BELTON, Texas — The City of Belton has been designated as a Music Friendly Texas Community by the Texas Music Office, Governor Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
According to the Texas Music Office (TMO), the Music Friendly Texas program is meant to "foster music business-related economic development and job creation in Texas cities and communities".
“Congratulations to the City of Belton on earning the Music Friendly Texas Certified Community designation,” said Governor Abbott. “Music is key to the Texas brand and is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of our great state. Music Friendly Texas Communities certified by the Texas Music Office work hard to attract and develop the local music industry to boost local job creation and economic growth. In fact, with support from the Texas Music Office, the Texas music industry accounted for more than 192,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs and generated more than $26 billion in economic activity statewide in 2022. Together, we will continue to work alongside communities in every region of our state to amplify their growth and success.”
The City of Belton completed a multi-step certification process to earn the designation.
Belton City officials voiced their gratitude for the designation and their pride in the community that earned it.
“It’s an honor for Belton to be certified as a Music Friendly Texas Community,” said Belton Mayor David K. Leigh. “Texas culture is imbued with food, drink and music—and Belton is a place where all three thrive. I’m grateful for the Belton businesses that work hard to make the Belton music scene so dynamic. In any given week, people can enjoy music at the Cadence Bank Center, Schoepf’s Backyard BBQ, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Dead Fish Grill, Belton ISD, multiple businesses located inside The Depot, Unplugged at the Esquire and even outdoor performances downtown. Belton truly is music friendly.”
“Beltonians have a long history of celebrations, and music has always played a vital role in these events,” said Councilmember Wayne Carpenter. “Live musical performances bring tourists and increased economic development to our city, but more importantly musical events bring our citizens together to promote shared celebration and a greater level of community involvement and civic pride. Belton is proud to become a Music Friendly Texas Community and the ‘Live Music Capital of Bell County.’”
Members of the Belton community and those involved with the local music scene also voiced their excitement for the designation.
“We are very excited for Belton to receive its Music Friendly Texas Community Certification,” said Ronnie and Staci Schoepf, the owners of Schoepf’s BBQ, which regularly hosts live music. “Music around us is a blessing and provides so many benefits to a community. This certification will help in the promotion of all those benefits and enhance its growth around our community. Music is how we celebrate, it’s how we mourn, it’s how we love and so many other things. Congratulations to Belton for this award and to Texas for doing such a great thing for the people of our state.”
A certification ceremony to present the designation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Harris Community Center, located at 401 N. Alexander St. The designation will be presented by TMO Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Chip Adams.
The event will be cohosted by the TMO, the Belton Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Belton Chamber of Commerce and the City of Belton and will include speakers from the Belton community and city leaders.
All members of the Belton community are invited to attend the free ceremony either in person or online.
More information on the event can be found at this link.
To join the event virtually, visit this link once the event begins: bit.ly/TMOBeltonCert
Belton will become the 54th Music Friendly Texas Certified Community, joining cities like Waco, Salado and Harker Heights.
More information about the Music Friendly Texas program can be found here: gov.texas.gov/music/page/music-friendly-communities
More from 6 News: