Terri Hendrix is a singer-songwriter, educator, and author with more than 25 years of experience as a nationally touring artist. She has performed extensively as a solo artist and alongside acclaimed Texas musician and producer Lloyd Maines. Hendrix leads songwriting and music workshops for children, adults, and individuals with special needs through schools, camps, and community programs across Texas. She co-wrote the GRAMMY Award-winning instrumental “Lil’ Jack Slade” for the Chicks and has received numerous honors for her artistic and community contributions. Since 2012, she has operated the nonprofit Own Your Own Universe Center for the Creative Arts.

Lloyd Maines is a Grammy Award-winning producer, steel guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist whose influence on Texas music spans more than four decades. Born in Lubbock, Texas, Maines began his recording and producing career in 1974 and has since produced or performed on thousands of albums with many of the most respected artists in country, rock, and Texas music. Renowned for his musicianship and production work, he has been inducted into the Buddy Holly Walk of Fame, the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, and the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Maines holds the record for the most appearances on Austin City Limits.

Terri Hendrix is a singer-songwriter, educator, and author with over 25 years of experience as a nationally touring artist, performing both solo and with other distinguished artists (including legendary Texas musician and producer Lloyd Maines, her studio and frequent stage collaborator for nearly 30 years). She conducts year-round, statewide songwriting and music workshops for children, adults, and individuals with special needs, with experience that includes in-school residencies, camps, and community programs. Hendrix co-wrote the GRAMMY Award-winning instrumental "Lil' Jack Slade" for the Chicks and has received a star on the South TX Music Walk of Fame, the Art of Peace Award from St. Mary's University, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Hardin-Simmons University. Additionally, she was honored with a SMART Award for artistic excellence, inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award for her contributions to the arts in San Marcos. In addition to her own longtime career in the music industry, she has run the nonprofit "Own Your Own Universe" Center for the Creative Arts since its launch in 2012. Her master recordings and archives are housed at the esteemed Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.

Few people are as important to the development of Texas music over the last 40 years as Lloyd Maines. As a Grammy award-winning producer and musician, the Lubbock-born Maines has played a vital role in the creation of some of the Lone Star State's most famous and beloved albums.

Maines began his recording and producing career in 1974. Over the past 48 years, Maines has produced or played on approximately five thousand albums alongside some of the most significant figures in country, rock, and Texas music. In addition to his producing credits, Maines is an A-list steel guitar player and multi-instrumentalist. His work has been heard on countless recordings.

Maines has been inducted into the Buddy Holly Walk of Fame in Lubbock, Texas, individually and as a member of the Maines Brother's Band. Lloyd is also in the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame In 2014. He has made more appearances on the PBS show than anyone else in the history of the program. 

Terri Hendrix

Pen to Paper — A Songwriter's 30-Year Retrospective

Going back to her 1996 debut, Two Dollar Shoes, Terri Hendrix has always been a true original. Recognized by Acoustic Guitar magazine as one of Texas' 20 essential contemporary singer-songwriters, she has garnered a multi-generation global fanbase without ever backing herself into a genre corner she couldn’t escape on a dime, artfully blending folk, pop, country, blues, jazz, and even shades of electronica and spoken word/rap into a unique sound that could only ever be categorized as her own musical universe. Fittingly, this classically trained vocalist and guitar, mandolin, and harmonica player embodies Texas’ independent spirit to a T, having released every album she’s ever made (20 and counting!) on her own Wilory Records label. The common thread heard across that entire catalog is her unerring melodic flair and poetic wit and wisdom as a lyricist, qualities that shine through no matter a song’s mood, be it tuned to heal, humor, haunt, or sometimes all of the above.

And this year, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of her first album, Hendrix is releasing all of her songs under one big banner: "Pen to Paper - A Songwriter's 30-Year Retrospective," a career-spanning collection of nearly every original song she has recorded to date.

The limited-edition five-CD box set and thumb drive will be officially released on August 13th. Due to the scope of this project, the compilation will roll out to all streaming platforms this fall, with new volumes released every few weeks. 

In 2025, Hendrix stepped away from performing for eight months to focus on her health and recalibrate after years of touring while managing chronic medical conditions. She has since returned to the stage with longtime collaborator and producer Lloyd Maines in a reinvigorated duo format. The response has been immediate, with sold-out shows welcoming her return and reaffirming the enduring connection between Hendrix’s songs and the audiences who have followed her work for decades.

Although Hendrix’s go-her-own-way path has never really aligned with the mainstream or the rules of conventional music industry wisdom, her art and career have not gone unrecognized. In addition to numerous fan-voted wins in the San Antonio and Austin Music Awards, her notable accolades include the 2025 Carl and Michael Hearne Legacy Grant by the esteemed Howlin’ Dog Music Group, a star on the South Texas Music Walk of Fame, the Art of Peace Award from Saint Mary’s University, a Distinguished Alumni Award from Hardin-Simmons University, induction into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame, a San Marcos SMART Award for artistic excellence, and a lifetime achievement award at the inaugural San Marcos Music Awards. She also co-wrote the Chicks’ Grammy-winning country instrumental, “Lil’ Jack Slade.” Her master recordings and archives are housed at the prestigious Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.  

