But this is more than music. It’s a way of life that ripples through the streets, shaped by the warmth of its people and a storied past. Dallas is a touchstone of American country music, helping to shape the genre for the rest of the country. The songs here carry the voice of a city and its people: heartfelt, weathered and hopeful.
Among the artists shaping this vibrant legacy are Mitchell Ferguson and Angel White.
Ferguson’s country-soul style channels the ups and downs of North Texas living, as heard in his reflective, rootsy single “Like They Used To.” The song paints vivid pictures of local life — cruising down Interstate 35 or following “daddy’s good old-fashioned advice” — capturing not just a place but a feeling that many in Dallas know well: the comfort of tradition mingled with the spirit of moving forward. It’s a fitting anthem for a city that honors its past while celebrating what’s next, and it’s that thread of honest, nostalgic songwriting that allows Ferguson’s music to resonate so deeply with Dallas audiences.
Angel White, performing at ‘til Midnight at the Nasher on July 18. He embodies the soul of Dallas country music.
Eric Diep
Angel White, meanwhile, expresses his profound connection to North Texas each time he steps on stage, such as at the Nasher Sculpture Center on Friday, July 18. Raised in McKinney, White brings together deep-rooted storytelling and a distinctly modern sensibility. “I’m Texas wherever I go,” he says, a sentiment echoed in his songs, which bridge old and new, reflecting the region’s enduring influence and ever-evolving sound.
The Dallas country scene is a melting pot of sounds and influences, not confined to one sound.
Joshua Ray Walker, raised right here, is living proof. For him, Texas culture and country music are inseparable. “It’s woven in everywhere,” he says. Walker’s music nods to blues, alt-country and rock genres that grow together in Dallas’ fertile musical ground.
White embraces this same ethos. Wherever his music goes, it brings with it the grit and truth of North Texas. His songs carry the weight of a place where change is constant, yet some things, like the pride of local legends or the feel of a homegrown tune, never fade. From the timeless funk of Stevie Ray Vaughan to modern venues bursting with new ideas, the city shapes its artists in profound ways.
The Vandoliers, a genre-blending group from Dallas, bridge country’s legacy with punk’s drive.
“There’s this crossroads energy here where everything comes together,” says frontwoman Jenni Rose.
For them, Dallas is where country gains an edge. What sets North Texas apart isn’t just its history or its innovation, but its collaborative heart. Sarah Carrino, known for weaving folk and bluegrass influences into her music, credits the region’s supportive spirit.
“It’s such a nurturing, welcoming culture,” Carrino says. In Dallas, ideas and melodies flow freely between artists, making the scene feel less like competition and more like family.
Venues like Three Links, Granada Theater and The Kessler play a central role, giving artists both a stage and a sense of home.
“Every corner of Deep Ellum felt like a home,” Rose recalls. The variety — punk next to jazz, country beside blues — fosters a sense of possibility. In Dallas, whatever story you want to tell, there’s a place for it.
Walker agrees, noting that the city’s abundant musical history encourages creativity. “Whether it’s Tejano, R&B, soul or blues, all these elements find a way into our music because they’re in the air we breathe.”
Sarah Carrino, weaving heartfelt stories into her music, captures the rich storytelling tradition of North Texas country roots.
Marcus Junius Laws
To be an innovator for the future, Dallas’ country musicians hold deep respect for the past. Angel White listens carefully to stories from decades gone by to inform his own songwriting: “You learn so much going back and listening to those stories from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, but finding a way to pair that with something new to say keeps it alive.”
The Vandoliers take a similar approach, melding the tradition of country ballads with punk’s irreverence.
“Dallas-Fort Worth has always had this alt-country aggression,” explains multi-instrumentalist Cory Graves of the band. “It’s loud, it’s fast, but it still has that twang that ties you back to the roots.”
The spirit of evolution runs through all corners of Dallas’ scene.
“Country music has never stopped changing,” says Walker. “Every decade sounds different than the one before. The key is staying true to your story.”
Carrino traces her inspiration even further back, drawing on Appalachian ballads.
“Music wasn’t just entertainment. It was survival, a way to cope, to connect,” she shares. “That essence still exists today, and I try to honor that in every note I sing.”
In 2025, country music in North Texas will have a fresh energy. Cowboy boots and Americana sounds will draw crowds once again, and artists will see themselves riding a new wave.
“Everything has its time, and this is the time for it,” reflects White.
Walker credits pop culture, like the TV show Yellowstone, for driving a country revival reminiscent of previous eras. He reminds us that acts like line dancing and wearing cowboy hats are always one soundtrack away from a comeback. But the real secret lies in honesty.
“Country music is for everybody,” says Rose. “It’s raw, it’s real and it speaks to the human experience, whether you’re hearing it in a Dallas honky-tonk or on a global stage.”
As Carrino puts it, “There’s an authenticity here, a rawness that people hunger for in a world that’s increasingly disconnected. And North Texas keeps that alive. It doesn’t just contribute to it, it nurtures it.”
Joshua Ray Walker, a North Texas native, channels the diverse sounds of Dallas—from blues to Tejano—into his heartfelt country storytelling.
David McClister
The North Texas country music scene is more than a collection of songs or artists. It’s a living, breathing story about resilience, connection and what it means to belong. What’s next for it is in the hands of musicians like White, Walker, The Vandoliers, Carrino, and Ferguson, who are the torchbearers and are building up Dallas’ musical history.
Walker finds himself optimistic about the future of North Texas country.
“This is a legacy, and every artist is building on what came before them,” he says. “I’m excited for what’s next.”
For Carrino, the scene’s inherent openness stands as its greatest strength.
“You don’t just step away from something this rich. It’s always there to welcome you back.”
And as for the Vandoliers?
“We’re just excited to be part of it,” Rose says. “To be another verse in this long, beautiful song.”
Perhaps Angel White sums it up best, saying, “Life happens here, and people sing about it. That’s all there is to it.”
The stage is set, the lights are low and the music of North Texas continues to echo far beyond city limits. The twang endures, and in every strum of a guitar or stomp of a boot, the heart of Dallas beats on.
