Tritt Plays Texas Music Theater

By Nick McCown

SAN MARCOS, Texas- Texas Music Theater welcomed prolific country music singer Travis Tritt on Friday. The Georgia native has put out 10 albums since 1989, with seven of them certified as platinum, and has also received two Grammy Awards.

Tritt's performance highlighted a long line of prestigious country musicians. In its two years of existence, the venue has hosted performers like Robert Earl Keen, Roger Creager and Josh Abbot. Oklahoma native Jason Boland and Shooter Jennings, son of country music legend Waylon Jennings, played a show just the night before.

It is no secret that Texas Music Theater loves its country music, as do many San Marcos locals and college students. Richard Heuser, a junior at Texas State and long-time Tritt fan who had never been to Texas Music Theater before, was there enjoying the show.

"My dad listened to a lot of Travis Tritt. I just grew up listening to him," Heuser said. "Travis Tritt played a brilliant show."

Past a crowded floor of cowboy hats and two-steppers, Heuser was posted in the front row yelling for every new song.

"I prefer country music," Heuser said. "When I think of Texas Music Theater, I think of country or 'Texas music'."

While country music is often heard streaming out of Texas Music Theater, the venue is conscious of the college demographic and often hosts other genres. Rock band Blue October played the venue just two weeks before.

"Typically, for big shows, we do have country music artists," said Texas Music Theater employee Quado Chukwujinan. "However, we do like to switch up genres. There is a diverse crowd that we cater to."

The night following Tritt's performance would host Beat King, a hip-hop artist from Houston. Also, Texas Music Theater has started presenting a College Night every Thursday with DJ's playing a mix of country and dance.

Country music fan Heuser said, "They should reach out to different crowds. They can maybe have certain days for different genres."

While Texas Music Theater has its roots in the culture and musical heritage of the lone star state, it puts forth effort to satisfy the diverse rhythmic needs of the town it plays for. It will undoubtedly continue to stratify in this aspect, keeping it one of San Marcos' premiere music venues.
       

Where did the EDM go?

By: Aubree Barnes

SAN MARCOS, Texas- In recent years Texas Music Theater has been opening its doors to new genres of music and has helped bring new life to historic downtown San Marcos.

Texas Music Theater, known as TMT, holds approximately 1,000 people and is the premiere venue between Austin and New Braunfels.

TMT has housed major country artists as well as a multitude of up and coming artists but in recent years, as the electric dance music craze has become more prevalent, it has been host to popular DJs and hip hop artists.

In 2012 TMT held a contract with AfterDark Productions to have an EDM DJ play every Tuesday night accompanied by drink specials.

“Having the opportunity to have event in this venue was something the whole team looked forward to, and worked that much harder to make it great,” said AfterDark representative, Teddy Chang. “I have gotten the opportunity to perform (here) once or twice and it was insane.”

This weekly event created a buzz among other production companies in the San Marcos area.

Vivid Sound Entertainment alongside I Am San Marcos presented the first silent disco, called Silent San Marcos, as a pre-party to the up and coming music festival, Euphoria in 2012.

This historic venue housed this first time event perfectly, and made an impact on the nightlife and music scene in San Marcos.

Photo taken by:Aubree Barnes

“Going to events other than country concerts at TMT has been nice,” said Texas State sophomore, Alexis Hall. “I have never been a huge country fan, and being able to go to a show that had production quality and was only a few blocks off campus was pretty sick.”

After the AfterDark contract was finished for Tuesday nights, the public noticed a shift back to mainly country artists by the venue.

“My experience working with TMT was simple and straightforward,” Patrick Prince of I Am San Marcos explained. "But they tend to like country more at the venue. The venue is absolutely magnificent so to do anything there is always amazing but it is up to them to decide what they want to host.”

Photo taken by: Aubree Barnes

TMT representatives were unwilling to comment on whether or not EDM events would still be held at their venue but referred us to the company line, “the music comes first and the fans will follow.”

Controversy surrounds the change back to a mainly country lineup, and has left the community divided.

 “I am honestly glad to see TMT get back to their roots, besides the MR Fest concert coming up,” construction worker and Texas State alumni, Dylan Piper said. “Texas music is in the name and it should be just that.”

Others believe that the venue should be able to be used by all of the community and to help the San Marcos music scene grow.

TMT has a few diverse shows coming up including MR Fest, which displays a variety of genres, but no promise of EDM returning anytime soon. 

 “I do not want to have to go to Austin to see an awesome DJ spin," Hall explained. "If we have a venue that can produce a quality show, I say give the people what they want."

This leaves fans wondering whether or not this world-class venue will be able to be enjoyed by all crowds or simply by country fans and the occasional rock and indie show.


 Sources:
Patrick Prince, I Am San Marcos- (281) 383-9293
Alexis Hall, Texas State Sophomore- (512) 767-3853
Teddy Chang, AfterDark representative- (281) 636-2316
Dylan Piper, Texas State Alumni- (512) 269-6048