For Texas Country Music fans from all over, the Fort Worth Stockyards was the place to be on Sunday September 22 as the Texas Country Music Association presented the star studded and spectacular 2019 Texas Country Music Awards at Billy Bob’s Texas.
This was the event’s second year in Fort Worth according to Linda Wilson, President and Founder of TCMA and once again proved why the Texas Country Music industry has exploded. The high energy event included a host of Texas artists spanning decades of Country music such as TCMA Spokesperson Brandon Rhyder who also co-hosted the event for the 3rd year in a row with Jenn Ford, along with Texas Artists Cory Morrow, Randall King, Holly Tucker, Zane Williams, Bri Bagwell, Andrew Sevener and Curtis Grimes.
Top fan and industry-voted Awards were presented in 24 categories related to Texas Country Music and Christian Country Music.
The 2019 Texas Country Music Awards was brought to you once again by Title Sponsor, The Hotel Drover at the Fort Worth Stockyards, an Autograph Collection Hotel opening on Mule Alley in 2020. A destination boutique hotel in the tradition of the great ranches of Texas, the new Hotel Drover will offer rustic comfort and the truly special brand of genuine hospitality only Texas can deliver.
Radio Stations 95.9 THE RANCH and 92.1 HANK-FM in Fort Worth were the event’s media sponsor. Other sponsors included Love and War in Texas, American Hat Company, Audio Realm Studios, Texas Artist Will Carter, Gruene Road Cases, Justin Boots, Cinch Jeans, The Rustic, OnPoint Roofing, Firestone & Robertson Distillery TX Whiskey, Schoepf’s BBQ, NRS (National Roper’s Supply), Vibe9 Monitors, Yankin’ Lips Fishing Co and more.
The Texas Country Music Awards was produced for the 3nd year in a row by well-known record producer Chad Mauldin of Mauldin Productions from Gilmer TX, along with 2nd year Executive Director Chris Romain of Jett Danger Entertainment and Split Window Studios.
The event kicked off with the Red-Carpet interviews at 3:00pm and hosted by TCMA’s Kris Young assisted by Erin Wilde of 92.1 Hank FM. Musician and Songwriter of the Year awards took place during the pre-show at 4:00pm and included performances by 2018 Country Band of the Year Darrin Morris Band, 2018 Artist Scholarship Recipient Monty Dawson Band, 2019 Christian Songwriter of the Year Justin Todd Herod and 2019 Country Songwriter of the Year Bryan Martin.
The main Awards ceremony began at 6:00pm with greetings from TCMA Founders, President and Executive Vice President Linda and Richard Wilson, followed by a video welcome from Mr. Red Steagall. The opening prayer was offered by Christian Country Artist and Christian Country Songwriter award winner Justin Todd Herod, and a video was sent from Neal McCoy leading the Pledge of Allegiance. TCMA’s Richard Wilson sang the National Anthem.
TCMA President Linda Wilson presented the 2019 Artist Scholarship to upcoming artist Daniel Sampley and dedicated the award to seven people who passed that touched the Texas Country Music industry: Texas Country Music Artist Kylie Rae Harris, American Hat Company’s Keith Maddox, Guitarist with Nickle Draft David Broadway, Country Artist Danny Leon Miller, Guitarist Wes Day, Drummer Russell Wilson and Christian Country singer/songwriter Gunner Carr.
Assisting with Trophy presentations were not only performers and finalists, but also Joe Kelly with CDX Traction TX Nashville, Texas State Representative Bill Zedler and Jenna Kinard, Executive Chef of the Hotel Drover located in the Fort Worth Stockyards and its new signature restaurant and bar, 97 West. Handling trophies and directing participants on stage were coordinator Jada Young, Fitness Trainer Calli Bowley and Miss Paige Young. “There were literally over 100 volunteers and TCMA Members to help put this amazing event together and we could not have done it without each and every one.” says Linda Wilson.
Many of the top Award categories included not only the designation and trophy but special gifts provided by event sponsors. Entertainer of the Year, Male and Female Vocalist of the Year categories received a trip to Las Vegas for NFR with Gold Buckle seating and a stay at the Silverton Casino Hotel compliments of Title Sponsor the Hotel Drover at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Mr. Gary P. Nunn was presented with a certificate for a custom hat from American Hat Company; the Emerging New Artist was presented a set of Vibe9 Monitors valuing at $1900; Young Artist (16 and under) was presented a single recording session by Chad Mauldin of Mauldin Productions and other winners received a pair of boots from Justin Boots, Jeans from Cinch Jeans, a custom capo from Kyser Musical Products, t-shirts and koozies from Yankin’ Lips Fishing Company.All finalists received swag bags filled with gift items and certificates from many sponsors.
Along with the 24 Awards presented at the 2019 Texas Country Music Awards, TCMA’s prestigious “Trailblazer Award” was presented to Mr. Gary P Nunn for his long-standing career and the unprecedented leadership and success he’s obtained Texas Country Music. “TCMA is very excited and pleased to have presented Mr. Gary P. Nunn the 2019 Trailblazer Award as part of the Awards Ceremony. He certainly ‘blazed the trail’ for others and he’s very deserving to be honored.” says Linda Wilson, President and Founder of the Texas Country Music Association. Presenting the Award were Stockyards developer, Craig Cavileer and Operations Manager for Love and War in Texas’ Cathi Maxwell.
The 2019 Texas Country Music Awards was covered by media from all over Texas as well as other states. The event was filmed and by professional videographer Delano Bryant and his team. Footage will be edited for television to air on the Texas Country Network, ROKU and other broadcast outlets.
The five Award Finalists in each of the categories came as a result of nominations and final round voting that took place between May and July of 2019.
The Award categories and the respective winners are:
Entertainer Of The Year:
Curtis Grimes
Male Artist of the Year:
Zane Williams
Female Artist of the Year:
Holly Tucker
Country Band of the Year:
Saints Eleven
Americana/Other Artist of the Year:
Jake Hooker & The Outsiders
Young Artist (16 & Under):
Riley Thompson
Emerging New Artist:
Tanner Sparks
Country Album Of The Year:
“More Than I Deserve”, Josh Ward
Country Single of the Year:
“Mirror Mirror”, Randall King
Terrestrial Radio Station of the Year:
98.5 and 99.3 KOKE FM Austin
Broadcast Personality Of The Year:
Charlie O, 104.1 The Ranch Tyler
Internet Radio Station of the Year:
TroubadourCountryRadio.com
Live Music Venue of the Year:
Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth
Christian Country Artist of the Year:
Justin Todd Herod
Christian Country Single Of The Year:
“Had A Thing”, Curtis Grimes
Bassist of the Year:
Cody Wood
Fiddler of the Year:
David Varnado
Guitarist of the Year:
Tyler Smith
Keyboard/Pianist of the Year:
Travis Bishop
Steel Guitarist of the Year:
Bobby “Texas” Gardner
Drummer of the Year:
Zach Stover
TCMA Artist Scholarship
Daniel Sampley
TCMA Texas Country Music Showdown Grand Champion:
Jenn Ford and the Wide Eyed Devils
Trailblazer Award:
Mr. Gary P. Nunn
Country Songwriter of the Year:
Bryan Martin for “Blending Memories and Whiskey”
Christian Country Songwriter of the Year:
Justin Todd Herod for “Pouring Out My Heart”
