Music
May 1, 2024
How to Tell Joel Osteen and Haley Joel Osment Apart: A Guide for Kendrick Lamar
The celebrated Compton rapper made a curious mix-up in his Drake diss track.
Music
Storytelling and reviews about the artists and trends that define the sounds of the Lone Star State
Latest
1-50 of 1830 Articles
Music
April 29, 2024
Willie Nelson Is Fine! He’s Trending Because It’s His Birthday.
Happy ninety-first to the Red Headed Stranger.
Music
April 25, 2024
How TikTok Made Line Dancing Cool Again
After a few decades in the purgatory of corniness, fans of artists such as Beyoncé and Dasha are embracing the separate-but-together choreography.
Music
April 11, 2024
How Khruangbin’s Groove Opens the Door to the World
‘A La Sala,’ the fourth studio album by Houston’s psychedelic-soul-rock trio, is as globally inspired as it is intimate.
Style & Design
April 8, 2024
Want to Know How Mickey Guyton Got Her Cher-Inspired Look at the 2024 CMT Awards?
We've got you, babe.
Music
April 4, 2024
Rhett Miller Ranks Every Old 97’s Album
Ahead of the new record ‘American Primitive,’ the front man gets brutally honest about the band’s discography.
One by Willie
April 3, 2024
Lucinda Williams on the Pure Poetry of Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground”
The beloved singer-songwriter, once a scrappy unknown living in a run-down apartment Willie owned, describes the wonder of later duetting with him on a song she wrote.
Music
April 2, 2024
The Ultimate Texas Celebrity Bracket Crowns Its Champion, and the Winner Will Shock You*
*The winner will not shock you. It’s Willie Nelson.
Music
April 1, 2024
The Ultimate Texas Celebrity Bracket Championship Is Here! Cast Your Final Vote.
The two icons have cast a long shadow over the Lone Star State for more than six decades.
Music
March 29, 2024
Willie! And Five More Texan Moments in Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’
From the nods to outlaw country tradition to the rapturous ode to denim-covered butts, this is the H-Town hero’s most Texan album yet.
Music
March 29, 2024
How Beyoncé Got ‘Cowboy Carter’ off the Vinyl Record Presses So Fast
The secret is impeccable planning and organizational skills. Luckily, control is Team Beyoncé's forte.
Film & TV
March 29, 2024
The Ultimate Texas Celebrity Bracket Final Four: From Willie to Kelly
Here they are: the showdowns you demanded.
Music
March 28, 2024
Can Willie Be Stopped? The Ultimate Texas Celebrity Bracket Is Down to Its Elite Eight
It includes Simone Biles, Kelly Clarkson, Tommy Lee Jones, Matthew McConaughey, Nolan Ryan, George Strait, and an underdog run from Kinky Friedman.
Music
March 27, 2024
Beyoncé Is Bigger Than the Country Music Establishment
A successful “country crossover” requires buy-in from industry players in Nashville. But Beyoncé isn’t interested in their approval.
One by Willie
March 27, 2024
Willie Nelson’s Daughter Lana on Lullabies, Landlords, and Townes Van Zandt
The unofficial family historian talks about listening to her dad sing “Red Headed Stranger” back before he’d ever even made it to Nashville.
Film & TV
March 26, 2024
The Ultimate Texas Celebrity Bracket Heats Up in Round Two
Tim Duncan’s still got it, Kacey takes on her pal Willie, and we say an early farewell to Elon.
Music
March 25, 2024
7 Reasons We Love Megan Thee Stallion
The Houston rapper is number one in our hearts for being Texas-proud and cool as hell.
Film & TV
March 25, 2024
Texas Monthly Is Crowning a Winner in the Ultimate Texas Celebrity Bracket. Cast Your Vote!
Which of these 64 celebs is the most beloved in the Lone Star State? This March Madness, we’re asking you to tell us.
Music
March 25, 2024
How Lyle Lovett Taught This Non-Texan That Texas Wants Me Anyway
The Texas country artist long ago broke through the boundaries of the genre—all the way into my Brooklyn heart.
Music
March 20, 2024
Four Reasons April Is a Great Month in Texas Culture
Beyoncé is in the saddle, Khruangbin makes hay, Texas goes to war, and an author from Lubbock revisits a childhood tragedy.
One by Willie
March 20, 2024
Wade Bowen on Willie Nelson’s Road Anthem “Me and Paul” . . . From a Tour Bus Broke Down in Iowa
The Texas Country/Red Dirt star Zooms in to discuss Willie’s founding role in the singer-songwriters’ circuit, plus the gift of growing to love your dad’s music.
Music
March 19, 2024
For Rap Duo Flyana Boss, Success Is Best Worn With Elf Ears
The viral sensation on best friendship, “fairycore” style, and when they’ll know they’ve truly made it.
Music
March 15, 2024
This Year, There’s Also an “Anti-SXSW Fest”
Eighty-plus acts have dropped out of SXSW over the festival’s ties to the U.S. Army and defense contractors. Boycott organizers quickly stepped in to book a weekend’s worth of protest concerts.
Music
March 15, 2024
Has SXSW Lost Its Cool?
Many bands are boycotting, more of the brands are square, and attitudes have soured toward big tech. Where is the festival going?
Music
March 15, 2024
On ‘Deeper Well,’ Kacey Musgraves Goes TikTok Mode
On her most introspective album yet, the star seems to be, as the kids say, “romanticizing her life.”
Music
March 14, 2024
The New Billy Preston Documentary Will Take You to Church—When It Sticks to Music
The film on the Houston piano prodigy and so-called “fifth Beatle” honors Preston’s career but strays when it depicts his personal life.
