Center For Texas Music History | Texas State University

Texas music is truly unique. Spanning a broad array of genres, including blues, gospel, ragtime, jazz, conjunto, Tejano, country, zydeco, cajun, rock and roll, and many others, Texas music, perhaps better than anything else, reflects the rich history and tremendous ethnic and cultural diversity of the Southwest.

With an emphasis on how Texas music reflects the rich history and tremendous cultural diversity of the Southwest, the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University offers free concerts featuring top performers and  open to the public; graduate and undergraduate courses, along with a variety of research and publishing projects all aimed at helping Americans better understand our unique and diverse cultural heritage through music.

The CTMH hosts a series of very popular concerts each year including the  Texas Music Unplugged Concert each spring. “Unplugged” is designed to bring prominent Texas musicians to Texas State to perform and to discuss how Texas music reflects the rich history and tremendous cultural diversity of the American Southwest. This series combines education and entertainment so that students, faculty, staff and the public can better understand and appreciate the ethnic and cultural complexity of our society. Unplugged as featured  such Texas luminaries as Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel), Flaco Jimenez, Marcia Ball, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, and Ruthie Foster.  

The Stars of Texas Music Legacy Series held each fall  brings a younger band or artist together with a Texas music legend who has influenced them. Always free, the “Legacy Series” is extremely popular with students, locals and visitors, and is an excellent way of highlighting the traditions exhibited by today's up-and-coming stars. Weather permitting, the concerts are held under the stars at the university’s Glade Theater, and have featured legends such as Billy Joe Shaver, Johnny Gimble and Joe Ely, with student favorites including the Randy Rogers Band, the South Austin Jug Band, and Reckless Kelly.

The CTMH hosts  events  and concerts throughout the year. CDs and publications are
The Center for Texas Music History
Contact Dr. Gary Hartman, Director,
Center for Texas Music History, for more information.
Texas State University - San Marcos
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666