An Internationally Renowned Concert Hall in Small-town Texas
Pianist James Dick has turned a rolling pasture outside of Round Top into a haven for classical musicians from around the world.
Music
Storytelling and reviews about the artists and trends that define the sounds of the Lone Star State
One by Willie
May 25, 2022
Nathaniel Rateliff on Willie Nelson’s “A Song for You,” Leon Russell, and Biker Funerals
The Americana singer-songwriter discusses one of Willie’s first iconic cover songs.
Texas Country Reporter
May 23, 2022
97-Year-Old Lucy Dean Record Is a Queen of Western Swing
The piano teacher turned touring musician from Lockney has been inducted into several halls of fame across the U.S.
Music
May 20, 2022
A Trip to Turkey, Texas, Where Western Swing Is Still King
Bob Wills fans flock each spring to the tiny Panhandle town to “dance all night, dance a little longer.”
One by Willie
May 18, 2022
Mickey Raphael on How Willie Nelson Songs Are Cheaper—and More Effective—Than Therapy
Willie’s longtime harmonica player discusses joining the band, stowaways on the bus, and “The Words Don’t Fit the Picture.”
Music
May 13, 2022
In His First Album in 10 Years, Lyle Lovett Steps Inside His House
In ‘12th of June,’ the Klein singer-songwriter shares the love and joys of home life.
One by Willie
May 11, 2022
Jimmy Webb on Writing “Highwayman” and the Birth of Country Music’s First Supergroup
One of America’s greatest songwriters talks Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson . . . and the surprising debt they owe “My Sharona.”
Music
May 9, 2022
Mickey Gilley and ‘Urban Cowboy’: A Texas Monthly Compendium
Our favorite Texas Monthly pieces featuring the country music star, who died on Saturday at 86, and the cultural phenomenon he helped inspire.
Music
May 5, 2022
Remembering Willis Alan Ramsey’s Seminal (and Sole) Album
On the 50th anniversary of his eponymous 1972 record, five renowned singer-songwriters—including Jimmy Buffett and Lyle Lovett—celebrate Willis Alan Ramsey.
Music
May 4, 2022
Drake’s Passionate, Calculated Love Affair With Houston
The Toronto rapper has an everywhere-and-nowhere relationship with place, but no city has influenced him as much as H-Town.
One by Willie
May 4, 2022
Vince Gill on Willie Nelson’s “Healing Hands of Time” and Finding Salvation in Song
The 22-time Grammy winner talks faith, Ray Price, and the power of an irresistible first line in a lyric.
Music
April 29, 2022
Willie Turns 89—And Drops a Beautiful Album
‘A Beautiful Time’ picks up where his "mortality trilogy" of albums left off, with an especially off-the-wall cover and new songs reflecting on life and death.
One by Willie
April 27, 2022
Willie Nelson’s Daughter Paula on Gunfights, the Devil, and Sister Bobbie
On this special birthday episode of ‘One by Willie,’ Paula Nelson talks about “Devil in a Sleepin’ Bag,” a song her dad wrote about his longtime drummer, Paul English—who happens to be her namesake.
One by Willie
April 20, 2022
Kacey Musgraves on Making “Real-Ass” Country Music With Willie Nelson
The singer-songwriter talks about “Are You Sure,” getting her granddad into Willie’s poker game, and a gift Willie gave her that she’ll never smoke.
Film & TV
April 18, 2022
Is Lizzo Funny? A Texas Monthly Investigation
The Houstonian pulled double duty on ‘Saturday Night Live’ as host and musical guest. How’d she do?
One by Willie
April 15, 2022
Announcing Season 3 of ‘One by Willie’
Our latest season of interviews with notable Willie Nelson fans debuts April 20.
Music
April 12, 2022
Sister Bobbie Grounded Willie Nelson in His Music—and His Life
Bobbie Nelson, pianist and older sister to Texas music icon Willie Nelson, died Thursday morning at 91.
Music
April 8, 2022
TM Recommends: A Tamale-Making Class From One of the Greats
Plus: swing by an Austin jazz festival, then listen to a record dedicated to a SpongeBob SquarePants character on your way home.
Film & TV
April 4, 2022
Texans, We Can and Must Unite to Win ‘American Song Contest’
We can’t let California win, y’all. Here’s everything you need to know about how to vote for Texas in the pop song competition.
Music
April 4, 2022
A New Selena Album Will Mark Her 24th Posthumous Release. Whom Are These Albums For?
In an upcoming record, the singer’s voice will be digitally aged. The Quintanilla family continues to misunderstand why Selena’s fans adored her.
Music
March 23, 2022
Back in Luck: Willie Nelson’s Annual Reunion Returns
Photos from this year's Luck Reunion, which welcomed back attendees for the first time since 2019.
Music
March 22, 2022
SXSW 2022 Felt Like SXSW, and That’s Impressive
The festival was smaller and less overwhelming than in times past, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing—or a sign of things to come.
Music
March 22, 2022
Welcome to the Dollyverse: Dolly Parton Makes Her First-Ever SXSW Appearance
The country legend dropped NFTs, an album, and a book before putting on a dazzling performance at the Moody Theater.
Music
March 22, 2022
A Ukrainian Pop Star Delivers a Defiant Message at SXSW
Kazka’s male members took up arms to repel Putin’s invasion. But the band’s singer, Oleksandra Zaritska, was still determined to appear at the festival.
