 (L-R) Gini Mascorro, Graham Weber, Paul Simon, Stephen Ray
Paul Simon is an Honorary Texan!
Following the second show of a three-night engagement at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, the Texas Music Office’s Graham Weber, Gini Mascorro, and Stephen Ray presented Paul Simon with a ceremonial certificate from the State of Texas, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, pronouncing the iconic musician an Honorary Texan. The TMO staff also presented Simon with a Texas flag that was flown in his honor over the Capitol on April 8.
A native of New York City, Simon now resides in Wimberley in the Texas Hill Country with his wife, acclaimed Dallas singer/songwriter Edie Brickell. He will continue his “A Quiet Celebration” tour throughout the U.S. and returns to Texas for two shows in Dallas on May 7 and 8 at the Winspear Opera House.
It is an honor to include Paul Simon in the list of fabled Texas artists and to officially recognize his music as part of the soundtrack of our great state.
The State of Texas Recognizes Siggno's
25th Anniversary in San Antonio
Legendary Tejano band Siggno was formally recognized for their 25th anniversary in music during a special presentation at the 2025 Tejano Explosion. Representing the Office of the Governor, Texas Music Office’s Graham Weber presented the band with an official certificate of recognition, honoring their contributions to Texas music, culture, and the Tejano genre. Formed in 2000, Siggno has become a defining force in modern Tejano music, known for their emotionally charged performances, genre-blending sound, and deep connection with fans across generations. The certificate, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, celebrated their artistic achievements and acknowledged their role as ambassadors for Texas’s diverse musical heritage.
During the on-stage presentation, Weber praised the band’s dedication, perseverance, and lasting influence over the past quarter century. Lead singer Jesse Turner accepted the honor on behalf of Siggno, thanking fans, family, and the State of Texas for their unwavering support. “This is more than a recognition—it’s a reflection of everything we’ve poured our hearts into for 25 years,” Turner said. The event marked a significant milestone not only for Siggno but for the Tejano community at large, reaffirming the genre’s vibrant place in Texas culture and the band’s continuing legacy.
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 TMO's Gini Mascorro and Jaclyn Zapata (L) TMO Director Chip Adams (R)
TMO Keeps it Real at Real Places Conference
The Real Places 2025 conference, organized by the Texas Historical Commission, took place April 23–25, 2025, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. This premier event in historic preservation and heritage tourism featured over 100 expert speakers from Texas and beyond, offering more than 50 sessions, workshops, and tours. Attendees could participate in person or virtually.
The conference aimed to unite professionals and volunteers from diverse disciplines—including architects, historians, archaeologists, and preservationists—to share knowledge and strategies for preserving Texas's rich heritage. Topics covered a wide range of subjects, such as conveying the value of preservation, protecting historic cemeteries, crafting successful grant projects, creating effective narratives and interpretation, conducting oral histories, promoting heritage tourism, performing archival research, and more.
TMO Director Chip Adams was a guest speaker at the opening night ceremony. TMO Program Specialist Jaclyn Zapata and TMO Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Gini Mascorro hosted a booth at the conference's Meet-Up: A Deep Dive into Texas Historical Commission Programs and Partnerships, connecting with community members from across the state.
TMO Two Steppin' at Bob Wills Day
The 53rd annual Bob Wills Day, celebrating the legacy of Bob Wills, the “King of Western Swing,” took place from April 24 to April 26, 2025, in Turkey, Texas—a town with a population under 500 that serves as a vibrant hub of Western Swing music and culture and is where Bob Wills grew up. This year’s festival kicked off with a Thursday night dance featuring Asleep at the Wheel and Joshua Hedley. Friday’s lineup included the Bob Wills Texas Playboys under the direction of Jason Roberts and The Goodnights. Saturday boasted a full day of events, including a fiddle contest, a free concert with the Texas Playboys, and evening dances with Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys, Jake Hooker and the Outsiders, and the South Plains College Western Swing Band. Saturday night concluded with a midnight breakfast.
A monument to Wills stands at the town’s western edge, topped with a giant fiddle, and the Bob Wills Museum is housed in the town’s former elementary school. The Texas Music Office sponsored an open jam session all weekend at the museum and hosted students from the Valley School for a Thursday morning field trip to learn about Western Swing and Bob Wills while practicing their dance steps to the music of Billy Mata and his band. The Bob Wills Foundation was established in 1971 to preserve and share the music and life of Bob Wills as a unique and central figure in American history and as a beloved son of Turkey, Texas.
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 TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Gini Mascorro presents MFT Certification to the City of Graham, TX
Buda, Graham, and League City Recieve Music Friendly Texas Certifications
The Texas Music Office (TMO) has officially designated Buda, Graham, and League City as Music Friendly Texas (MFT) Certified Communities, recognizing their commitment to fostering vibrant local music scenes and supporting the music industry. This certification is the culmination of a comprehensive process that includes hosting community workshops, establishing music liaison roles, and forming advisory boards composed of local stakeholders. These cities join a growing network of over 80 Texas communities dedicated to enhancing their music industries and economies through the Music Friendly Texas program.
In Buda, the journey began with a workshop co-hosted by the City of Buda and Discover Buda TX, providing local leaders with the tools to develop their music sector. Graham and League City followed suit, each hosting workshops to engage their communities and lay the groundwork for certification. These efforts reflect a statewide initiative to integrate live music into economic development strategies, recognizing that music is a key driver of tourism, local culture, and job creation in Texas.
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