JAMBALOO Unveils Nation's Largest Local Music Prize

$20K Music Prize + Grammy-Level Recording to Spotlight DFW Artists

DALLAS and FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- JAMBALOO, the North Texas music initiative that began as a small concert series launched by a Dallas law firm, today announced the creation of the JAMBALOO Music Prize, the largest local independent album award in the United States. The annual award includes a $20,000 cash prize, the opportunity for the winner to record a professionally produced single with four-time Grammy award winning engineer / producer Tre Nagella, owner of Luminous Sound – and much more. The prize will honor the best full-length album released in 2025 by a solo artist or band from the Greater Dallas–Fort Worth area.

The Music Prize will be awarded Saturday June 6, 2026, with a free concert at the historic Longhorn Ballroom with the 3 finalists anticipated to perform prior to a national headliner, to be  announced during the 2026 JAMBALOO Festival in February. The winner, revealed live on stage, will also go on to record a single with Nagella at Luminous Sound. Additional prize support is being provided by Josey Records, KXT 91.7, Prekindle and Do214.

Prize Details

• $20,000 Cash Prize
• JAMBALOO Music Prize Trophy
• Luminous Sound, Tre Nagella Recording Opportunity: Grand prize winner to receive studio time at Luminous Sound to record a single - includes an initial consultation and mixing by four-time Grammy Award winner, Tre Nagella
• KXT 91.7: Artist's Song (TBD) aired on Homegrown Music Show & Homegrown Bites, artist to record a KXT Live session for distribution on KXT platforms as well as the NPR Live Sessions page (must meet FCC standards)
• Josey Records Placement: The largest record store in the nation will place the record in every DFW store and provide prime display space for a month, as well as offering an in-store appearance
• Prekindle: $5K+ Promo Package for the winner
• Do214: $5K+ Promo Package for the winner
• Additional Promotional Support: Texas Music Office, Dallas Music Office, Hear Fort Worth
• Custom Designed Single Artwork: By Conor Dardis, JAMBALOO/Thirst & Co.
• Finalists perform live at the Prize Concert before a national headliner

Contest Details

• Judging Panel: The 15 judges will remain anonymous, revealed upon completion of judging. The impressive group includes nationally recognized artists, multiple Grammy winners, local media along with industry and civic leaders.
• Process: Submissions open immediately, 10 Semi-Finalists will be selected exclusively by the Judging Panel and announced Tuesday February 10th. The winner will be selected from the 10 Semi-Finalists based on a combination of Judging Panel results (60%) and online public voting (40%)
• Eligibility: Albums of at least 7 tracks / 30+ minutes, released between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025, 50%+ of band (100% if solo) must call 11-County DFW Metro area home
• No submission fee; entries now open at jambaloo.live/prizesubmission

In only one year, JAMBALOO has grown from a 12-show experiment into a year-round movement credited with playing a significant role in the revitalization of the Dallas–Fort Worth music scene. The initiative has already staged a free weeklong festival featuring more than 100 artists, awarded a $20,000 Venue Prize that saved a Fort Worth stage, and earned the 2025 Obelisk Award for Best New Arts Initiative, awarded by the Business Council for the Arts.

"With the JAMBALOO Music Prize, we're not just giving $20,000 — we're investing in a DFW artist's future by pairing local talent with Grammy-level production and highly respected industry support from an amazing group of partners," said Shane Mullen, Managing Attorney at Mullen & Mullen and JAMBALOO Co-Founder.

"Dallas–Fort Worth is proving that communities don't have to wait for big labels or giant corporations. We can create platforms to lift artists, create cultural opportunities and remove financial barriers - as a local community," added JAMBALOO Co-Founder Corey Pond.

About JAMBALOO

JAMBALOO was launched in 2024 by Mullen & Mullen Injury Law Firm and grassroots allies. In just one year, it has grown from a local concert series into one of the nation's most ambitious community music initiatives. From the original 12-show Mullen & Mullen Music Project, to the JAMBALOO Festival, to the Venue Prize, and now the Music Prize, JAMBALOO is proving that investing in local talent pays off for artists, venues, and cities alike.

The next JAMBALOO Festival is scheduled for February 7–14, 2026, with expanded venues, sponsors, and programming.

For more information, visit www.jambaloo.live.

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SOURCE Mullen & Mullen Law Firm