Music
March 18, 2022
In New Documentary, Tanya Tucker Is All Legend
No country music fan will be disappointed by ‘The Return of Tanya Tucker,’ which puts the focus on artistry and that one-in-a-million voice.
Music
March 16, 2022
How Austin Punk Band Trail of Dead Survived a “Perfect Album” and “Young Devilry”
Trail of Dead was “the band that trashes everything.” But on its eleventh album, ‘XI: Bleed Here Now,’ it’s finally grown into the classic rock group it always wanted to be.
Music
March 10, 2022
Live Music Is Back at SXSW. Don’t Miss These Texas Artists.
Four sibling punk rockers, Houston’s greatest soul band, and three more acts you need to catch at SXSW 2022.
Music
March 9, 2022
Texas Soul Has Gained a Thrilling New Album and Lost a Young Talent
Bastards of Soul front man Chadwick Murray died last September. His bandmates now reckon with the release of his final album.
Music
March 8, 2022
Nina Diaz Almost Lost It All. Now She Wants to Guide San Antonio’s Next Rock Star.
The Alamo City legend broke up Girl in a Coma and decamped to L.A. She’s back with a new solo album, a recording studio, and some hard-earned wisdom.
Music
February 28, 2022
The Strange Case of the Chicks’ Missing Texas Tour Dates
For the first time in four years, the Chicks are back on the road—but one big state (and a bigger part of the band's history) is notably absent from the list of stops.
Music
February 25, 2022
At One of the Last Classical Music Stores, CDs Still Rock
Streaming services don’t exist inside Classical Music of Spring, one of the few remaining classical-focused shops in the country.
Music
February 18, 2022
TM Recommends: A Glorious Georgetown Hike
Plus: a Motown dance party and an existential visit to West Texas.
Music
February 11, 2022
How ‘Neon Moon’ Became a Texas Standard
With covers from Leon Bridges, Fat Tony, and more, the 1992 country single continues to find new life across genres.
Music
February 10, 2022
Mickey Guyton Was Ready to Quit Music. Now She’s Performing at the Super Bowl.
The Texas native talks about her debut album, finding herself, and how she’s changing the country scene just by being herself.
Music
February 9, 2022
Lucifer on the Sofa With Diamonds
A Spoon fanboy overthinks the new record, classic rock, cowboy hats, and Jeff Bezos.
Music
February 4, 2022
TM Recommends: An Austin Musician and a Drag Star Walk Into a Bar . . .
Listen to the unforeseen collaboration between Shakey Graves and Trixie Mattel.
Film & TV
January 25, 2022
The Chart-Topping Songs of Disney’s ‘Encanto’ Give Latino Families a Voice
The characters might be fictional, but to the Latinos who see their own families reflected in them, it’s a relief to see them say what we wish we could.
Music
January 25, 2022
Eighty Years Later, We’re Still ‘Deep in the Heart of Texas’
How a simple, two-chord song written by an Iowan became (clap clap clap clap) our unofficial state anthem.
Music
January 14, 2022
The Man in the Eyeball Mask
Hardy Fox, founder of the strange and influential band the Residents, developed his bizarre sensibility while growing up in small-town East Texas.
Art
January 4, 2022
Most Legendary Musicians Write Memoirs. Terry Allen Created an Entire Exhibition.
The singer-songwriter-artist reveals the inspirations behind his music in a multimedia museum show in Austin.
Art
December 31, 2021
Our Favorite Photos of 2021
From Leon Bridges’s home in Fort Worth to a vibrant coral reef near Galveston, this year took our photographers to some truly unforgettable places.
Music
December 29, 2021
The Best Songs From Texans in 2021
This year, we jammed to new music by Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges, Megan Thee Stallion, St. Vincent, and others.
Music
December 17, 2021
Texans Mourn the Death of “El Rey,” Vicente Fernández
Little Joe Hernández, George Strait, educators, and fans of the legendary Mexican singer speak about his impact on their lives and the legacy he’s left behind.
Music
December 17, 2021
The Texan Who Saved the Beatles
In Peter Jackson’s documentary ‘The Beatles: Get Back,’ Houston-born pianist Billy Preston makes a strong case for himself as the fifth Beatle.
Music
December 16, 2021
Buffalo Nichols Comes Home to the Blues
The Austin musician has made an excellent traditional blues album—but to get there, he studied punk, West African music, and Ukrainian folk.
Music
December 14, 2021
The Best Things in Texas 2022: Megan Thee Stallion
The rapper and freshly minted Texas Southern University graduate lassoed up trophies and brand deals and gave plenty of Houston shout-outs.
The Texanist
December 6, 2021
The Texanist: What’s the Best Texas Christmas Song?
An El Paso woman is looking for the finest example of Lone Star holiday musical jollity. But can there only be one?
Music
December 3, 2021
Jason Boland & the Stragglers’ New Album Is a Galactic, Time-Traveling Journey
‘The Light Saw Me’ is maybe the weirdest, most unexpected post-pandemic album to come out of the Red Dirt country scene. Just in time for Omicron!
Music
November 26, 2021
A New Dawn for Horizon, the Groovy Granddaddy of San Antonio Funk
The near-forgotten River City boogie-funk band has reunited and a fresh anthology gives a new generation a chance to enjoy this sequin gem of a band.
Music
November 23, 2021
Scholar Emcee Mexstep Drops Some Lessons on ‘Vivir’
University of Texas at San Antonio professor Marco Cervantes mixes history, activism, and hip-hop on his latest album.