Music
October 8, 2020
Why We Need Willie Nelson Now, More Than Ever
We didn’t really need a reason to write a bunch of stories about the Red Headed Stranger. But we had a few.
Music
Storytelling and reviews about the artists and trends that define the sounds of the Lone Star State
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Guitarist
Over the decades, he and Trigger have created an unmistakable—and uncannily human—sound.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Interpreter of the Great American Songbook
Everyone knew Willie could write great songs and sing them too. But no one—except Willie, of course—believed he could masterfully cover Gershwin and Ellington.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, the People’s Champion
The man from Abbott has never forgotten his humble roots—and has tirelessly devoted himself to helping others.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Landlord
Before he moved his home and his headquarters out to the Hill Country, Willie conducted an experiment in communal living right in the heart of Austin. It was as crazy as you might expect—and helped turn a sleepy college town into the Live Music Capital of the World.
Music
October 8, 2020
I Wasn’t a Big Willie Nelson Fan. These Ten Songs Turned Me Into One.
Learning to love Texas’s most iconic country musician, one song at a time.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Songwriter
Simple is simply moving to me: How Willie does so much with so little.
Music
October 6, 2020
On His New Show ‘Don’t Mess With Texas Radio,’ Pat Green Aims for an Eclectic Mix of Country Sounds
The monthly music and talk program features a star-studded guest lineup and artist roster from the Lone Star State.
Music
October 3, 2020
Remembering Lubbock-Born Country Musician Mac Davis
In a career that spanned six decades, Davis wrote hits for Elvis and Dolly Parton, found solo success, and acted on Broadway and in film.
Film & TV
October 2, 2020
Texas’s Own Conan the Barbarian Gets a Netflix Series
Plus: Jamie Foxx recharges his Spider-Man villain, Megan Thee Stallion heads to ‘SNL,’ and Woody Harrelson saves the world with dirt.
One by Willie
September 28, 2020
Announcing Our New Podcast ‘One by Willie’
Join senior editor John Spong and artists you love for intimate conversations about the Willie songs that mean the most to them.
Music
September 25, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: The Travis Scott Meal Is Wreaking Havoc on McDonald’s
Plus, Liv Tyler won’t return to Fake Austin, Selena Gomez expands her moguldom, and Audie Murphy gets his own TV series.
Music
September 21, 2020
“Nobody Talks About That Stuff”: Waylon Payne on His Candid New Country Album
The progeny of two country stars, Payne, who grew up in East Texas, writes songs informed by his struggle with substance abuse, trauma, and redemption.
Music
September 4, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: Khruangbin’s ‘Evan Finds the Third Room’
Plus: a Dallas coffee shop, a Houston DJ’s playlists, and a haunting documentary.
Arts & Entertainment
September 4, 2020
The Weird, Wonderful Story of Texas’s First Radio Station
From its origins airing the banter of bored firefighters to its robust classical programming today, Dallas’s WRR-FM has filled an unusual niche on the airwaves for nearly a century.
Film & TV
August 28, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: People Are Flying to Texas Just to See a Dang Movie
Plus, a Wes Anderson–inspired theater seat claims to protect against COVID, Dennis Quaid made a show about his cat, and Selena Gomez becomes an ice cream.
Music
August 25, 2020
Watch Los Coast on Texas Monthly’s Sound Check
The psychedelic ensemble delivers a soul-stirring version of “A Change Is Gonna Come.”
Film & TV
August 21, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: Travis Scott Wants to Bring AstroWorld Back to Houston
Plus, Megan Thee Stallion gives away $1 million, ‘Supernatural’ and the Alamo Drafthouse plot their returns, and Barack Obama puts Texas on his playlist.
Music
August 20, 2020
Watch David Ramirez on Texas Monthly’s Sound Check
The prolific singer-songwriter believes that, now more than ever, love is all we need.
Music
August 18, 2020
On ‘A Home Unfamiliar,’ Texas Musicians Show Us What the Pandemic Sounds Like
Austin songwriter Mobley recruited musicians to collaborate on an album in quarantine. It feels like a snapshot of a music scene seeking a new way forward.
Music
August 18, 2020
Watch Sir Woman on Texas Monthly’s Sound Check
The Austin Music Awards Best New Band Winner performs from atop a backyard treehouse.
Music
August 18, 2020
“That’s Just the Way Willie Rolls”
A portrait of the man, in the words of those who know him best.
Arts & Entertainment
August 14, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: What Will a Lizzo TV Show Look Like?
Plus: Selena Gomez joins Steve Martin–Martin Short series, Noah Hawley returns to ‘Fargo,’ and Cinestate’s school shooting thriller heads to Venice.
Music
August 13, 2020
Watch Charley Crockett on Texas Monthly’s Sound Check
The prolific and proudly transient Rio Grande Valley native promises that post-quarantine, “as soon as they let me back out there, I’ll be twice as good.”
Music
August 11, 2020
Watch Sarah Jarosz on Texas Monthly’s Sound Check
The Wimberley native performs “Johnny” and “Hometown,” and describes missing even the difficult parts of touring as she hunkers down post–album release.
Film & TV
August 7, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: The New Go-Go’s Documentary
Plus, Megan Thee Stallion’s latest collaboration, a true crime podcast about a UT campus murder, and a Dallas-based online vintage shop.
