Nov. 5-6, 2026

Texas Sounds & Cities 2026

A city that surprises, a destination that inspires big ideas. No, this isn't the Dallas you thought you knew; this is a new Dallas, full of energy and development – a city on the move.

Welcome to Dallas. For two days in November, Texas Sounds & Cities brings music office leaders, artists, and advocates from across the state to the Fairmont Dallas and the Longhorn Ballroom, and this guide is for the hours in between. Your hotel sits in the Dallas Arts District, the largest urban arts districts in the nation, with museums, performance halls, and some of the city's best restaurants within a short walk from your lobby. A short ride away, Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts keep Dallas's live music tradition going nearly every night.

Schedule

Inspiration

Schedule

Day One - Thursday, November 5, 2026

Check-in & Registration (1:30 – 3:30 PM, Fairmont)

Pick up your badge and gifts at the Fairmont.

Welcome Speeches (4:10 – 4:55 PM, Fairmont)

A warm welcome to Texas Sounds & Cities, featuring remarks from the Texas Music Office and J. Damany Daniel.

Building a Collaborative Ecosystem Panel (5:00 – 5:45 PM, Fairmont)

Moderated by J. Damany Daniel, with panelists Chip Adams, Tami Thomsen, Edwin Cabaniss, and artist Dev Wulf , this panel explores ways that cities can build collaborative ecosystems.

Welcome Reception (6:00 – 7:00 PM, Fairmont)

Join us for light hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

Dallas Sounds on Tap: Live Music, Food, Drinks, and Networking

Manhattan Beer Project (7:00 – 10:00 PM) An evening of live music and networking featuring Dallas Sounds Amplified Artists Katherine Patterson, Troy Grant, Dean Ray, Tom Sless. Return shuttles to the hotel will run from 9:30 – 10:00 PM.

Day Two - Friday, November 6, 2026

Late Registration, Arrival & Breakfast (9:00 – 10:00 AM Longhorn)

Continental breakfast and coffee will be available. Late arrivals can pick up their badge, swag, and T-shirt at the registration area. Pens and paper will be provided. For attendees who are not staying overnight, bag and suitcase storage will be available on site.

Panel: AMO Round Table (10:00 – 11:05AM Longhorn)

Moderated by Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, this roundtable brings together different music office leaders to compare how their offices are structured, where they sit within their cities, and how those structures shape their work.

The conversation will explore the advantages and limitations of different models, from government and tourism to nonprofit and other organizational structures, including funding, authority, staffing, partnerships, and the ability to move quickly. Panelists will also look at offices at different stages of development and discuss what they have been able to build despite structural or resource limitations.

The discussion will move beyond organizational charts to ask a bigger question:

What actually makes a music office effective, and how do we measure it?

Moderated by Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart: Director of Cultural Tourism and Dallas Music Office, Visit Dallas
Natalie Bowling: Assistant Director, Music Programs & Services, Tulsa Film, Music, Arts & Culture
Reid Wick: Director, Regional Advocacy & Member Engagement, Recording Academy

Panel: From Airwaves to Audiences: Building a Connected Music Ecosystem (11:10 - 11:50am)

Moderated by Benji McPhail of KXT, this panel brings together representatives from 95.9 FM The Ranch in Fort Worth, 91.7 FM KXT, 89.3 FM KNON, and Prekindle to explore how radio, ticketing platforms, and local partnerships help build and strengthen North Texas's music ecosystem. The conversation will examine how these organizations support artists, increase visibility, connect audiences to live music, and contribute to a thriving regional music scene. Panelists will also share practical insights into how artists, venues, and music offices can engage with local radio stations and ticketing partners to build relationships, expand audiences, and create new opportunities.

Moderator:

Benji McPhail, Program Director, KXT

Panelists:

Amy Miller, Artist Manager & KXT DJ
J.R. Denson, CEO, Prekindle
Dave Chaos, Station Manager, KNON
Shayne Hollinger, Program Director, Music Director and Afternoon Drive Host, 95.9 FM The Ranch

Awards & Announcements (11:50 AM – 12:00PM, Longhorn)

A quick guided recap session, with prompts to help guide think-tank answers and ideas from the morning discussions. TMO announcements and Stacy Keith Award Presented by the Texas Music Office.

