Texas Music News — September 21, 2026
Fort Worth’s music scene stormed Nashville last Thursday for the sixth annual Cowtown GitDown at AmericanaFest. The free, all-day showcase also filled Tennessee Brew Works in Nashville’s SoBro neighborhood with Panther City talent. Out-of-town fans treat the Cowtown GitDown stop as an annual pilgrimage, and this year didn’t disappoint. Guests got complimentary food and cocktails from La Pulga Spirits, plus free swag from Printed Threads. Meanwhile, 95.6 The Ranch, the largest Americana radio station in Texas, captured interviews on-site for future broadcast.
This year’s Cowtown GitDown lineup read like a hometown reunion. First, Oscar-nominated singer Abraham Alexander topped the bill, while JAMBALOO Music Prize winner Matthew McNeal played too. Leon Bridges collaborator .MARCEL also took the stage, along with honey-voiced songwriter Mollie Danel. Hearing that many Fort Worth voices in one room felt like something special. It was as if Panther City packed up its porch and carried it to Music City for the day.
Cowtown GitDown Makes Fort Worth Nashville’s Ambassador
Fort Worth earned a special spot on AmericanaFest’s map last year. The festival named it spotlight city during its 25th anniversary celebration, a nod to what organizers call “The Unexpected City.” Then, in 2026, Hear Fort Worth, the city’s music office, marked its own 10th anniversary. Since launching, the division of Visit Fort Worth has backed artists through travel grants, industry showcases and more.
“When Fort Worth artists take the stage at Americanafest, they’re not just performing, they’re serving as ambassadors for a city with deep, authentic music identity,” said Tom Martens, vice president of creative and music for Visit Fort Worth. “We’re dedicated to giving our local artists a national platform, and in doing so, we invite music fans, journalists and industry leaders from across the country to discover the city that shaped the sound.”
Fort Worth has always made room for musicians willing to work. This is the city that still packs Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk, on any given weekend. Now Fort Worth is exporting that same work ethic, one Nashville showcase at a time. Panther City didn’t just show up at Cowtown GitDown this year — it made sure everyone remembered why they keep coming back.
Details at KXT 91.7.
More Texas Music News
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro wants Texans to help preserve the state’s music history. So, the San Antonio Democrat is again asking the public to nominate Latino and Texas artists for the National Recording Registry. It’s the Library of Congress’s list of culturally significant recordings. Nominations close Sunday, and past picks include Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood and Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls.” Details at San Antonio Current.
San Antonio’s INOHA is chasing a sold-out headlining tour after its viral rise. The indie-rock quartet, all raised in the Alamo City, then kicked off a nationwide run Saturday at Paper Tiger. Their new album, This Might Be Useful, dropped Sept. 4. Singles like “Are We Cool” are fueling a Gen Z audience that found them through TikTok. Details at San Antonio Current.
Metallica is bringing its M72 World Tour to San Antonio’s Alamodome next summer. The band plays the dome on Saturday, May 22, 2027, with Limp Bizkit and Avatar opening. Fan club presale tickets start Monday, and general sales begin Sept. 25. Details at San Antonio Current.
Leon Bridges is about to drop his most adventurous album yet. The Fort Worth-raised, Grammy-winning singer releases Happiness Anytime on Sept. 25 via Columbia Records. He made the record with Jungle’s J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto. Meanwhile, early singles like “Tears of Joy” and “Your Love Is Electric” pull from Fela Kuti and Brazilian legend Jorge Ben. Details at mxdwn Music.