Music
August 4, 2020
How Beyoncé’s ‘Black Is King’ Reimagines Family Histories
The new visual album features a potent through-line of ancestral guidance—one that caused me to reflect on my own relationship with forebears.
Music
August 3, 2020
Get Ready for a New Season of Texas Monthly’s Sound Check Music Series
A special quarantine edition kicks off August 11 and will feature backyard performances by some of your favorite artists.
Music
July 31, 2020
Charley Crockett Wrote Songs About Hard Times in America. Then 2020 Happened.
On his latest album, the Texan country musician sings of endurance within a fraught system.
Books
July 31, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: Matthew McConaughey All Writes, All Writes, All Writes a Book
Plus, William Jackson Harper of “The Good Place” gets an Emmy nod, Joe Rogan is moving to Texas, and Miranda Lambert is number one again.
Music
July 30, 2020
On Texas Time: David Ramirez, a Prolific and Heartrending Austin Musician
The songwriter on creativity in a time of crisis and how he’s seeking camaraderie in isolation.
Music
July 24, 2020
Vanilla Ice to Stop, Collaborate on Movie About His Dallas Years
Plus, Beyoncé’s "Black is King" drops celebrity-filled trailer, a new doc on reopening Texas restaurants, and Post Malone’s “dark times” album.
Music
July 23, 2020
“This Is Exactly What’s Wrong With Austin”: A White Band’s Digitally Altered Photo of an Iconic Black-Owned BBQ Joint Infuriates Locals
The musicians in Midland, a popular country band, have entered the conversation about gentrification in the worst possible way.
Music
July 21, 2020
On ‘Gaslighter’ the Chicks Are a Little Less Country—and Unflinching as Ever
The band's first album in 14 years is vengeful and deeply reflective (and, yes, there's talk of boats).
Books
July 21, 2020
With Her New Book, a Texas Author Wants You to Take Boy Bands Seriously
Music journalist Maria Sherman discusses why she wrote 'Larger Than Life,' her exhaustive guide to an enduring cultural phenomenon.
Music
July 18, 2020
The Success of BeatKing’s Hit ‘Then Leave’ Is a Moment for Texas Rap
A viral smash on TikTok, the song is part of a club music lineage that exists for the sole purpose of getting people moving.
Music
July 14, 2020
A Lifelong Rock Music Aficionado on Finally Seeing Her Icons Embrace Blackness
After years of feeling isolated in my fandom, witnessing my favorite bands supporting Black Lives Matter has been both meaningful and conflicting.
Music
July 8, 2020
In a New Virtual Series, the Dallas Opera Tackles Race and Inequality
The performing arts institution is facilitating forward-thinking conversations with artists and educators online.
Music
July 3, 2020
This Radio Station Has Served Blind Texans for More Than 50 Years
For many listeners, Houston’s Sight into Sound is more than a radio station.
Film & TV
July 3, 2020
Mike Judge Revives Beavis and Butt-Head for a New Era of Stupid
Plus, Beyoncé announces new visual album, Robert Rodriguez brings Ben Affleck home with him, and the ACL Festival gives in to the inevitable.
Music
July 1, 2020
How an Instrumental Trio Became One of Houston’s Most Popular Rock Bands
Khruangbin draws from a vast palette of sounds and traditions, making them a quintessentially Texan band.
Music
June 26, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: Beyoncé’s Single ‘Black Parade’
Plus: a morning practice to spark creativity, a dish from Austin’s Suerte, and a nostalgic summer movie.
Music
June 26, 2020
Alamo Drafthouse Pledges to Be “Safer Than a Supermarket”
Plus, Pharrell works up a Juneteenth musical, Beyoncé debuts a new song of the summer, and Matthew McConaughey gets biblical.
Music
June 25, 2020
Did the Dixie Chicks Just Change Their Name?
The band’s social media now calls them ”The Chicks.”
Music
June 23, 2020
Texas First: How Willie Nelson Brought Me Closer to My Mom
After living most of my life in Texas, I finally gave Willie Nelson a serious listen and learned a few things about my Nigerian mom.
Film & TV
June 19, 2020
Ted Cruz Picks a Fight With Hellboy
Plus, Elijah Wood vs. Ted Bundy, Cinemark vs. the future of moviegoing, and Beyoncé vs. Lizzo vs. Megan Thee Stallion at the BET Awards.
Music
June 17, 2020
Under the “Noveller” Moniker, a UT Alum Conjures Anxious and Hopeful Guitar Symphonies
Sarah Lipstate, Iggy Pop’s new favorite guitarist, approached her new album as a puzzle.
Film & TV
June 15, 2020
The Pandemic Is Threatening to Close McAllen’s Historic Cine El Rey Forever
The community has united to save the 73-year-old cinema and venue, which did not qualify for federal relief funding.
Music
June 12, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: Black Pumas’ Cover of ‘Fast Car’
Plus, Richard Linklater’s ‘Before Sunrise’ and a forgotten moment in Texas rodeo history.
Music
June 5, 2020
Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, and Lizzo Lend Their Voices to National Protests
“White people, this is your daily reminder that if you stay silent, you are part of the problem,” Lizzo said.