AGP Executive Report

Billboard Breakthrough (Texas Music): Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” just hit a new Hot 100 milestone, spending 23 weeks at No. 1—breaking Mariah Carey’s long-standing record and cementing the country crossover moment. Texas Arts & Culture: WTAMU announced a 30,000-square-foot storm shelter that doubles as a multi-use facility, plus a free America-250th season-opening symphony concert. Local Entertainment & Events: Moore County’s “Smoke & Sounds 2026” goes down Oct. 3 with The Eli Young Band and more, while Lubbock’s Mo’s Monster Mash brings a Halloween night market and trunk-or-treat. Film/TV Buzz: The thriller “Compound” leans into real-life surveillance fears, using security-camera footage to drive its off-the-grid family downfall. Sports/Pop Crossover: Zac Brown is named “Godfather” of Margaritaville at Sea’s new Beachcomber ship, with live-music programming onboard. Big Texas Headlines (Not Entertainment, but Texas-relevant): A judge ordered air conditioning in all Texas prisons by end of 2029.

Texas Entertainment & Arts: PolaCon returns to Denton Sept. 25–27 for its instant-film celebration with Polaroid photo walks, workshops, and live events—plus Day Zero and a PolaCon After Dark show at Meow Wolf. Music & Culture: East Texas blues guitarist Carvin “King of Strings” Jones has died at 60, remembered for crowd-hopping performances and a career spanning decades. Local Sports & Community: The State Fair Classic brings Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling State back to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with the rivalry belt on the line. Film/TV Industry: Paramount’s antitrust settlement clears a major hurdle for its Warner Bros. Discovery merger, though critics say California’s deal doesn’t go far enough. Texas Outdoors: TPWD is inviting Texans to National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26, with a push for hunter education and local fishing events. Austin Arts: A new East Austin mural honoring civic leader Roger Taylor Sr. is unveiled, tied to supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.

AI & Environment: A major data center fuel spill in New Jersey—5,500 gallons of backup diesel into a tributary—has reignited worries that the tech boom is coming with real-world fallout, with local officials questioning whether “no harm” claims will hold up. Texas Entertainment & Casting: Paramount+’s Landman is filming Season 3 in North Texas and is actively hiring local extras in Fort Worth and Haslet, with roles ranging from oil workers to a “Latino oil thief.” Sports Spotlight (Texas): Winona ISD is launching its first-ever soccer program this fall after years of students playing informally, with more than 25% of the student body trying out. Music & Culture: The State Fair of Texas returns Sept. 25–Oct. 18 with lower prices, Big Tex, and a new kids area, while Oktoberfest kicks off across the U.S. including Dallas-Fort Worth. Pop Culture Backlash: Backlash continues over Meryl Streep voicing Aslan in Netflix’s The Magician’s Nephew, with critics arguing it clashes with the book’s Christian allegory.

Theater Etiquette Clash: A man was arrested in Burbank after allegedly pepper-spraying a cellphone user during an AMC screening, reigniting the debate over phone use in movie theaters. Sneaker Brand Backlash: Converse pulled an Instagram ad featuring K-pop singer Karina after critics said lighting and pose evoked KKK imagery and lynching; the company apologized and removed the post. Spooky Streaming: Peacock unveiled its Halloween 2026 lineup, including new horror titles and Crystal Lake arriving Oct. 15. Texas Business Spotlight: Charles Schwab Bank partnered with The DEC Network to open The DEC Network at Fort Worth, aiming to boost local entrepreneurs with education, mentorship, and resources. Pop Culture in Texas: Hilary Duff celebrated a music return with a catered release party featuring In-N-Out burgers. Sports & Texas Buzz: Jeff Bezos surprised fans at AT&T Stadium, joining Jerry Jones on the field before the Cowboys’ home opener.

