dr. Gary Hartman - Center for
Texas Music History at
Texas State University
Terry Lickona - Executive Producer, Austin City Limits
W. Mark Meyer - R.R. Advisors, LLC/RCH
Energy Investment Funds
Casey Monahan (ex-officio) -Texas
Music Office, Governor's Office
Leslie Moore - Owner, Word of Mouth Catering, Co-owner Mercury Hall
Steve Moore -CEO, Country
Music Association
Margaret Moser - Austin Chronicle's Annual Austin
Music Awards
Donnie
Nelson - President and General Manager Dallas Mavericks
Rose Reyes - Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
Roy Spence - GSD&M
Dan Workman - Sugar Hill Studios
Beginning in 2012, five members will be inducted into the Featured Performer Category of the
Texas Music Hall of Fame and one member will be inducted into the Non-Performer Category. The members selected for induction each year will be announced in the second quarter of the year. A major induction event will be held in the fall of each year.
"Our selection process is similar to the processes used by the Country
Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," said Fair. "Given the depth of
Texas music, we will never run short of worthy candidates."
While the induction is the pinnacle of the
Texas Music Hall of Fame, there are many other activities planned:
Texas Music Hall of Fame Concert Series
Talent N Texas: Regional performance competitions with celebrity judges. The statewide winner will perform at the next year's induction ceremony.
Educational programs and conferences, seminars, panels, etc. addressing different aspects of
Texas music
Student Essay Competitions: High school and college categories. Winners will receive scholarships and winning essays posted on website.
The kickoff announcement will include the unveiling of the
Texas Music Hall of Fame website: https://www.TexasMusicHOF.com
"The internet gives us the opportunity to reach people all over the world" "One of our initial key projects will be the creation of a "virtual"
Texas Music Hall of Fame through our website," said Fair.