Beyond her musical achievements, Hendrix is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities, drawing from her own experiences with Chiari Malformation, Epilepsy, Spasmodic Dysphonia, and Essential Vocal Tremor. She deeply understands the impact of medical conditions on quality of life and believes in the transformative power of the arts to uplift the human spirit. In addition to her public performances, she dedicates herself to helping individuals with special needs write their own songs and stories. She accomplishes this through her involvement with the Texas Commission on the Arts and her nonprofit organization, the OYOU (or “Own Your Own Universe”), which she established in 2012. Hendrix is also currently working on a memoir — The Girl with the Exploding Brain, to be published by Texas A&M Press — chronicling her experiences as a performing songwriter living with epilepsy, but refusing to be defined by it. 

“The first day Terri Hendrix walked through our doors at the emergency shelter, the look on our children’s faces were priceless. They had seen the poster of Terri hanging in my office and they couldn’t believe she was really here. Terri sat right down and began to play music to the children. From then on, the children joined right in and began to make music, sing, and write songs creating priceless memories. When we have children with disabilities,  Terri always finds a way to make them feel included and become one with the music. This experience has opened a whole new world for our children.”

- Nena Meadows, Greater Youth Council

San Marcos, Texas 

"I first met Terri Hendrix about 20 years ago and have since been an enthusiastic follower of her career. Musical talent accounts for but a fraction of her success as an artist and as a businesswoman. She recently proved herself to be a most inspiring teacher and mentor as well in a day-long songwriting workshop for a small group of music majors at the U where she is welcome back anytime."

- Mark Erickson, Director of Recording Arts

Texas State University - School of Music

"As the talent buyer for the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, I have had the privilege of working with Terri Hendrix for over 15 years. I have found her to be responsive, affable, ethical, efficient, professional and extremely talented as a performer. She is an expert in music business matters and I feel that I am a fortunate person to have her in my life as a music business associate and friend. She is a remarkable human being."

- Nancy Coplin, Music Coordinator Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Best Festival Moment – Part of what makes a great festival set is not just playing the music, but playing to the crowd.  Kevin Russell, leader of The Gourds, knows that well, and he and his band were just short of pulling a coup d’ etat on the Bluebonnet stage Saturday night.  They were going to play until they were done playing, time slot be damned.  But this year’s winner was Terri Hendrix.  She was a last minute addition to the Sunday afternoon show in the campground, but by the end of the set she owned Camp.  She played old songs and new songs and even made up an Old Settler’s rap on the spot.  Leaping around the stage, playing harmonica and guitar with long-time conspirator Lloyd Maines, she would have been crowd surfing if there had been a mosh pit.  There was no place else in the world she’d rather be for any reason, and the audience was all aboard that train.  A fabulous ending to a great weekend.

- Shawn Underwood, Twangville 

Awards include:

Michael Hearne Howlin' Dog Music Legacy Grant

Lifetime Achievement Award/San Marcos KZSM Radio

SMARTS Award (Arts Advocacy Award/San Marcos Arts Commission), San Marcos, TX 

Women's Hall of Fame, San Marcos, TX

Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Hardin- Simmons University, Abilene, TX

Art of Peace Award, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX

USC Lyrics Grand Prize Winner: “If I Had a Daughter”

Walk of Fame Texas Gulf Coast 

Country Instrumental Performance: Grammy - Dixie Chicks, “Lil’ Jack Slade” (co-write)

Austin Music Awards (Best Folk Act, Best Singer-Songwriter, Best New Band)

Austin American Statesman Austin Music Critic’s Poll 

Best New Artist

San Antonio Current Music Awards/Best of San Antonio (Best Folk/Acoustic and Best Country Band, Songwriter of the Year, Female Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year)

Festivals include:

Fischer Fest (TX)

Big Bend Music Festival (TX)

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (CA) 

Austin City Limits Music Festival (TX) 

