Meet Caroline Conkle | Bands of DFW Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caroline Conkle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caroline, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I am a huge believer in taking a leap of faith in any direction you feel called to. Risk-taking, for me, has played a large role in my becoming who I am today. I think that, as humans, we avoid taking risks at the expense of being hurt, laughed at, shamed, or disappointed, but I say: when you’re unsure, take the risk. If I hadn’t moved away from home at 18, I would’ve never learned how to live on my own; if I hadn’t coached collegiately, I would have never understood a coach’s perspective; and if I had never backed out of a certain opportunity for the one I knew deep down was meant for me, I wouldn’t be getting a master’s degree at TCU. All of my risks always lead to better outcomes, even if I am skeptical at first. So, I think: take the risk. In life, in love, in your career — do it. I think what is usually waiting for you on the other side of risk is not maybe what you want, but it is always what you need.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Bands of DFW is currently what I like to think of as a passion project. I can only hope that one day it turns into something bigger than it is now, but the goal is always to help bands and artists first. Music has always been something that I feel connects me to humans on a deeper level, and after attending so many live shows, I still feel that way. When the energy is just right at a live show, the whole room changes, the energy changes, and I think you often leave changed. This can be said about any space where any art is showcased. Dallas–Fort Worth is such a large market for inspired creatives, and honestly, I thought my account had already been created just by name alone, so when I found out it hadn’t, I immediately jumped into action.

A little about me personally: I am a master’s student and teaching assistant at TCU, where I am getting my degree in Strategic Communication. I am also the Media Coordinator for a nonprofit based in the North Texas region called Hagar’s Heart. We serve domestic violence victims and help them rediscover their self-worth in the process. In my spare time, I am often caught doing freelance work, reading books, playing my own instruments at home (where do you think the love of music came from, people???), coaching volleyball, or hanging out with my closest friends and family.

When I decided to create Bands of DFW, it came from my passion for people, for connection, and for communication. What helps with all of that is my love for music and something that I could see not only my boyfriend’s band needing, but others just like him — the need for exposure in an ever-growing market. I think what sets me apart is my video style. There are other creatives like Gazebo Unplugged (@gazebo.unplugged) and Music On My Mind Podcast & Interviews (@musiconmymindpod), who also have their own styles and are doing similar content to mine, but Bands of DFW focuses more on the live component. I try my best to have bands/artists either send me live clips, or I get live clips at their shows. I want people to hear the most authentic version of artists, and I think when they are live, you get all the best parts of them. I have been to so many fun shows already, and I cannot wait to see more as this account grows.

Mainly, I want bands, individual artists, and music creatives to feel comfortable approaching me with their art. I try to say this all the time: the work I do with this account isn’t possible without everyone involved, and I am here for everyone. The work musicians do is important, and I would like to support them by either promoting their next song, their next album, or their next show. I want to take a little bit of that load and essentially “share the wealth.”

This is just the beginning for Bands of DFW! I am only on about month 3 of running the account, and it already brings me so much joy. I hope in a year, ten years, and beyond, I still feel the same joy for it that I do now.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh wow! There are so many incredible places you can visit. I would try to hit 3 cities for sure: Dallas, Fort Worth, and their middle point, Arlington. There is live music everywhere you look — from the Stockyards in Fort Worth to the Balcony Club in Dallas, you have options everywhere for music. I try to highlight as many venues and shows as possible. Some of my favorite spots for live local music include The Post, Dr. Jeckyll’s Beer Lab, The Cicada, Platinum Music Complex NRH, Rubber Gloves, and so many more. House of Blues Dallas is also somewhere I have seen shows, as well as the Grand Theatre — both are for bigger-named artists, where the setting is a little more intimate.

There is no shortage of things to do in DFW, ever. The possibilities are honestly endless. So many great restaurants, so many great people, so many great bars, comedy clubs, jazz clubs, theme parks, etc. If you want it, I would say you can find it here. If we are talking food, I love the Stockyards — there is so much variety and often fun country music playing from the bars. If you are a first-time visitor to Texas, the Stockyards give you that true “Texas feel.”

Here are some of my favorite restaurants from the Stockyards and beyond:

1) Paloma Suerte (Fort Worth Stockyards)

2) Second Rodeo Brewing (Fort Worth Stockyards)

3) The Social House (Fort Worth and Arlington)

4) Taste Project (Fort Worth and Arlington)

5) Cane Rosso (Fort Worth and Arlington)

6) The Henry (Dallas)

7) Apothecary (Dallas)

8) Blue Goose (Fort Worth, Grapevine, Grand Prairie)

I could fill up this page with recommendations from all three cities, but I think people will get overwhelmed. If you need to see recommendations for live music, drinks, and sometimes food, follow Bands of DFW!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this to my family. I am the eldest sibling of two phenomenal humans, William and Matthew, and I am the daughter of two amazing humans, Jennifer and Troy. There is no one that gets me quite like these people, and they are the best I know. Their support throughout every stage of my life is why I am who I am. Additionally, I want to shout out my boyfriend, West Meyers, and his brother, Mason Meyers. The entire idea of me crafting Bands of DFW, where I am able to shout bands out, was because I was attending their shows every single weekend. These two are not only some of my favorite people, but also some of my biggest supporters as well. If you want to give them a follow, their band is The Fault Lines (@the.fault.lines). I am a bit biased, but I think they’re pretty great. All my love and more to everyone mentioned here, and everyone else who has helped me on this short journey thus far.

Website: https://linktr.ee/bandsofdfw

Instagram: @bandsofdfw

Linkedin: You can find me on LinkedIn, Caroline Conkle.

Facebook: Bands of DFW or @bandsofdfw

Other: TikTok: @bandsofdfw
Threads: @bandsofdfw
Spotify: Bands of DFW or @bandsofdfw
Email: bandsofdfw@outlook.com

Image Credits
I took all of these photos.