Speakers
2025 Featured Performers
Dust City Opera
This year’s featured performers, Dust City Opera, will be a completely unique experience for attendees. We can’t wait to bring this Albuquerque based band to Lubbock. Some of their awards include:
- Awarded: Alien Summer, Best Rock Album, 2023 New Mexico Music Awards
- Awarded: Top Rock Group, 2023 New Mexico Entertainment Awards
- Awarded: Gold Artist of the Year, 2019 Modern Musician Awards
- Nominated: Paul Hunton, Top Singer, 2023 New Mexico Entertainment Awards
- Nominated: The Unkind, Best Music Video, 2023 New Mexico Music Awards
- Nominated: Stars, Best Americana Single, 2022 New Mexico Music Awards
- Nominated: Stars, Best Music Video, 2022 New Mexico Music Awards
Workshop Speakers
Kea Beasley
Kea Beasley is the Education Director for the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and new Executive Director for Young Audiences of Lubbock. Originally from Oklahoma City, she attended Oklahoma State University and graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance. Beasley also attended Texas Tech University, earning master’s degrees in Violin Pedagogy and Violin Performance in 2017 and 2020.
Sean Dillon
Sean A Dillon has spent more time than he really should in studios, arenas, sporting venues and other places his mother warned him about. He’s been in radio at KLLL, Mix 100, Rock 101 and 104.9 the Beat for almost 30 years, which is almost unheard of in the world of media. He’s currently the Director of Creative Media and Sports Director for Alpha Media USA West Texas.
As the host of Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon, he has released more than 700 episodes, since 2017, when he offered to do an interview of a new artist no one else had time to take. His name might be the headliner of the show, but, from the beginning, it’s been about getting his guest to share their story for his listeners.
He’s married with two kids and a large and in charge rescued black labrador and currently resides in Lubbock, Texas.
Derrick Ginter
Derrick started his radio career at the Texas Tech student-station KTXT-FM in the mid-1990s. After working as an intern at KOHM-FM (now KTTZ-FM), he was hired on full-time as Operations Director. He worked in commercial radio in the Lubbock market at KFYO-AM, KZII-FM and was News Director at KRBL-FM. In September of 2001, Derrick succeeded Dr. Clive Kinghorn as GM of KOHM-FM. During his tenure there, KOHM became Lubbock’s first Digital HD Radio station and Texas Tech Public Media expanded into the San Angelo market with the acquisition of KNCH-FM. Derrick joined the Texas Tech University College of Media and Communication in late 2011, and coming full-circle, now trains students at KTXT-FM where he started.
Jennifer Martinez
Jennifer Martinez “Chismosa” is the Operations Manager for Ramar Communications Music Stations and the Program Director and Morning Show Host on Lubbock’s Numero Uno Tejano Hit Station, Magic 106.5, whose 20 plus years of broadcasting experience has given her the privilege and honor of playing Tejano music to listeners across the world. Martinez got her radio start, in 1996 as the morning show intern for Ram & Jackie on Magic 93.7 (Now Magic 106.5). In the early 2000’s, Martinez was asked to be part of the morning show and currently host The Magic Morning Show on Magic 106.5. After many years of dedication, passion, commitment, pride and love for radio and music, in 2013 Martinez was promoted to Program Director for KXTQ-FM Magic 106.5. In September of 2017 Martinez was promoted once again to Operations Manager for Ramar Communications music stations, while continuing her role as Program Director for Magic 106.5. Martinez was acknowledged for her talents and contributions by winning the Ramar Communications On-Air Personality of The Year in 2014, Ramar’s Employee of the Year in 2017 and Ramar’s President Award in 2021.
Eric Raines
Eric Raines holds a degree from Texas State University. He is the Program Director for KOKE-FM Austin, Texas. Eric is also an Owner/Partner Austin Radio Network, Longhorn Network
Eric also hosts the Texas Regional Radio Music Awards.
JR Rebel
JR has been in radio for just over 20 years. In markets like Chico, California, Topeka, Kansas, San Angelo, Texas, Valdosta, Georgia, College Station, Texas, and Lubbock. Finding his way to Red Dirt/Texas Country back in 2008. Since then, he’s been not just a voice but an advocate for the music scene we know and love. Becoming a broadcaster artists can rely on to play the best music in the genre, many artists got their first radio play through him. Including artists like Giovannie and The Hired Guns, Kolby Cooper, Koe Wetzel, Treaty Oak Revival and many more. JR came to The Red Dirt Rebel in 2017 to take over programming and music duties. JR and his co-host Roberta can be heard weekday mornings from 6am to 10am on 107.7 The Red Dirt Rebel. In his personal time, you can often find JR at shows, both on stage introducing the artists to the crowd or scoping out new artists. He can also be found at home whenever he can with his girlfriend and their baby daughter Annie.
Jason Robertson
Jason Robertson is a West Texas based singer / songwriter, podcaster, and general contractor. Born and raised in Lubbock, Jason has always had a love and passion for his West Texas roots and the artists who have originated from the Lubbock area. He’s been performing around Lubbock for over a decade as a solo artist, duo, trio and has been in the bands, Via 1585, Country Mojo, and The Hub City Radicals. Although he’s a seasoned performer, his true love is the craft of songwriting. Jason is the creator, co-producer and host of the podcast, Rhythm and Roots in collaboration with the City of Lubbock’s Department of Communications and Marketing. Rhythm and Roots is an organic, long form interview podcast which features a musical performance from its guests alongside the interview. This podcast focuses on West Texas artists and the venues and organizations that support those artists. You can watch all episodes of Rhythm and Roots podcast on the City of Lubbock’s YouTube channel…playlist Rhythm and Roots.
