Recognized Film & Music Friendly

Stephenville City and Erath County Designated Film Friendly in late 2019 by Governor Greg Abbott

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the City of Stephenville, having completed the multi-step training and certification process, has been designated a Film Friendly Texas community by the Texas Film Commission, which helps to grow local jobs and local economies by promoting the Lone Star State as the premier destination for film, television, commercial, animation, visual effects and video game production. With the City of Stephenville’s certification, and Erath County’s initiative to submit location photos for inclusion in the TFC locations database and pass administratively enforceable filming guidelines through Commissioners Court, all communities in Erath County, including unincorporated communities, have now earned the Film Friendly Texas Designation.

“I congratulate the City of Stephenville and Erath County on earning the Film Friendly Texas designation,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas has much to offer, and through the Film Friendly Texas training and certification process, communities large and small are readied to help match local businesses with production-related needs, creating jobs for Texas-based crew members and local residents as well as spurring on-site spending at local small businesses. And I am proud of all that the Texas Film Commission has accomplished in helping communities like Stephenville to grow their local economy."

The City of Stephenville and Erath County join more than 130 Film Friendly Texas communities that receive ongoing training and guidance from the Texas Film Commission on media industry standards, best practices and how to effectively accommodate on-location filming activity in their community.

The Texas Film Commission in the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism Division has attracted $1.39 billion in local spending and created more than 153,000 production jobs across the state from 2007 to 2017. ~Texas Film Commission

In Late 2018, The Texas Music Office within the Office of the Governor certified the City of Stephenville as the sixth city to receive the TMO’s Music Friendly Community certification.

 celebration ceremony from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Twisted J. The public is invited to attend this free event. Performing that evening will be Pearl Street Combo, with an open jam following the ceremony featuring other local musicians.

Participation in this program provides the community with a network for fostering music industry development, and sends a clear message to industry professionals that certified communities are serious about attracting and developing music industry growth. Other cities who have received this prestigious certification are Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Denton and Lindale. Other cities that are currently working through the certification process are Conroe and Corpus Christi.

“The Texas Music Office believes that it is essential to the well-being of our statewide music industry that we become a more interconnected and organized community, “said Brendon Anthony, Director of the Texas Music Office. “Every city in Texas has its own identity and contribution to our unique industry landscape,” Anthony continued. “We want to work with all of them to help grow their local music industry economies. It is our firm belief that by sharing information about industry successes, as well as missteps, we will make Texas a more productive and profitable music industry and a more strategically-placed player in the international music industry landscape.”

“Stephenville recognizes that music is a key driver to our community’s economic development,” says Mayor Doug Svein. “Music attracts thousands of visitors to our community each year, and is at the top of our community’s quality-of-life assets.” Stephenville is no stranger to the music industry. For almost 40 years, Stephenville has been home to Tarleton State University’s Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center, and the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council. For over 30 years, visitors have flocked to Melody Mountain Ranch for the Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival. The Birdsong Amphitheater has hosted live music under the stars for over 17 years, and Larry Joe Taylor’s Fall Fest has drawn music lovers for 13 years. Stephenville’s newest venue, Twisted J has already attracted thousands of guests to the state-of-the-art facility since opening in January.  ~Texas Music Office