Belton, Texas is strumming its way into the spotlight. Governor Greg Abbott revealed on Monday that the Texas Music Office (TMO) has stamped this Central Texas city as a Music Friendly Texas Community. This certification is not just a title but a sign of the city's dedication to pumping up its local music industry, the governor pointed out.
In a celebration of tunes and cultural fusion, Governor Abbott beamed over the achievement. “Congratulations to the City of Belton on earning the Music Friendly Texas Certified Community designation,” he said, as released by the Governor's office. Abbott, in his statement, linked the deep musical roots found throughout Texas culture to economic success, mentioning the impressive spill of 192,000 jobs and a more than $26 billion infusion into the state's economy in 2022 alone.
Belton Mayor David K. Leigh wasted no time sharing his pride on the city's latest accolade. "Texas culture is imbued with food, drink, and music—and Belton is a place where all three thrive," Mayor Leigh said. He rattled off a list of local venues, from the Cadence Bank Center to Unplugged at the Esquire, underscoring the diverse options where residents and visitors could catch a live set any week of the year.
Adding their voices to the choir of support, Ronnie and Staci Schoepf, owners of Schoepf’s BBQ in Belton, called music a "blessing," with Ronnie and Staci celebrating the certification's ability to showcase and grow the community's tunes and harmony. “Music is how we celebrate, it’s how we mourn, it’s how we love, and so many other things," the owners shared in a statement.
A ceremony to formally recognize this designation is slated for January 9 at the Harris Community Center in Belton, announced the Governor's office. They invite everyone, locals and music enthusiasts alike, to join in or tune in online, marking Belton's passage into the ranks of Music Friendly Texas Communities. The Texas Music Office, along with city officials and community leaders, promises a mix of speeches and music to kick off the celebration.
