The City of Brownwood will receive its official designation as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Music Office, Office of the Governor. Representatives from the Texas Music Office will present the certification during a ceremony on Wednesday, December 13, held in conjunction with the Yuletide Express: A Vintage Christmas Journey event at the Lehnis Railroad Museum and Visitor Center. The celebration will take place from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the presentation and live music beginning promptly at 5:00 PM. The evening will include performances by student bands as well as the Cadillac Thieves.

Established in 2016, the Texas Music Office’s Music Friendly Texas Program is the first and only statewide music designation program of its kind in the United States. More than 90 Texas communities have earned the Music Friendly Texas Certification, forming a statewide network dedicated to supporting and growing the commercial music ecosystem. Becoming a certified community signals to industry professionals, musicians, and stakeholders that Brownwood is committed to cultivating local talent, attracting music related business opportunities, and fostering a thriving creative economy. Participation in the program helps communities strengthen their music industry infrastructure, encourage collaboration, and create pathways for long term cultural and economic growth.

Brownwood’s certification is the result of the commitment and involvement of its Music Friendly Texas Advisory Board members, including Wendy Lawson with the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, local musician and booking manager Sawyer Dodds, Ray Tipton with the City of Brownwood, Ashley Jaynes with the City of Brownwood, music venue owner Micah Jaynes, music store owner Jodie Armstrong, Danielle Rosborough with the Brownwood Education Foundation, Eric Evans with Downtown Brownwood Inc., Levi Packer with the Brownwood Lyric Theatre, and Christopher Rosborough with Howard Payne University.

Mayor Stephen E. Haynes shared, “This certification is a powerful step forward for Brownwood. Our community has a long and rich history of creativity and talent, and this designation reflects both the momentum we’ve built and the vision we have for the future. We are proud to join the network of Music Friendly Texas communities and look forward to the continued growth of music and the arts in Brownwood.”