Mineral Wells joining Music City Texas ranks to promote local scene, Weatherford also a member

Mar. 26—MINERAL WELLS — Crazy Town took a step last week to join some 55 Texas cities in the Music Friendly Texas database.

"That gives us more artists, more diversity in our town — more bands to play," Main Street Program Manager Brittany Brown told city council members, shortly before they approved a memorandum of understanding with the governor's Texas Music Office.

"It also gives us the opportunity to promote our local artists," Brown said.

Formed in 2016, the Texas Music Friendly program allows communities large and small to network on a statewide database of more than 8,000 artists.

It also offers financial perks for small local venues that can check off boxes that include seating for 3,000 or fewer, professional sound and lighting, beer/alcohol sales and other elements.

"The list (of qualifications) is so broad that pretty much all of the venues would be able to hit five of those," Brown said. "They have $22 million in the next two years. and it's free, even better."

Festivals that draw fewer than 100,000 people also are eligible for rebates, Brown said.

Weatherford became a Music Friendly City last fall, joining Graham, Granbury and Stephenville among certified cities. The Music City Texas Website lists Granbury in the application process.

Larger community members include Fort Worth, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio and Houston.

In announcing the Weatherford certification last September, Gov. Greg Abbott said the statewide music industry generates 192,000 direct and indirect jobs. It also accounted for more than $26 billion in economic activity in 2022.

The website also offers searches for musicians, music businesses and radio stations, along with promotion tools for new business development.