Film & TV
March 13, 2024
A New Film Says Goodbye to an Austin Legend and the Austin of Legends
‘Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience’ pays homage to the longtime KUT radio host and the city that embraced him.
Music
March 13, 2024
Terry Allen Doesn’t Care What the Smithsonian Wants
At eighty, the musician-artist-playwright is still doing things his way. (He is worried about the year 4024, though.)
One by Willie
March 13, 2024
John Leventhal on Willie Nelson’s Tight Grip on Timelessness
The six-time Grammy-winner discusses “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and why Willie’s guitar-picking makes him think of Picasso.
Music
March 6, 2024
A Texas Music Lover’s Guide to Every New Album Coming This Spring
Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Khruangbin headline a packed season.
One by Willie
March 6, 2024
Susan Tedeschi on Willie Nelson and the Singular Joy of Playing in a Family Band
The Grammy-winning blues singer and guitarist on why she and her husband cover Willie almost every night with their Tedeschi Trucks Band—plus why she thinks Emmylou Harris is a Jedi.
Music
March 5, 2024
Besame Mucho Austin Was Not Quite the Festival Fans Deserved—and We Loved It Anyway
The music fest brought Grupo Frontera, Bobby Pulido, and El Tri onto one jaw-dropping bill. Despite organizational hiccups, the day was “historic.”
Music
February 28, 2024
Cigarettes After Sex Is More Addictive Than Ever
The indie band, fronted by El Pasoan Greg Gonzalez, has transcended TikTok stardom and built a following with songs of love, longing, and heartbreak.
One by Willie
February 28, 2024
Bruce Robison on What Willie Nelson’s Saddest Songs Taught Him About Songwriting, Love, and Life
The Americana stalwart discusses Phases and Stages, Willie’s lost winter in Bandera, and covering his songs with big stars like Margo Price, Sheryl Crow, and Nathaniel Rateliff.
Music
February 22, 2024
Can Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ Save Lives? A Texas Monthly Investigation
According to medical experts, the beat of Beyoncé’s new single is just right for performing CPR (and perhaps dancing).
One by Willie
February 21, 2024
Pulitzer Prize Winner Lawrence Wright on the Existential Quality of Watching Willie Nelson and Trigger Grow Old Together
The acclaimed Austin author talks pigtails, hero statues, and “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”
One by Willie
February 14, 2024
Booker T. Jones on Why He Recorded Willie Nelson’s ‘Stardust’ in Emmylou Harris’s Living Room
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer discusses “Georgia on My Mind”—and the highly improbable pairing and production that gave birth to Willie’s quintuple-platinum masterpiece.
Music
February 12, 2024
Our Hopes, Dreams, and Predictions for Beyoncé’s Most Texan Release Yet
With two new singles, Bey is planting a flag squarely in country music—and we have a feeling she’s about to school us on the genre.
One by Willie
February 7, 2024
Whoopi Goldberg Wants to Have Willie Nelson Over to Her Place for Dinner
The famed actor, author, and raconteur on why she loves “Stardust,” Leon Russell, Ray Charles, and Willie’s wife, Annie.
Film & TV
February 6, 2024
Why a German First-time Filmmaker Spent a Decade Making a Comedy About Willie Nelson
For ‘Willie and Me,’ Eva Hassmann enlisted an Elvis impersonator, Peter Bogdanovich, and Willie himself to tell a story of how Willie’s music crosses cultures.
Music
February 5, 2024
Kacey, You in Danger, Girl
Ms. Musgraves, the beloved Texan country star, teased her long-awaited new album . . . at the worst possible time.
Style & Design
February 5, 2024
Grammys Fashion Roundup: All of Y’all Wanna Be Country
Texans (mostly) left the Grammys empty-handed, but we won big on the red carpet.
One by Willie
January 31, 2024
Nick Offerman Believes Willie Nelson Is One of the Finest Americans Who Ever Lived
The ‘Parks and Recreation’ star on “Buddy,” Farm Aid, and how a hippie like Willie became Ron Swanson’s favorite poet.
Music
January 19, 2024
Texans Are Conquering the Summer Music Festival Circuit
Judging by the fest lineups, Texans such as BigXthaPlug, Charley Crockett, Khruangbin, and more are about to enter music’s A-list.
Music
January 16, 2024
Randall King Wants to Honky-tonk All Over the World
The country charts these days are filled with hip-hop rhythms and rock guitars. With Nashville heavy hitters behind him, King plans to flout those trends.
Music
January 12, 2024
Was Matthew McConaughey Really Bleeding at Zach Bryan’s Austin Gig?
McConaughey and fellow Texas actor Tye Sheridan made cameos at the country singer-songwriter’s music video shoot this week.
Music
December 21, 2023
Five Things We Learned From the New Willie Nelson Docuseries
Even Willie completists will likely find a few new nuggets in the Paramount Plus series ‘Willie Nelson & Family.’
Music
December 13, 2023
How Pentatonix Turned “Hallelujah” From a Horny Anthem Into a Christmas Standard
The Arlington a capella group stood before the lord of song, declaring “Hallelujah” to be holiday music.
Music
December 8, 2023
Even When Jon Dee Graham Dies, He Doesn’t Stay Dead
The Texas punk pioneer and Hall of Fame singer-songwriter reflects on the release of his first solo album since a 2019 heart attack.
Music
December 6, 2023
In ‘Renaissance,’ Beyoncé Finds Freedom in Control
The concert film is a performance masterpiece, but it also raises questions about the artist’s messaging.