Tyler Musicians Debate AIs Role in Music Creation

On June 21, 2026, musicians gathered at Texas Music City in Tyler for Make Music Day, a nationwide event that celebrates live performance. The event also became a forum for discussion about the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production.

In the local press, three Tyler artists offered contrasting views on AI. Max Dannenberg, Jacob Dannenberg, and Adam Thorton—members of the band Lenny and the D—stated that they do not use AI in their recordings. Max Dannenberg said, “I think [AI] is a gimmick,” adding that storytelling and human emotion are central to music. The trio’s stance reflects a broader concern among some musicians that AI-generated content may dilute the creative process.

Conversely, LaDarius Daniels, a saxophonist who performed on the Make Music Day stage, described how he employs AI tools to remove vocals from tracks and to master finished songs. “AI helps us, but it shouldn’t just take over 100 %. It should be there to help us with creativity, not just be the full creativity,” Daniels explained. He also noted that, when used correctly, AI can be a “game changer in the music industry.” Daniels’ use of AI aligns with industry trends where neural networks are applied to tasks such as vocal isolation and audio mastering.

Jared Chapman, a veteran instrumentalist with over two decades of experience, expressed reservations about relying on AI. He said, “If I were to use AI, I feel like I’d just be like an imposter… to where I’m just pretending.” Chapman also highlighted environmental concerns, stating, “I hear the cost of how much water is used. I’m like, it’s not worth it.” His comments echo wider discussions about the energy consumption of large AI models.

Max Thorton, another member of Lenny and the D, offered a more tempered view. He remarked, “I don’t think a bubble is popping. I think AI is kind of like in the World’s Fair days right now where the toy part of it is being pushed around… but then it’s just going to fall down to smaller applications.” Thorton's remarks suggest that while AI tools are currently visible, their long‑term impact on music creation remains uncertain.

The debate in Tyler mirrors national conversations about AI’s role in the creative industries. AI technologies are increasingly used for tasks such as generating instrumental tracks from text prompts, removing vocals from existing recordings, and applying automated mastering. While some creators welcome these tools as efficiency boosters, others caution that overreliance on AI could erode the authenticity that audiences value.

At the time of the Make Music Day event, no consensus emerged among the local musicians. Some, like Daniels, see AI as a complementary tool; others, like the members of Lenny and the D and Chapman, view it with skepticism. The discussion underscores the need for clear guidelines and ethical considerations as AI continues to permeate music production workflows.

In the coming months, the Tyler music community will likely continue to observe how AI technologies evolve and whether they become integral to mainstream production or remain niche aids. For now, the conversation remains open, reflecting the broader industry’s cautious engagement with AI.