Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Buffington.
Angela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has always been a passion of mine, but my role in the industry has never been on the stage—it’s been behind the scenes, helping make the music happen. I firmly believe you can’t have the music side without the business side. Every successful event, festival, concert, or artist opportunity requires planning, contracts, sponsorships, fundraising, marketing, promotion, and countless hours of organization. That’s where I found my purpose.
With a professional background in accounting, I naturally gravitated toward the business and operational side of the music industry. Today, I serve as President of the Trinity River Blues Society, where I work to create opportunities for artists while preserving and promoting blues music throughout North Texas. One of my proudest accomplishments is organizing the annual Trinity River Blues Society Challenge & Festival, which brings together musicians, fans, vendors, sponsors, and community partners from across the region.
The festival includes our Blues Challenge, where artists compete for the opportunity to represent North Texas at the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Seeing local artists earn that opportunity and perform on an international stage is incredibly rewarding because it showcases the tremendous talent we have in North Texas and demonstrates how important the behind-the-scenes work can be in helping artists advance their careers.
Beyond Trinity River Blues Society, I serve on the Board of Directors for Southside Preservation Hall where I oversee development efforts and help support events that strengthen our community through music, arts, and culture. I also serve as Chairperson of Fundraising and Social Media Content for International Women in Blues where I help elevate and promote women artists while developing initiatives that support the organization’s mission worldwide.
In addition to my nonprofit and music industry work, I am a content creator, podcaster, author, speaker, and community influencer. In 2025, I was honored to be voted Best Influencer in the Fort Worth Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. I view that recognition not as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to amplify the voices of artists, nonprofits, community leaders, and causes that deserve attention.
Whether I’m organizing festivals, negotiating contracts, securing sponsorships, developing fundraising campaigns, producing content, or promoting artists, my mission remains the same: to create opportunities, preserve culture, and build stronger communities through music. I may not be the one on stage performing, but I take great pride in helping create the foundation that allows artists and organizations to thrive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that because they see successful events, packed venues, and active organizations, they assume everything comes together easily. The reality is that much of my work happens behind the scenes, where I am constantly navigating challenges such as fundraising, securing sponsorships, managing contracts, promoting events, recruiting volunteers, and balancing limited resources.
Running a nonprofit organization and leading a board of directors comes with its own unique challenges. You’re responsible not only for the vision of the organization, but also for governance, financial oversight, strategic planning, community partnerships, and ensuring that everyone is working toward the same goals. As President of the Trinity River Blues Society, I’ve learned that leadership often means making difficult decisions, solving problems, and staying focused on the mission even when obstacles arise.
As someone who works on the business side of music, I’ve learned that passion alone doesn’t sustain organizations. It takes strong leadership, financial management, relationship building, and a tremendous amount of persistence. There have been times when funding was tight, volunteers were stretched thin, or projects seemed overwhelming, but those moments taught me how to adapt and keep moving forward.
I’ve also experienced personal loss along the way. Most recently, the passing of Ralph C. Jones, one of the founders of the Trinity River Blues Society, was incredibly difficult. Ralph was not only a mentor but also a dear friend. Losing someone who helped shape the organization and my own journey was heartbreaking, but it reinforced my commitment to continuing the work and honoring the legacy he helped build.
Through every challenge, I’ve learned that resilience is one of the most important qualities a leader can have. The struggles have made me stronger, more resourceful, and even more determined to create opportunities for artists, support my community, and preserve the music and culture that mean so much to so many people.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Every day is different, and that’s what I love most about what I do. One day I might be negotiating sponsorships, the next I’m planning a music festival, developing fundraising campaigns, creating social media content, interviewing artists, or working with community leaders to bring a new event to life. I thrive in the space where business, creativity, and community come together.
As President of the Trinity River Blues Society, I’m focused on creating opportunities that make a real impact on artists and the North Texas music community. One of the projects closest to my heart is our annual Trinity River Blues Society Challenge & Festival. What excites me most is watching artists step onto a stage that could ultimately lead them to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Seeing musicians grow, gain confidence, and represent North Texas on an international level is incredibly rewarding.
My passion for building and growing organizations extends beyond the blues community. I serve on the Board of Directors for Southside Preservation Hall, where I oversee development initiatives and help create events that celebrate culture, music, and community. I also serve as Chairperson of Fundraising and Social Media Content for International Women in Blues, where I work to elevate women artists and expand opportunities for them around the world.
I have always been a builder. I love taking an idea and turning it into something meaningful—a successful event, a fundraising campaign, a community partnership, or a platform that helps artists be seen and heard. Whether it’s preserving the legacy of blues music, supporting women in music, mentoring emerging talent, or creating content that tells important stories, I enjoy connecting people and helping great things happen.
I was honored to be voted Best Influencer in Fort Worth Weekly’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, but what means the most to me is using that platform to shine a spotlight on others. My goal has never been to be the center of attention. My goal is to open doors, create opportunities, and leave every organization and community I serve stronger than I found it.
Right now, I’m focused on growing programs, expanding partnerships, developing new fundraising initiatives, and creating even more opportunities for artists throughout North Texas and beyond. The work is challenging, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling because every project has the potential to change someone’s life and strengthen our community through the power of music.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is seeing people and ideas come to life. There is something incredibly rewarding about taking a vision, whether it’s a festival, a fundraiser, a community project, or an opportunity for an artist, and watching it grow from an idea into something that positively impacts others. I love being a builder and a connector. Helping people succeed, opening doors, and creating opportunities brings me genuine joy.
Family is also at the center of my happiness. No matter how busy life gets, spending time with the people I love reminds me of what truly matters. Some of my greatest moments are the simple ones—laughing with family, making memories, and watching my grandsons grow into their own unique personalities and talents.
I’m also a creative at heart. Writing poetry and song lyrics has always been an outlet for me. It allows me to express emotions, tell stories, and capture moments that sometimes can’t be said in everyday conversation. There is something magical about putting feelings into words and watching those words connect with someone else.
And if there’s one thing people should know about me, it’s that I love to dance. Dancing is pure joy for me. It doesn’t matter whether it’s blues, soul, R&B, or just hearing a great song come on unexpectedly. When I dance, I feel free, energized, and completely present in the moment. Music has a way of bringing people together, and dancing is my favorite way to celebrate that connection.
At the end of the day, what makes me happiest isn’t recognition or titles. It’s knowing that I’ve helped someone, inspired someone, created something meaningful, or brought people together. Those are the moments that fill my heart and remind me why I do what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trinityriverblues.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthTexasBlues
