The iconic musician said he never had a toy as a child, a hardship that inspired him to host the decades-old event.

For decades Ely's presence has been felt from Lubbock to London, covering decades of music from country, to rock and so much in between.

In Lubbock, the adoration is equally strong. I recently spent three days in the northwest Texas town of approximately 250,000 residents on an invitation from Visit Lubbock and saw firsthand how important Holly was to the area and to the music community in general.

Foley grew up in San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, and around the South. He wandered further after dropping out of high school – a drifter, biker, roadie, and songwriter. His songcraft flowered after settling in Georgia, living in a tree house with partner and muse Sybil Rosen.

The Mean Green can root for three University of Texas alumni to take home golden gramophones: jazz saxophonist and PhD candidate Tito Charneco, jazz artist and composer Amanda Ekery, and Lecrae, a Christian rapper and four-time Grammy winner.

For many artists, South by Southwest isn’t just a festival – it’s a launchpad. Creatives flood Austin each year hoping to connect with industry leaders, land gigs and showcase their talent. This year, North Texas performers made their mark in a big way.

In the wake of the devastating flash floods that tore through the Hill Country last week, Texas is still reeling. As recovery efforts continue, many organizations and figures have stepped up to provide much-needed aid and support in what is an incredibly ...