The Marshall Lions Club hosted Preston Taylor on September 14. Taylor is the director and producer of the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards event to be held at Marshall’s Memorial City Hall from October 13-16. Texas Sounds brings artists from all over the world to perform. Over the four days, individual and group performers will compete – with an awards ceremony taking place on the final day.
In 2014, the concept of a global country music competition was launched in the small tourist town of Jefferson. Initially, Texas Sounds started with an Australian band that was convinced they had to perform in Jefferson. The concept quickly matured into one of the most exciting country music events in the world. While artists want to record in Nashville, performers still want the reputation of having performed in Texas. In 2022, the Texas Sounds competition will see artists perform at Marshall from over 17 different countries around the world. For example, this year we will see artists from Spain, Sweden, Malaysia, South Africa, Belgium, Norway, Australia, Mexico, Kenya, Republic of Georgia, Eswatini and Canada.
According to Taylor, country music is America’s biggest global export. And the allure of East Texas is a huge money-making opportunity for the community. In fact, it was such an attraction that the event will move from Jefferson to its new home at Memorial City Hall this year. Taylor and Marshall’s director of tourism and cultural arts, Dan Duke, hope the event will outgrow the Memorial City Hall venue by 2024 and move to Marshall’s Convention Center as its long-term home.
Tickets are on sale now. Tickets for a one-night show are $30 or $40 depending on seat location at Memorial City Hall. Or people can purchase a combo package for all nights that includes a champagne brunch and prize discount for $199. For those wishing to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.texasounds.org/2022-2.
If you are interested in learning more about the Marshall Lions Club and/or becoming a Lion, please attend a Tuesday noon meeting at the Panola Harrison Cooperative Building located at 410 E. Houston St. in Marshall.
