Texas Christian University has a special relationship with its hometown and with its alumni. Like a good old-fashioned friendship, they will all come together this month at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, when Gage Gardiner ’25 performs at the event on none other than TCU Day at the Rodeo.

FWSSR and TCU have both been a part of Fort Worth for well over a century. Gardiner, not quite as long, but he is ready to make his mark.

Raised in a rural Kansas town of just 800 people, the singer-songwriter grew up surrounded by ranching, rodeo culture and strong core values. When his family moved to Texas during his senior year of high school, he discovered opportunity, connection and a community that encouraged him to think beyond the status quo.

“Kansas raised me, but Texas made me who I am,” Gardiner said.

That sense of belonging ultimately led him to TCU, where he transferred after spending his freshman year at Penn State and realizing it was not the right fit. From the moment he arrived in Fort Worth, Gardiner said he felt welcomed, not just academically but personally.

“TCU doesn’t just feel like a school you attend,” said the Bob Schieffer College of Communication graduate. “It feels like a place you belong.”

With a passion to pursue country music, Gardiner said his career took shape through the unwavering support of fellow students. With no industry connections, he landed his first gig at Rhinestone Saloon, a small music and dance venue located in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. For his first show, Gardiner posted flyers across campus. When the night arrived, fellow Horned Frogs, including classmates, fraternity brothers and friends, filled the crowd.

“The people who showed up for me were TCU students,” he said. “That speaks volumes about the culture here. Students want to see each other succeed.”

He continued building that connection through campus events like Tuesday Tunes, where informal performances on the Campus Commons helped him grow his confidence and find his audience.

Gardiner recently returned from performing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Cowboy Corral in Las Vegas and is now set to perform during TCU Day at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, a moment he intentionally pursued. Originally booked for another date, he requested the opportunity to play for his alma mater instead.

“I wanted to play for the people who were there from the very beginning,” he said. “This place is home.”

Gardiner will perform on the Michelob Ultra Roadhouse Stage on Jan. 29. Visit the TCU calendar for more details on TCU Day at the Rodeo, and read more about Gardiner from Schieffer College.

-Rian Schultz