Texas Arts & Education: Tyler Junior College marked its 100th Founders Day with a campus celebration featuring astronaut Col. Eileen Collins, plus leadership and perseverance messages for students. Music Charts: Sienna Spiro’s “Great Expectation” stays at No. 1 in the UK for a second week, while Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” holds strong near the top. Local Community Creativity: Denton’s Child & Adolescent mental health center is getting a makeover through “Welcoming Spaces,” an art project meant to make treatment feel more connected and accepted. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: Ole Miss beat LSU 32-24 in Lane Kiffin’s return, with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss starring in a revenge-filled night. Health & Safety: New York Mets utility player Jared Young is ruled out for the rest of the season after a concussion from an on-field collision. Community Events: San Marcos launched its first-ever Block Party, mixing live music, food, and a Texas State football watch party downtown.

College Football Buzz (Texas): LSU’s Lane Kiffin returns to Ole Miss with the Grove in full mockery mode as fans booed him on College GameDay ahead of the No. 7 vs No. 8 showdown. Big Game Picks: ESPN’s College GameDay rolls out Week 3 forecasts, while Kentucky takes on Texas A&M in College Station as the Aggies try to stay undefeated. WWE Entertainment: SmackDown turns chaotic as Sami Zayn’s title reign gets messy, with CM Punk making a late-impact statement. Music & Pop Culture (Texas ties): Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” keeps rewriting charts, and Drake’s FOMO remix buzzes again after re-uploading footage tied to the track. Texas Arts & Community: Texas Wesleyan hosts Secret Shorts, a student film series built around watching and discussing short films. Local Spotlight: El Paso Matters’ 9.15K run draws hundreds downtown with live music and a youth band performance. Sports Beyond Football: Orville Peck dedicates a performance to “All the Gay Cowboys,” keeping country’s queer visibility in the spotlight.

College Football (Texas): Texas Tech survived Houston in a 28-26 thriller, sealing the win on a goal-line stop after a late Cougars surge. Week 3 Preview: LSU vs. Ole Miss is the headline “revenge” game, with other ranked matchups and plenty of upset potential across the weekend. Music & Culture (Texas): Old Dominion brought big country energy to Foster Pavilion in a Texas-sized Family Weekend show, while local artist Brian Keeper is debuting a pop-up exhibit in Carmel featuring paintings that survived the 2025 Guadalupe River floods. Pop Music Buzz: Madonna’s MTV VMA nominations jump to 13, and Sienna Spiro’s “Great Expectation” holds the No. 1 spot for a second week. Streaming/Internet: TikTok’s $100m release tied to a 2019 children’s privacy order is still under a judge’s tentative decision. Live Events: Louder Than Life released set times for its Sept. 17-20 run in Louisville, with headliners including Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit and TOOL.

Texas Arts & Culture: Austin’s 6th Street bars received hundreds of Narcan rescue kits after suspected overdoses, with officials pushing for quick access and training on use. Live Entertainment: WWE SmackDown! returns live from Corpus Christi on Friday, with free-stream options via DIRECTV trial and other services carrying USA Network. Music & Community: Edinburg’s ACE Center is rolling out fall interactive mariachi and jazz guitar classes with UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán’s Manuel Lopez (Sept. 30–Oct. 28). Sports Spotlight (Texas): No. 22 Houston hosts No. 13 Texas Tech Friday night, and fans can watch on FOX via free trials like DIRECTV or Fubo. Local Impact: San Antonio’s Reproductive Justice Fund (Women’s Health Fund) is set to stay funded with a $1 million reinvestment across 2027–2028. Big Entertainment Industry: Paramount’s potential move from California to Nashville is back in focus as merger talks and legal fights continue.

