In Texas, where bigger often means better — bigger audiences, stadiums and productions — it’s easy to assume the same applies to music. The industry thrives on spectacle, but NPR’s Tiny Desk contest (which invites musicians to submit) flips the script, stripping everything down to what truly matters: the story, the sound and the connection.
For 16 years, Tiny Desk has been a rite of passage for artists, showcasing raw, intimate performances from rising acts to legends. North Texas musicians such as Leon Bridges, Charley Crockett and Erykah Badu have proven that local talent shines even in the smallest spaces. With over 1,200 performances since 2008, the series proves that sometimes, less really is more.
Just look at Dezi 5. The pop/R&B artist has been in the industry for over 10 years, constantly scaling up, pushing boundaries and refining his craft. Now, he’s producing one of the biggest entertainment shows Dallas has ever seen with the yearly Dallas Entertainment Awards. He’s doing it all with intention — not just chasing the next big thing, but creating something meaningful…