Brian J. Sprague
About Brian-
Brian Sprague: A Champion of Texas Country Music and Founder of Official Texas Music Chart
Brian Sprague, born in Loveland, Colorado, in July of 1984, has dedicated his life to passion, service, and community. A devoted husband to April Sprague and a proud father to Shawn, Andrew, Alexis, and Leeland, Brian’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and giving back. As a U.S. Army Military Police Veteran, Brian served his country from 2002 to 2008, including a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 06-08). His service was distinguished by numerous honors, including the Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.
After leaving the military, Brian turned to his love of horsemanship as a way to navigate the challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He founded Bent Arrow Horsemanship, where he found peace in training horses and helping others develop their skills. Brian competed in the Extreme Mustang Makeover and the Equine Comeback Challenge, further demonstrating his expertise in the field. Beyond his personal achievements, he was deeply committed to youth development, founding a 4H club and creating the Ashley Doolittle Memorial Horse Show and Rodeo, after a teen Brian had never met was killed by her boyfriend, Brian was at a horse show when the news came over the radio, and a overwhelming need to do something struck him. Brian also co-founded the Ashley Doolittle Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about teenage dating violence and promoting healthy relationships through education and advocacy.
Brian’s leadership in the equestrian community extended to serving on the Boulder County Fair and Rodeo Royalty Committee and being a guest judge for the prestigious Miss Rodeo Colorado pageant. However, a saddle sponsorship opportunity led Brian and his family to Texas, where his journey took a new direction—this time within the vibrant, explosive, and sometimes crazy Texas Country Music scene.
Arriving in Texas, Brian quickly identified a need in the music industry for artists and venues to gain greater exposure, after attending what Brian calls one of the best shows he had ever seen, and later realizing that the venue was almost empty. This insight, and drive led him to establish Texas Country Music Connection, which later evolved into Texas Country Music News. His mission was simple but impactful: to provide free photos and videos to artists, thereby promoting live music and reducing the risk of empty venues across Fort Worth. This effort not only gave artists the tools to succeed but also helped raise the profile of Texas Country Music among fans and venue owners alike.
His venture, txcountrymusic.net, was created with the ambitious goal of cataloging every Texas Country music artist and linking fans to their music and events, as well as one day creating a site that will offer fans an opportunity to purchase tickets directly on the site based on their location. Although the scale of the project was much larger than anticipated, especially for a first time website builder, the site remains active, and Brian continues to shape its future as a valuable resource for artists and fans.
Texas Country Music Media, the parent company Brian launched, has since become a key player in the Texas Country Music industry. Through his photography, Brian has worked with some of the biggest names in the genre, including Bri Bagwell, Josh Abbott, Thomas Michael Riley, and Aaron Watson, to name a few. His media company offers services such as full concert video recording, multitrack concert recordings, website creation, event photo coverage, sound engineering, and more, ensuring that artists can share their music with professional-quality photo, video, and audio content.
Texas Country Music Media also birthed Texas Country Today, a radio station dedicated to playing Texas Country, Americana, and Red Dirt music 24/7. Dubbed “The Heartbeat of Texas,” the station serves as a crucial platform for emerging and established artists alike, promoting their music to fans worldwide. Alongside the station, Brian co-hosts the Texas Country Today Podcast with industry expert Dusty Moats, providing insights into the Texas Country Music scene and spotlighting artists.
Perhaps one of Brian’s most significant contributions to the music industry is the Official Texas Music Chart (OTMC). As the largest weekly digitally monitored chart in the U.S., OTMC tracks over 258 stations, providing an accurate and transparent measure of an artist’s success in the Texas Country Scene. The OTMC has become a go-to resource for artists, labels, and fans, offering reliable data and insights into chart performance. OTMC also features a podcast and the popular Tiny Office Sessions, where artists perform live, stripped-down versions of their songs, bringing fans closer to the music they love.
Brian’s influence within the Texas Country Music Scene cannot be overstated. His work has given countless artists a platform to grow, and his dedication to the community has solidified his reputation as a trusted advocate for Texas Country Music. Whether through his photography, radio work, or digital platforms, Brian continues to shape the future of Texas Country Music, making sure artists are heard and fans remain engaged.
Through every endeavor, Brian has demonstrated a deep commitment to uplifting others—whether it’s in the arena of horsemanship or the world of Texas Country Music. His passion, service, and unwavering support of the arts make him a key figure in the growth and success of the Texas Country Music industry today.
