The city of Graham, Texas, has been officially designated as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community, as announced by Governor Greg Abbott. This designation is part of a program run by the Texas Music Office (TMO), aimed at promoting economic development and job creation within the state's music industry. As reported by the Governor's office, this recognition comes after Graham completed the multi-step certification process, joining a network of more than 70 communities across Texas.
"Music is key to the Texas brand and is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of our great state," Governor Abbott stated, emphasizing the contributions of Music Friendly Communities to job creation and economic growth, with over $31 billion generated annually by the Texas music industry and "Together, we will continue to work alongside communities in every region of our state to build a stronger, more prosperous Texas than ever before," he added, as stated in a press release.
Senator Brent Hagenbuch and Mayor Alex Heartfield expressed their congratulations and pride, with Mayor Heartfield noting, "Music is a medium that brings people of all cultures and backgrounds together," and highlighting the local efforts to promote musical events that capture both local and tourist interest. According to a statement from the Governor's office, city manager Eric Garretty acknowledged the effort involved and the significance of the designation in contributing to the community's cultural development and growth.
The official certification ceremony, hosted by TMO and Visit Graham, is scheduled for Saturday during the 9th Annual Crawfish and Cannons Festival at Fort Belknap. Community leaders and officials will gather to recognize Graham's achievement, highlighting the city's role as a location for live music, which has become a significant draw for both residents and visitors, according to Young County Judge Win Graham. For more information about the ceremony or the state's music initiatives, inquiries can be directed to Zach Balch of Visit Graham, as noted in the Governor's office announcement.
Graham's inclusion in the list of Music Friendly Texas Communities reflects the TMO's ongoing efforts to support the growth of the music industry and contribute to local economies through music since its establishment in 1990.
