Press Release | The Texas Music Office put the spotlight on Kilgore Monday as one of its newest ‘Music Friendly Texas’ locales.
According to the state agency, “Kilgore was recently designated as the 77th Music Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Music Office, recognizing its commitment to fostering a thriving music industry. This certification highlights Kilgore’s dedication to supporting local musicians, venues, and music-related businesses, contributing to the city’s cultural and economic growth.”
The music office was established in the early ’90s to foster ‘the economic development of Texas music businesses, musicians, and communities.’ c. 1990.’ The agency noted the Kilgore Cultural District is a local hub for both music and artistic expression.
According to the City of Kilgore, the the spotlighted area includes historic downtown as well as Kilgore College, encompassing an art gallery, boutique shopping, local landmarks, museums, Kilgore City Park, performance venues, restaurants and more.
“Kilgore is fortunate to have so many cultural assets within a mile of each other,” per the city. “Our vision is for Kilgore to be the premier destination for cultural, historical and artistic festivals and events and to encourage the creation, appreciation, and understanding of the arts.
“We seek to nurture a vibrant arts community, foster artistic excellence, and bring people together for powerful-shared experiences that inspire a creative exchange of ideas.”
Find a map of the cultural district here.
Downtown Kilgore is also home to music-oriented venues such as the Texas Museum of Broadcast & Communications, which hosts the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, and the office of the East Texas Pipe Organ Festival as well as The Studio – Kilgore and Kilgore Mercantile & Music along with the Texan Theater.
“Kilgore’s own music heritage runs rich and deep,” TMO announced. “It is where history-makers like Van Cliburn learned his craft from his mother Rildia Bee,” and went on to worldwide after winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in April 1958. “It is also the birthplace of the Songwriters Hall of Famer and American lyricist Will Jennings, whose songs like ‘My Heart Will Go On,’ ‘Higher Love’ and ‘Up Where We Belong’ are now fixtures in the Great American Songbook. Kilgore was their springboard into greatness.
“Kilgore is also home to talented musicians like Ally Venable, a blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter who has gained national recognition for her dynamic performances and recordings. These elements combine to make Kilgore a notable destination for music enthusiasts and artists alike.”