Scream 7 Fallout: Matthew Lillard says he feels “ashamed” for appearing in the film after Melissa Barrera was fired over pro-Palestinian posts, calling her “on the right side of history.” Texas Music Charts: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” keeps ruling the ARIA Singles chart for a 14th straight week and also holds a long Billboard Hot 100 reign. Local Screen Spotlight: Laredo-born actor Clark Moore joins Paramount+’s Route 187 as Lt. Jeff Gibson in a four-part mystery drama. Texas Arts & Community: Hill Country Arts Foundation’s Ice Cream Social Ceramics fundraiser returns Sept. 19 to help rebuild after flooding. Sports + Texas Talent: Denison student Keshawn Kemp, legally blind, plays euphonium in the marching band—proof music is for everyone. Texas Culture Calendar: Houston’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations bring music and pride to City Hall. Tech in Texas: Data centers are reshaping parts of Texas, leaving some neighbors feeling powerless over water, power, and impacts.

Texas Arts & Culture: Texas Ballet Theater has named Nicholas Dragga its new executive director, bringing 15+ years of leadership from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Ballet Lubbock, with his first day set for Jan. 1. Music & Live Shows: Country breakout Ella Langley is bringing her “Dandelion Tour” to Athens at Akins Ford Arena on Sept. 18, with Kameron Marlowe and Laci Kaye Booth opening. Family Fun: The Plano Balloon Festival returns this weekend at Oak Point Park, with balloon launches, skydiving, and a nightly laser show (no fireworks due to dry conditions). Community & Career: YOSA Music College Fair is connecting San Antonio-area students with colleges and music programs, helping young musicians plan what comes next. Sports & Scams: Travis Kelce is named among victims in a $35M Ponzi scheme tied to a Texas-based investment company founder, who was sentenced to 11 years. Film Buzz: Austin’s Fantastic Fest is set to premiere “Play House,” an analog-horror style thriller built around VHS tapes and a dark unaired TV show.

Music & Tours: Harry Styles adds more London dates to his Together, Together Tour, with tickets going on sale at 11am today. Texas Soundtrack: Xperi’s Summer 2026 in-car listening report crowns Bruno Mars as the most-listened-to artist in U.S. vehicles, while Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” leads in Texas across the summer. Radio Expansion: Norsan Media launches “Poder 93.3 FM” in Austin, a new 100,000-watt Regional Mexican station aimed at adults 18–49. Local Arts: Fort Worth’s Amon Carter Museum announces “Lava Thomas: In Our Own Regard,” featuring large-scale drawings and a commissioned wallpaper installation opening Nov. 7. Live Entertainment: Fastball, the Austin band behind “The Way,” reflects on its path ahead of an Odeum set in Texas. Community & Culture: Lufkin Mall is listed for sale after more than 40 years, with the AMC Lufkin 9 still a key draw.

Local Arts Milestone: The Wallace Theater in Levelland marked one year since its grand reopening, welcoming 10,000+ visitors and bringing music, comedy, and classic movies back to the community. Houston Culture: Houston City College launched a new mariachi program, Mariachi Águilas de Oro, built by students to celebrate mariachi history and culture. TV & Streaming: CBS confirmed Yellowstone alum Jefferson White will reprise Jimmy Hurdstrom in Season 2 of Marshals, premiering Oct. 4. Music Buzz: Drake’s “FOMO” film dropped with new music and a Toronto-themed visual ride, and the remix chatter around “Choosin’ Texas” continues to heat up. Texas Entertainment Calendar: The State Fair of Texas returns Sept. 25 with Clint Black kicking off the main stage lineup. Sports-Entertainment Crossover: Kansas practiced in London ahead of the Union Jack Classic, keeping the Jayhawks’ trip feeling “like home.”

