2018 Texas Country Music Awards Nominations Now Open
FORT WORTH, TX – The Texas Country Music Association, Inc. announced today that the 2018 Texas Country Music Awards Nomination ballots have been released online at www.texascountrymusic.org beginning May 1. The last day to make nominations will be June 22, at which time he TCMA Awards Committee will verify the nominations and determine the top 5 finalists in each category. Those top 5 finalists will be announced and the final round voting will begin July 1. Voting will end August 5 and the winner in each category will be announced at the 2018 Texas Country Music Awards ceremony on Monday, October 15.
The 2018 Texas Country Music Awards, which will be held at the historic Will Rogers Auditorium in Fort Worth onMonday, October 15, include 26 award categories related to the Texas Country Music industry. Linda Wilson, Founder and President of TCMA says, “We’re very excited about the Nomination and Voting process. This is the part where fans have their say. It’s always so good to see those names come through on the nomination forms! We’re so proud for them all and appreciate the fans taking part.”
The twenty-six awards that will be presented on October 15 are:
Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Christian Country Artist of the Year, Cajun Country Artist of the Year, Young Artist of the Year (16 and under), Emerging New Artist of the Year, Country Album of the Year, Country Single of the Year, Christian Country Single of the Year, Radio Station of the Year, Broadcast Personality of the Year (Radio or Television – Internet or Terrestrial), Internet Radio Station of the Year, Live Music Venue of the Year, Guitarist of the Year, Keyboard Pianist of the Year, Fiddler of the Year, Bassist of the Year, Steel Guitarist of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Country Songwriter of the Year, Christian Country Songwriter of the Year, Memorial Award – Volunteer of the Year (honoring those who have passed in the prior year) and TCMA’s prestigious Trailblazer Award which honors a Texas Country Music artist who has been influential in the industry. “We will be announcing the recipient of the Trailblazer Award closer to the actual Awards.” Says Wilson. The 2017 Trailblazer Award was presented to 2016-2017 TCMA Spokesperson, Mark Chesnutt.
Texas Country Music artist Brandon Rhyder is TCMA’s Spokesperson for 2018 forward and will again Host and perform at the ceremony. Co-hosting the Awards along with Rhyder is well known Texas Country Music artist and entertainer Jenn Ford. Live performances and awards presenters from several decades of Country music artists and industry influences will include not only Brandon Rhyder and Jenn Ford, but also Curtis Grimes, Doug Stone, Brian Black, Doug Supernaw, Red Steagall, Bri Bagwell, Jo-el Sonnier and Christian Country Artist Del Way. Also performing will be a few of last year’s winners: Cody Wayne – 2017 Entertainer, Male Vocalist and Vocal Group of the Year; Holly Tucker – 2017 Female Vocalist of the Year; and Justin Todd Herod – 2017 Christian Country Artist of the Year. Comedian and Festus impersonator Mark Staggs will also be on hand again for 2018 so the laughs will be abundant. Several more performers and Award presenters will be announced later as their schedules are confirmed. Popular Record Producer Chad Mauldin with Mauldin Productions will produce the Awards again for 2018. There are many other high profile personalities who will participate including Cameran Nelson, Texas Music Office Director Brendan Anthony, Top Rodeo Cowboys Tuf Cooper and Trevor Brazile to name just a few.
“TCMA loves to promote not only Country Music in Texas, but also the Country and Rodeo lifestyle, so we’ve invited the top two Rodeo Cowboys in the Country, Tuf Cooper and Trevor Brazile to participate in the Awards ceremony.” says Wilson. She goes on, “Fort Worth is the perfect location for the 2018 Texas Country Music Awards, and we’re very honored to be working together with the City and convention and visitors’ bureau to bring the event to the area. There will be several special appearances by Texas Country Music artists on TCMA Awards weekend (October 12 – 15) in Fort Worth and the DFW area, and announcements will be made as they are available.
Tickets will go on sale for the 2018 Texas Country Music Awards beginning mid to late June and will be handled bywww.outhousetickets.com. The exact date will be announced via the TCMA facebook page atwww.facebook.com/
The Awards show will be professionally filmed, edited and produced on-site by Mark Perez of Epic Motion Pictures, and will also be edited to broadcast on several television outlets in the future. Broadcast and internet radio stations will also record and live stream the event.
The TCMA’s genres cover primarily Country Music and Christian Country Music. “We have members not only from Texas but all over the United States and around the world.” says TCMA Executive Vice President Richard Wilson – a musician (drummer) and vocalist himself. “The Texas Country Music Association’s growing membership as well as the directors and advisory council members continually work together to assist, promote and support the industry and its artists by creating opportunities, marketing and promotion of its Members and the Texas Country Music industry as a whole.” Linda Wilson adds, “TCMA has become an energizing and influential force in the industry and together with the artists, musicians, businesses and industry professionals, we’re getting bigger and stronger every day.”
Richard Wilson established the TCMA Band for special performances such as the Texas Country Music Awards. Band members include some of the top musicians in not only Texas, but the entire US. They are Freddie Pate (lead guitar), Cody Wood (bass), Laine Thibodeaux (steel guitar), Marty Erwin (keys), David Varnado (fiddle) and Wilson himself.
According to Linda Wilson, TCMA has many plans and projects on the horizon all to benefit the artists, musicians, fans and all of those behind the scenes that make it happen. A big project in the wings for 2019 is TCMA Fest, a multi-day festival showcasing newcomers as well as providing top-notch entertainment for the fans. Additional projects under development are Texas Country Music Radio, Texas Country Music Television, the Texas Country Music Showdown vocal competition and their own music chart, Texas Country Music Chart.
To find out more about local events and amenities, go to www.fortworth.com. Linda Wilson added, “If you will be traveling in to Fort Worth for the Texas Country Music Awards, you’ll want to get your tickets as soon as they are available and book your hotel rooms very early. We appreciate Courtyard by Marriott near the Stockyards, who is the official hotel of the Awards. So far, sponsors include Justin Boots, Firestone & Robertson Distilling TX Whiskey, Cinch Jeans, Texas Silver Rush, Sheree Cosmetics and On-Point Roofing. Sponsorship and souvenir program ad opportunities are available on the website at www.texascountrymusic.org.
For more information about the Texas Country Music Association, it’s mission, goals and how to join, visitwww.texascountrymusic.org. TCMA Members receive advance notice of all events and activities, special voting rights and discounted event tickets.