Big Tex Music Fest (2002 State Fair of Texas at the Cotton Bowl; bill headlined by the 
Dixie Chicks) (TX) 
Black Swamp Arts Festival (OH) 
Blue Highways Festival (Netherlands) 
Bridgeton Folk Festival (NJ) 
Celebrate Fairfax Festival (VA) 
2004 Folk Alliance Official Showcase in Conference Center (CA) 
Four Corners Folk Festival (CO) 
Houston International Festival (TX) 
Jubilee Folk Festival (CO) 
Kerrville Folk Festival (TX) 
Little Rock River Festival (AR) 
Mountain Stage Newsong Festival (WV) 
Newport Folk Festival (RI) 
Old Settler's Music Festival (TX) 
Philadelphia Folk Festival (PA) 
Reston Festival (VA) 
Shiner Bocktoberfest (TX) 
SXSW Austin Music Awards (TX) 
Wildflower Arts Festival (TX) 
Little Rock River Festival (AR)
XPN Festival (PA)
Moab Folk Festival (UT)
Independent Music Festival (CO)
Fiesta Arts Festival (TX)
Oyster Ridge Festival (WY)
Tucson Folk Festival (AZ)
Lansing Arts Festival (MI)
Ann Arbor Folk Festival (MI)
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (NY)
Michael Hearne’s Barndance Weekend (NM)
Chicago Food and Arts Festival (IL)
Lubbock Arts Festival (TX)
Great Waters Folk Festival (NH) 
Live Oak Music Festival (CA) 
San Antonio Botanical Garden (TX)
Spring Gulch Music Festival (PA)
Smithsonian Folklife Festival (Washington Mall/Representing Texas Music)

Art Centers/Venues include:

Arts centers, concert series, and venues include:

Paramount Theater (TX) 

Tobin Center (TX)
ACL Live - Moody Center (TX)
Grand Prairie Theater (TX)
Levitt Pavilion (TX) 
Red Dragon Listening Room (LA) 
Phoenix Saloon (TX) 
Aerial Theater (TX) 
The Ark (MI) 
The Birchmere (VA) 
The Bottom Line (NY) 
Cactus Café (TX) 
Mosquito Serenade Concert Series (CA)
Jonesboro Concerts Downtown (TN)
Carbondale Concerts (CO) 
Center for the Arts Amphitheater (CO) 
Concerts at the Crossing (NJ) 
County Line (TX) 
Creighton Theatre (TX) 
CSPS (IA) 
801 Concert Series (AR) 
Fitzgerald's (IL) 
Gruene Hall (TX) 
The Iron Horse (MA) 
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (DC)
Keswick Theater (PA) 
Kuumbwa Jazz Center (CA) 
Makor (NY) 
McCabe’s (CA) 
McCarter Theater (NJ) 
McGonigel's Mucky Duck (TX) 
Millsaps College (MI) 
Mountain Stage (WV) 
Outpost in the Burbs (NJ) 
The Palms (CA) 
Paramount Theater (TX) 
The Point (PA) 
Shady Grove (TX) 
Texas Summer Nights (TX) 
Thrasher Opera House (WI) 
Tin Angel (PA) 
Waxahatchie Theater (TX)
Ramshead (MD)
McNair Studio (TX)
Crescent Elk Auditorium (CA)
The Egg (NY)
Whitaker Center (PA)
Wolf Penn Creek (TX)
Old Town School of Folk Music (IL)
Common Fence Music (RI)
Swallow Hill (CO)
Lansing Folk Music Society (MI)
UU Center (SC)
World Cafe Live (PA)
Woody Hawley Concert Series (WV)
Mountain Stage (WV)
World Cafe Radio (PA)
Anderson Fair (TX)
Uncle Calvins Coffeehouse (TX) 
Freight and Salvage (CA)
Smithsonian Folklife Festival (D.C.)
Santa Fe Bandstand (NM)
Southwest Roots Music (NM)

Conferences Include:

Episcopal Diocese Texas
Association Law Offices America 
National Aviation Conference 
Electric and Utility Conference 
Summer Music Camp of America Conference 
Association of Small Foundations Conference
Bluebonnet Retreat Cancer Survivors 
CASA (Texas Chapter)
Folk Alliance Conference(s) (Panels)

Workshops taught include:

Life's a Song Workshop and Retreat (TX)
Berklee School of Music (MA)
Swallow Hill (CO)
Mountain Stage Newsong Festival (PA) 
Old Number Nine (TX) 
Kerrville Folk Festival (TX)
South Plains College (TX)

Red Dragon (LA)

Lewisville Grand Theater (TX)

Michael Hearne's Barndance Weekend (NM)

Winnsboro Center Performing Arts (TX)

Life's a Song Workshop and Retreat:

Life's a Song is the longest running songwriters Retreat in Texas. Launched in 2000, it continues to sell out every year. This event is planned and hosted by Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines. It’s held annually in Port Aransas, Texas, where up to 18 students come from all over the world for a weekend get away and musical experience. Variations of this workshop have been taught at universities and festivals. Terri’s book, “Cry Till You Laugh - The Part that Ain’t Art,” has an entire section on music business and releasing music independently. 

Workshop includes:

Songwriting, Composition, and Performance Techniques
Production and the Costs of Releasing a Record Independently
E-Commerce and the Digital Revolution

Radio and Streaming 
Maintaining Creativity
Staying Healthy on the Road
The Part That Ain't Art - Music Business

Women's Empowerment Music Camp & Series (ages 21 +)

Kid's Writing Camp (ages 8 +)