What is it about Texas music?

What is it about Texas music? Trying to define it is like reviewing a dictionary. There is way too much detail to try to pin it down. However, this much is clear: Texans have given American music its distinctive voice, and that's no brag, just fact.

Without Lubbock native Buddy Holly there could have been no Beatles. Without Ornette Coleman of Fort Worth, bebop would still be the cutting edge of jazz. Texans such as Janis Joplin, Steve Miller, Doug Sahm and ZZ Top permanently and irrevocably changed rock music. Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Leadbelly gave blues music its essence. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and now the Dixie Chicks have redefined modern country music. Van Cliburn helped tear down the Iron Curtain through his passionate interpretation of classical piano. Milton Brown and Bob Wills forged the genesis of Western Swing, while Tex Ritter and Gene Autry popularized Texas' long tradition of Cowboy music in Hollywood, often singing songs written by yet another Texan, Cindy Walker. No less than six uniquely American forms of music - rock and roll, Conjunto, jazz, blues, Tejano and western swing - either was invented or first flourished in the Lone Star State.

And yet, there is no one Texas sound. Rather, there is a shared Texas musical spirit, one characterized by taking chances, trying new ideas, melding your neighbor's music into your own, all united by an attitude of,"Why not?"

Americans of all kinds came to Texas and brought with them their music: Polka from the Czechs, Poles and Germans; Conjunto from Northern Mexico; Gospel, R&B, jazz and blues from Africans; classical from throughout the world. Moreover, when these Texans got together, wholly new strains appeared soon thereafter. Electric blues, honky-tonk, Tejano, Down South Hip-Hop, and ragtime are all variations of American music that began in Texas through such innovation and melding.

Texas, with its confluence of Anglo, Latin and Black cultures, was an early and significant breeding ground for what is now referred to as World Music. Experts outside of Texas often use our music as a means to understanding our culture. In 1991, the British Broadcasting Corporation devoted four hours of prime time Saturday night programming exploring this very issue. Their film, Texas Saturday Night, used Texas music as the starting point through which to explain the Lone Star State. It was one of the highest-rated specials in recent BBC history.

The importance of music in defining Texas' culture comes to life nightly in Texas' more than 1,100 dancehalls, nightclubs and performing arts centers. Live music also serves as the anchor for more than 700 annual Texas events. To travel Texas with music as your guide is a year-round opportunity to experience first-hand this amazing cultural force. No matter what time of year or where you find yourself, live Texas music offers a vibrant and enjoyable experience through which to understand and enjoy Texas culture.

by Casey Monahan

See also Texas Music: Its Roots, Its Evolution by Jay Brakefield