Fort Worth has a sound. It gets mislaid sometimes in the parade of progress.
Every so often, a Fort Worth act breaks that sound barrier and permeates through the ears of millions. With deep roots in the city, the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Van Cliburn, Ornette Coleman, T-Bone Burnett and, more recently, Leon Bridges managed to gather worldwide impressions and acclaim and bring the city’s sound to millions.
In Near Southside, the district with a knack for artistry, an ecosystem for creatives is currently thriving, with the possibility of breaking the next big act out of Fort Worth.
The ecosystem is a tight-knit community of businesses that are working toward that goal.
Near Southside Inc., the nonprofit that helps manage the area’s development, recently held a development tour of nine such businesses, or "hidden gems." These establishments operate out of decades-old buildings – some with obscure entrances with little hint of all the genius that takes places inside.
These businesses and the entrepreneurs that keep them viable are keeping the sights and sounds of Fort Worth resonating.