TM New Editor

Texas Monthly names new interim editor in chief

After news broke that Texas Monthly Editor in Chief Jake Silverstein would be leaving to take over The Grey Lady herself, The New York Times Magazine, industry insiders began to speculate over who would take his position.

Today, via Twitter, Jake Silverstein announced that Brian D. Sweany, currently Texas Monthly's senior executive editor, has been named the magazine's new interim editor.

Congrats @Brian_Sweany on being named interim editor of @TexasMonthly. My beloved magazine couldn't be in more capable hands

— Jake Silverstein (@jakesilverstein) April 2, 2014

Sweany, who began his career at TM in 1994 as an intern, spent part of his career as a senior editor at D Magazine before returning to Texas Monthly. A frequent contributor to Burkablog, Sweany is known for his political coverage and in-depth profiles, including his October 2013 cover story on gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott.

As the new captain of the TM ship, Sweany has spent his morning tweeting his thanks to well wishers, thus continuing the tradition of Texas Monthlyeditors — and former editors — having a very active Twitter presence.

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Truly Talks

Music icon Lionel Richie drafts Austin live talk for new memoir Truly

Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Lionel Richie is coming to Austin to discuss his book, which will have been out for a single day.

In an age where some 20-something-year-old celebrities are turning out memoirs, it might come as a surprise that 75-year-old music legend Lionel Richie had yet to publish his own story. Truly, a no-holds-barred memoir detailing Richie's exciting personal and professional life, is set for publication September 30, 2025, and he's bringing it to Austin the next day.

To celebrate the book release, Richie is touring the country with just a few limited appearances this fall. On October 1, he'll be at Austin's Paramount Theatre for a "conversation with friends," according to a recent press release.

"Richie invites you to join him as he shares his intimate, deep, and candid moments," says the press release. "In his memoir, Truly, Lionel chronicles lessons learned during his unlikely story of remarkable success — his dramatic transformation from painfully shy, 'tragically' late bloomer to world-class entertainer and composer of love songs that have played as the soundtrack of our lives."

Though the "friends" Richie will be chatting with have yet to be announced, we do know that tickets to this BookPeople-sponsored event will include access to a moderated conversation between Richie and a special guest, as well as a copy of the book.

Richie is the man behind such hits as “Truly,” “Hello,” “Endless Love,” “All Night Long,” “Stuck on You,” and dozens of other late-night love songs. During his time in The Commodores in the 70s, he was the voice of now-classic songs like "Three Times a Lady," "Easy," "Still," and "Sail On."

This Grammy, Oscar, and Golden-Globe winning superstar has the remarkable distinction of having written number one songs every year for eleven consecutive years, and is one of only two songwriters in pop history to claim solo credit (music and lyrics) for the most number one Billboard Hot 100 hits.

He's also been romantically linked to celebrities like Diana Ross, and has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Shania Twain, and Willie Nelson; he's the father of millennial icon Nicole Richie; and has been outspoken about his own highs, lows, and struggles with ADHD for years. So a memoir of his life in the spotlight feels like a long-time coming.

Tickets ($36) to "Truly: An Evening of Lionel Richie with Friends" go on sale May 16.

celebrities music books events