How a French holiday turned into a global music day, and which Texas cities are participating

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More than 2,000 cities around the world each year turn into a symphony of free music performances everywhere: street corners, parks, venues, and more.

Make Music Day is a growing holiday of sorts, where people are invited to play music, host performances, or attend free music shows. Twenty-five cities and towns in Texas will participate this year, up from just 15 last year.

It started in France in 1982 when a staffer at the Ministry of Culture, Jack Lang, came up with the idea for a musical holiday...