BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.C.R. 5
85R5644 RMA-D	By: Hall
	Administration
	4/20/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The City of Rockwall has long been committed to fostering a dynamic arts scene in its community, and live music has played a vital role in that mission.

 

In 1999, the city government launched the Concert by the Lake Series, a four-week program of free concerts on the eastern shore of Lake Ray Hubbard. An instant triumph, the series spotlighted regional bands, with each show averaging 175 attendees during the inaugural season. The increasing popularity of the series caused it to be relocated to The Harbor, a retail and entertainment development, in 2007, and two years later, the program was expanded to offer 24 consecutive weeks of live music annually. Since that time, the concerts have regularly drawn crowds of more than 7,000 people.

 

The success of the Concert by the Lake Series led to the formation of the city�s Live Music Project, which has provided invaluable support to area artists and brought a wide variety of musical genres to the community. Among the project�s many benefits has been the creation of several outdoor venues, including amphitheaters at The Harbor and at Harry Myers Park and two permanent stages in the Historic Downtown District. Those locations have hosted numerous visiting headliners as well as Rockwall Summer Musicals, the Rockwall Philharmonic Orchestra, and the San Jacinto Plaza Music Series, which presents over 50 free concerts each year.

 

Since 2004, the annual Rockwall Founders Day Festival has placed special emphasis on live music by featuring regional groups and world-touring acts alike, including such Texas music legends as Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Asleep at the Wheel, as well as the Little River Band, the Marshall Tucker Band, and the Charlie Daniels Band.

 

Through the efforts of the City of Rockwall, local residents are now able to enjoy nearly 130 free live music performances each year, and the town�s growing reputation as an important music hub has made it a popular destination for travelers from across Texas and beyond.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate the City of Rockwall as the official Live Music Capital of North Texas and urge that free live music continue to be readily available to the residents and visitors of the Lone Star State.

 

That, in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of its designation.