JAMBALOO Launches $20K Annual Venue Prize to Support DFW Music Scene

Fort Worth's The Cicada Named Inaugural Recipient After Near Closure DALLAS, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- What began as a last-minute rescue for a beloved local venue has grown into a game-changing initiative for North Texas music. JAMBALOO, a music festival launched earlier this year by the Mullen & Mullen Music Project, has introduced the JAMBALOO Venue Prize, a $20,000 annual grant that also provides operational support to independent, locally-owned venues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The first recipient of the prize is The Cicada, a Fort Worth staple known for its eclectic mix of live music, open mics, burlesque shows, and community events. Facing rising costs, a sudden rent hike, and infrastructure challenges such as a broken AC unit, The Cicada was on the brink of closing its doors this summer until Mullen & Mullen Injury Law Firm and the Fort Worth Music Office (also known as Hear Fort Worth) stepped in to keep it alive. "We've been looking to expand our efforts to help independent venues and local artists," said Joseph Morrison, Senior Associate at Mullen & Mullen Injury Law Firm and co-founder of JAMBALOO. "When we heard The Cicada was in trouble, we couldn't just stand by. Fort Worth needs spaces like The Cicada. They are where artists get their start and where community thrives." A Lifeline for Independent Venues The JAMBALOO Venue Prize is designed to address the growing challenges faced by small music venues across the country. A June 2025 report from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) found that 64% of independent venues were unprofitable in 2024, despite the live music sector generating $153 billion in economic output and supporting more than 900,000 jobs. "Running a small venue means working on razor-thin margins," said Tom Martens, director of the Fort Worth Music Office. "Support like this is a lifeline. It keeps these cultural hubs alive so they can continue to launch careers and bring people together." For Tyler Stevens, owner of The Cicada, the grant represents more than just financial relief. "When you're running a small venue, especially one that champions weird, independent art and music, just knowing someone sees the value in what you're doing can be the thing that keeps you going," Stevens said. "Mullen & Mullen and the Fort Worth Music Office showing up for us isn't just about money. It's about validation." Beyond Cash: Operational Support Alongside the $20,000 grant, the Venue Prize includes operational and promotional support, with the JAMBALOO team offering expertise in areas such as marketing, accounting, finance, and landlord negotiations. "While money is obviously important, if we can assist in other ways, we will," said Corey Pond, co-founder of JAMBALOO. "The goal is to help these venues become more sustainable long-term." Looking Ahead: Applications Open 2026 Starting in 2026, independent venues across DFW will be able to apply for the JAMBALOO Venue Prize between February and May, with a winner chosen annually by a panel of judges. The initiative builds on JAMBALOO earlier success with Free Week, a week-long series of 50+ free shows that generated an estimated $3.5 million in local economic impact earlier this year. "JAMBALOO didn't even exist nine months ago, and now it's becoming a year-round mission to uplift our music scene," Morrison added. "We hope this inspires others to support the local venues and artists that truly need it." About JAMBALOO Launched by the Mullen & Mullen Music Project, JAMBALOO is a music initiative created to celebrate and sustain North Texas' independent music scene. From its inaugural Free Week — featuring 50+ free shows across DFW — to the launch of the Venue Prize, JAMBALOO aims to provide meaningful, long-term support to local venues and artists. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jambaloo-launches-20k-annual-venue-prize-to-support-dfw-music-scene-302522472.html SOURCE Mullen & Mullen Law Firm