Preview of Texas Music Revolution 2016

Editor’s note: Since publication, we have added another story on TMR with much more info here. Plano City Council voted on November 23, 2015, to approve Oak Point Park as the new venue for the Texas Music Revolution, a music festival that radio station KHYI 95.3 “The Range” has been putting on for the past 19 years. The 20th anniversary of the festival will be March 25-26, 2016, in Plano’s Oak Point Park.

So what exactly does that mean?

Well, for those who enjoyed the ill-fated Suburbia, the last music festival held in May 2014 in Plano (and subsequently canceled), this is great news. Plano’s giant, beautiful park is the perfect location for a music festival. But hold on to your glow sticks and beach balls, because this shindig probably won’t have as much hard-core rap or as many laser light shows as Suburbia.

To find out what you can expect at Texas Music Revolution 2016, we talked to Josh Jones, General Manager and VP of KHYI.

What prompted Texas Music Revolution’s move to Plano?
The conversation began organically. KHYI and the City of Plano already had a relationship from the Courtyard Texas Music Series. Plus, our studios were there for 10 years. Plano is super cool and we love it there. Other venue options came up but we wanted to be in Plano.

Texas Music Revolution has been an indoor concert for the past 19 years (with the past 16 being at Southfork Ranch). What changes will the move to Plano’s Oak Point Park bring to the festival?
We will have more space now, and the partnership with the City of Plano will really help us grow the event. Texas weather always makes me nervous, but we have contingency plans in place for any scenario. And the move outdoors will allow for the addition of new vendors, booths, food, etc.

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Texas Music Revolution 18 in 2014 // photo by Texas Red Photography

How firm are the dates March 25-26, which is also Easter weekend?
100% firm. I hope the 10pm sound curfew will positively affect the Easter crowd. They can come enjoy two great days of music and still make it to church Sunday morning.

How do you expect the crowd size this year at Oak Point Park will compare to previous TMR crowds?
Over 19 years, the crowds have ranged wildly from a couple thousand people the first few years to almost 10,000 some years…and we’ve had people fly in from as far as Australia for previous TMRs. This March, we are expecting at least 5000-7500 people over the weekend.

After 2014’s Suburbia Music Festival, lots of east Plano neighbors complained about the noise, especially late into Sunday evening. How do you plan to deal with that?
We have a hard 10pm curfew both nights [Friday and Saturday] and hopefully everyone in the area will be at the park celebrating with us.

Where exactly will TMR be set up at Oak Point?
We will have two stages. One stage will be the Oak Point Amphitheater and the other stage (that we will be bringing in) is going to be set up in the field directly east of it.

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Texas Music Revolution 17 in 2013 // photo by Raymond Murphy

Can we assume the type of music you’ll hear at the festival will be exactly what you’d hear on radio station 95.3 The Range (country, Americana, folk, no “bro country”)?
You are correct.

It’s called Texas Music Revolution. Is there an effort to feature only Texas musicians?
Not necessarily. We feature artists from Canada to Tennessee to Texas. We care more about the music than where they are from. Musically, they’re all “Texan to us.”

Who have been some of the biggest musical acts from recent TMRs?
Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland, Pat Green, Randy Rogers, Robert Earl Keen, Ricky Skaggs—it’s a long list. The TMR is a rite of passage for many.

Last year’s lineup had a lot of dudes. Where are all the ladies?
We can’t reveal this year’s lineup just yet, but if things go according to plan, you should be happy.

Editor’s Note: Since this interview, KHYI has released most of the lineup (shown below).

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Texas Music Revolution tickets are now onsale. Friday-only $29 / Saturday-only $34 / 2-day tickets $50.

Texas Music Revolution Website > TMR Tickets > [codepeople-post-map]
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2 Comments

  1. says: Brenda Williamson

    Me and a friend are coming to the 20th music revolution this weekend, we are driving from Southern Illinois, looking for a good time. I WON TICKETS TO THE 2 DAY SHOW, SO EXCITED.

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