The University of Texas is launching a new certificate program for performing musicians. The Austin Live Music Academy is designed to help artists learn more about their craft as well as the real business world in which they must operate. The faculty comprises both UT professors and professional musicians.

Upon completion of the two-semester program, graduates will receive the Walker Certificate — named in honor of founding sponsors Susan and Jerry Jeff Walker. The Walkers were inspired to create the Austin Live Music Academy after their son Django attended Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts.

Read more about the Austin Live Music Academy in today's Austin American-Statesman.

One of today's best-named bands is swinging through Texas next week. Lez Zeppelin, an all-female tribute band from New York City, will play Austin on July 3 before heading to Houston and Dallas on successive nights.

The band, which has been profiled in the likes of Spin, the Times of London, and the Boston Globe, is set to release its self-titled debut album July 10.

The name makes me giggle every time I read it. Simply brilliant.

Ray Wylie Hubbard co-wrote the screenplay for The Last Rites of Ransom Pride, "an action-packed Western about a band of badass Texas outlaws." Tiller Russell, who directed his friend's Snake Farm music videos, is the other co-writer and also will direct this film.

Hubbard is already recruiting friends like Jack Ingram, Cody Canada, and Billy Joe Shaver to help with the soundtrack. There's no release date as yet; in fact, there's no film yet. The crew is in town this week to film a teaser starring Oscar winner Gary Busey and to scout locations.

The ACL Fest schedule is now available — Friday, Saturday, Sunday — as are $80 single-day tickets. Three-day passes sold out two weeks ago.

With so many great (and not so great) Texas music sites out there, I thought I'd share my thoughts on a few favorites.

The Fine Line — Essential reading from the fun-loving Cindy Chaffin, who knows more about the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton music scene than just about anyone out there. And she's now based in San Antonio, so we can look forward to a deeper dive into the Alamo City scene starting this summer.

The 9513 — In just 7 short months, the Verchers (Jenna, Brody, and Brady) have established The 9513 as one of the most active and entertaining sites devoted to country music. They cover everything from CD and radio singles reviews to near-daily roundups of news from Nashville and beyond. And just check out the epic ACM Awards live blog and latest monthly mailbag to sample their clever blend of humor and insight.

Americana Roots — Like this site, Americana Roots seems to be slowing down a bit these days. But Greg Geill and a host of contributors still produce some great reviews and podcasts, including Ray Randall's Americana Roots Review.

Katie Key's Key Notes — A companion to the weekly Texas Music Chart, Key Notes is a wonderfully personable look into the Texas country scene. Reading it each Monday feels a little like gossipy coffee-talk with a good friend.

There are many sites that I probably should read more often, like Gorilla vs. Bear, bigDlittleD, Texas Music Times, and the community-centric Galleywinter. But there's only so much time in the day.

If I didn't mention your favorites, that doesn't necessarily mean I dislike them. Maybe I just don't know about them yet. So tell me, what are your favorite Texas music sites?

Robyn Ludwick will begin a series of summer shows tomorrow night in Luckenbach, with additional Hill Country dates sprinkled throughout the summer.

She's been noticeably quiet the last few months, but that's not to say she hasn't been busy. Robyn had a baby girl in March (her second child) and has begun session work a new album.

Her debut, For So Long, is one of my favorite albums of the last 3 years. And with glowing reviews from the U.S. and abroad, I'm clearly not the only one who feels that way.

Check out robynludwick.com for an updated show schedule and more.

Shilah Morrow of Sin City Marketing is moving to Austin. Or, as she puts it in today's email newsletter, she'll soon have "'dual citizenship' in Austin and LA."

This means we can look forward to some great Sin City Social Club events that showcase emerging Americana, roots rock, and rockabilly artists — along the lines of their annual parties at Maria's Taco Xpress during SXSW.

Sign up for Shilah's email newsletter to keep up-to-date on the latest happenings.