Is This The Most Beautiful Small Concert Venue in Texas?

Have you ever heard of Round Top, Texas? Most people have not, but back in February my nephew, Will Lynde, hosted and performed at a venue there I can only describe as magical. It's called the Round Top Festival Institute, and lucky you, I took pictures. 

First, a quick explanation of who Will Lynde is and what he, and a good portion of my new family, were doing performing there. The "new family" reference probably could use an explanation as well. We'll get to that.

Will is my nephew, my sister Danna and her husband Hal's son, he's a gifted musician, composer, producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. Will has been playing and singing in country star Kip Moore's road band for a couple of years now, traveling the world performing before thousands of country music fans.

His great-uncle, began this fundraiser show to benefit a local library there many years ago, luring talent from all over Texas and even beyond including his brother, J Gary Smith, to perform there every year. That tradition continues with Will hosting the event since his uncle passed away a few years ago. This year's fundraiser show was a terrific Valentine's Day-themed, love song-kinda night featuring Will, his wife Arden, brother Justin Fox, and Grandfather J Gary Smith. All of which are members of my new family. (Don't worry, that's coming)

I'm trying not to get too far into the weeds on the backstory of WHY, we now switch to the story of, WHERE.

The Where?

Round Top, Texas is literally in the middle of nowhere. It doesn't even have a major freeway nearby. The town is about 128 driving-miles Northwest'ish from Houston, not far from LaGrange (yes, that LaGrange). I promise while getting there you will take a couple of turns and question if you're still on the right road. The population of of Round Top, according to the last Census, is 91, LaGrange has over 4000 residents by comparison., so, yeah, small. One mile further up Texas Hwy 237 is the Round Top Festival Institute and that is where you will find this amazing venue.

The Round Top Festival Institute apparently teaches budding classical musicians and has a concert series every summer starting in June.

The old-world beauty of this place is jaw-dropping and the history behind it is fascinating as well. To learn more about the Institute, follow the links below.

Ready for some pics?

It was a lovely afternoon of music and fundraising for the library.

Will and Family did an amazing job with the entertaining.

I hope I get invited back next time.

The Round Top Festival Institute holds special occasion shows there regularly, as an artist, you can even rent the hall to record your next album. Wedding packages are available as well, just click on the link to learn more about the Round Top Festival Institute, in beautiful Round Top, Texas.

New Family Story:

For those that don't know but yet, still give a hoot about the author (me), I was adopted as a baby and grew up not knowing who my birth-parents were. It's a long story but if you are interested, you can get caught up to the DNA-induced new family reunion I never knew I needed until it happened three years ago this month. What a blessing. Click here to read more. Thanks for your interest.

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