LOCKHART, Texas — Lockhart may be known as the Barbeque Capital of Texas, but it’s quickly making a name for its growing live music scene.
In large part, it is driven by musicians who are leaving Austin.
As the smell of brisket lingers in the air in the town square, so too does the tune. A chorus of the strumming of guitar chords, accompanied by drums and the singing of high and low notes.
Mayor Lew White said the musical sound has become more common around town, as more and more Austin musicians have been drawn to the small town.
“We have such a growing community of musicians who have moved out from Austin,” White said. “It is a more affordable place to live, easier to apply their trade, and there are plenty of opportunities to perform here locally either in the local venues or in some of the larger music festivities that we promote during the year.”
In addition to the affordability, some are drawn to Lockhart because of its now-growing music community and relaxed lifestyle.
“You’re so close to Austin, so you can have a gig in both cities. You can have an early one here and then go do a late night one there,” Ronda Reagan, who owns The Pearl in Downtown Lockhart, said. “It’s just become real popular to play here and live here. It’s been an economic boost to the community.”
When it opened in 2015, The Pearl was one of the only venues that had live music. Today, there are 14 bars throughout the downtown district in Lockhart.
The Pearl has live music on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“It’s like having a party in my living room but without having to clean my house,” Reagan said. “I love it.”
The Pearl recently expanded from an 8-foot stage to an 18-foot stage and opened a second space called The Blue Pearl. Reagan said they have Blues jams on the fourth Sunday of every month.
“There’s no cover, and people just love to come to hear blues on a Sunday afternoon,” Reagan said. “We have had some country western bands, and we’ll have this dance floor covered up with people dancing, and that’s been wonderful.”
On Friday, the Texas Music Office officially designated the city as a “Music Friendly Texas Certified Community.”
Lockhart earned the title after completing requirements to attract and develop its local music industry.
“It’s just one more feather in our cap that’ll get us on the map and recognized for live music,” Reagan said.
White said other cities with the designation have seen a boost in their local economies. He hopes it will lead to some tourism in Lockhart, which would help support the businesses on the square.
“That helps your town grow, and not only does it promote tourism and local tax dollars and sales doctors, but it’s a good advertisement for your city for people who may want to move here, open a business here in town, or collaborate with some of our local businesses,” White said. “It’s a win-win situation for us.”
Lockhart is the 72nd Music Friendly Texas Certified Community. The list includes other Central Texas cities like Austin, Bastrop, Dripping Springs, Round Rock and San Marcos. The program has been around since 2016.
A ceremony to celebrate Lockhart’s designation took place on North Main Street on Friday evening.
As more music venues pop up around town and more music comes to the Lockhart area, Mayor White said it has revitalized the downtown and historic courthouse square.
“When I first came to town, there were feed stores, and around the corner, there were hardware stores,” White said. “There were small little cafes and restaurants, nothing like the scale we have today.”
Today, White said it is more vibrant and robust than at any point in the 44 years he has lived in the Lockhart.
“Town squares and towns our size or are a dying breed, but we’re going the opposite direction,” White said. “Much of that has to do with the young entrepreneurs who come to town and the young musicians that agree to perform here.”
The Lockhart Area Music Association was started in 2013 to promote more live music. In addition to venues like The Pearl, events like the Courthouse Nights concert series and First Fridays, which draw music lovers to the historic courthouse square, help the local music economy.
Lockhart is currently undergoing a project to revitalize the historic downtown square.
“It is changing traffic patterns, improving pedestrian safety and lighting,” White said. “We’re spending a lot of time and money on our downtown area because it’s very valuable to us.”
As waves of musicians have descended on Lockhart and the sound waves of loud music continue to wash over the town, Reagan hopes this designation will cement Lockhart as a hub for musicians and music lovers.
“I think the city will grow more popular with live music,” Reagan said. “We won’t be just known for being the barbecue capital of Texas, we could also become a live music capital perhaps in the future.”