Lunch & Tour (12:00 – 12:55 PM Longhorn)

Enjoy lunch, a bit of downtime, and a Dallas Sounds Amplified Artist performance. A short history tour of the Longhorn will also be available for those who'd like to roam and learn about the legendary venue’s history.

Informational Session: StageCare (1:00 – 1:15 PM Longhorn)

A closer look at StageCare. Stagecare's Healthcare for Creatives gives gig-based creatives, from artists and musicians to stagehands and techs, access to virtual medical care, therapy, prescriptions, and dental and vision for themselves and their families. For a partner city, it's a direct investment in the creative workforce behind its festivals, venues, and events. It keeps that talent healthy and local, and it sustains the culture that draws visitors and residents. Learn how to launch it in your city.

Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart: Director of Cultural Tourism and Dallas Music Office, Visit Dallas
Byron Sanders: CEO of Arete Health

Recording Academy (1:20 PM-1:40 PM)

How to get engaged, advocate and use resources for your cities and artists.

Reid Wick: Director, Regional Advocacy & Member Engagement, Recording Academy

A2IM (1:40 PM – 2:00 PM Longhorn)

A short segment from American Association of Independent Music featuring Emmaline McCourt.

Keynote Speaker: Shain Shapiro (2:00 – 3:00 PM Longhorn)

Shain Shapiro is a globally recognized thought leader at the convergence of music, culture and urban policy. This is showcased in his debut book, This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better, released on Repeater Books. - Each attendee will receive a book

Shain Shapiro Books & Networking (3:00 – 3:20 PM Longhorn)

An opportunity to networking and connect with Shain Shapiro.

Free Time (3:30 – 6:00 PM)

Explore Dallas! A list of nearby restaurants (Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, and Downtown) will be provided, along with a tour map for the afternoon and ideas to make your visit to Dallas curated and extra special.

Downtown Dallas: Explore the heart of the city, where historic architecture, public art, renowned museums, local restaurants, and lively gathering spaces are all within reach. Visit a museum, grab a bite or a drink, and experience the energy and culture of Downtown Dallas.

Deep Ellum: Discover one of Dallas’ most iconic entertainment districts, known for its colorful murals, rich musical history, and distinctive local character. Stop by one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants, bars, or shops while exploring the streets that have helped shape Dallas’ creative culture.

Bishop Arts District: Spend the afternoon exploring this charming, walkable neighborhood filled with independent boutiques, local restaurants, and inviting patios. Stop by Revelers Hall for a drink, enjoy a meal at one of the district’s standout restaurants, or browse the unique shops along the way.

Concert: Paula Cole-Kessler Theater – COCKTAILS 6pm, CONCERT 8pm

Host Hotel

फेयरमोंट डलास

The Fairmont Dallas is the conference’s host hotel in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. It has 545 renovated guest rooms and an on-site restaurant and bar, and museums, performance halls, and Downtown are within a short walk.

और अधिक जानें

Thursday Evening Networking Event

Manhattan Project Beer Company

Manhattan Project Beer Company is a West Dallas craft brewery known for a rotating tap list, a beer garden, a full kitchen, and room for live music.

और अधिक जानें

Friday’s Venue

लॉन्गहॉर्न बॉलरूम

Opened in 1950 as Bob Wills’ Ranch House, the Longhorn Ballroom has hosted acts from Nat King Cole to Merle Haggard and the Sex Pistols. Reopened in 2023, it holds more than 2,000 people and displays museum-style memorabilia from its history.

और अधिक जानें

Closing Reception & Concert

केसलर थिएटर

Built in 1941 as a neighborhood movie house and once owned by Gene Autry, the Art Deco Kessler Theater reopened as a live music venue in 2010. Its intimate size and acoustics have made it a favorite among artists and audiences.

और अधिक जानें

Don't know where to start? Let us provide some inspiration with our itineraries, or explore our neighborhoods and everything new and notable over at the Dallas Now blog.

Learn more about Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) who is the principle advocate, champion and steward of Downtown, affecting change by developing strategies, setting targets and mobilizing resources.