Music Spotlight: Drake’s “Fear of Missing Out” lands as an hourlong “not-so-short film,” packed with new tracks and cameos from Sexxy Red, Don Toliver, and more—plus a Drake remix of Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” and a tease that he’ll be touring in 2027. Texas Arts & Culture: Waco’s rooftop bar Encore is expanding into a bigger entertainment hub with comedy at the Hippodrome Theatre and an upscale steakhouse, aiming to turn “people not knowing we exist” into a full-on local buzz. Local Events: Arlington’s West Main Arts Festival returns with free family-friendly art and music—80 artists, 28 bands, and food trucks—built to spotlight local and emerging talent. Pop Culture Buzz: Roger Waters wades into the Ed Sheeran/Macklemore controversy with a scathing takedown, escalating the stadium-speech fallout. Sports & Community: Baylor’s classes go beyond basics, from anarchism history to podcast writing, showing how Texas campuses are leaning into creative, real-world learning.

Stadium Tour Buzz: Kenny Chesney and Sheryl Crow just locked in a Texas stop on their 2027 Original Vibe Room Tour, with presales starting Sept. 17 and general sales Sept. 25. Tour Drama: Ed Sheeran’s U.S. dates hit turbulence after Macklemore was dropped over pro-Palestine remarks, and other openers reportedly quit in protest. Local Live Music: Winnsboro Live! returns Sept. 19 with a free Bowery concert by the Darrin Morris Band plus the grand opening of the Winnsboro Social District. Arts in the Park: Longview Arboretum’s Garden Sessions debuts Sept. 20 with DJs, live art, a drum circle, and yard games. Texas Culture Spotlight: San Antonio Botanical Garden opens a Día de los Muertos Catrina exhibit Sept. 15. Big Texas Backlash: Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Rep. Venton Jones face heat after honoring Chris Brown at an Arlington concert, and Jones later apologized. Accessibility Win: San Antonio is expanding accessibility at Miller’s Pond Park with an ADA walkway and new mosaic benches. Chart Moment: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” ties Mariah Carey’s Hot 100 record with 22 weeks at No. 1.

CMA Awards Buzz (Texas music): Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” is driving major momentum as she led 2026 Country Music Association Awards nominations with nine nods, followed by Miranda Lambert (six), with Kacey Musgraves and Ben West close behind. Local Tribute Spot: A new Dolly Parton mural in Fort Worth is already pulling in fans for photos and heartfelt stops at the Stagecoach Ballroom. Houston Live Music: Houston Bluesfest is back, aiming to honor the city’s blues roots while spotlighting today’s sound. AFRIMMA in Dallas: Davido’s “5IVE” won Album of the Year at AFRIMMA 2026, with the awards and festival returning to Dallas. Sports-to-Coaching (Texas golf): U.S. Solheim Cup captain Angela Stanford is joining TCU as an assistant women’s golf coach after the Americans’ loss to Europe. Tech/Travel (Austin): A Texas test drive of Tesla’s Cybercab highlights how self-driving cars can be impressive—and confusing—when you’re stuck in parking-lot chaos. Big Stage Drama (Patriots/Ed Sheeran): Robert Kraft says Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium shows over concerns tied to onstage remarks. Community & Arts: Goodwill North Central Texas is expanding in Parker County with a new Hudson Oaks store and donation center opening in early 2027.

CMA Awards Buzz: Ella Langley leads the 2026 Country Music Association Awards nominations with nine nods for “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her,” followed by Miranda Lambert (six) and big hitters like Kacey Musgraves and Ben West (five each). Tour Drama: Macklemore says he’s been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop tour after pro-Palestinian onstage remarks, with venues reportedly refusing to host him—Texas’ AT&T Stadium is among the stops named. Local Arts & Culture: San Antonio’s Guadalupe Dance Company marks 35 years with “Celebrando Tradiciones: Corazón y Raíz” at the Carver Cultural Center this weekend. Community Events: Austin Museum Day is set for Sunday, Sept. 20, with free admission at 39 museums and cultural spots across Central Texas. Music in Arlington: Rep. Jasmine Crockett joined Chris Brown and Usher onstage at AT&T Stadium for Congressional Record recognition, sparking fresh debate online. Texas Entertainment Business: Dave & Buster’s reported Q2 2026 results and plans more remodels, while a new College Station location is slated to open Oct. 26.