The finalists are officially set for the 2026 Texas Country Music Awards.
The Texas Country Music Association has announced the Top 5 finalists in 25 of the 28 award categories following this year’s nomination period. Final round voting opens July 1 and runs through August 15 at midnight on the Texas Country Music Association website. Winners will be revealed during the 10th annual Texas Country Music Awards on Sunday, November 8, at Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
This year’s show will be hosted by Brandon Rhyder and Erin Wilde of 92.1 Hank FM. Wynn Williams will headline the awards show, with additional performances scheduled from Brandon Rhyder, Kylie Frey, Phil Hamilton, Kristen Kelly, Tristan Roberson, Darrin Morris, and the five finalists for Emerging Artist of the Year.
The weekend celebration also includes free concerts, showcases, the Texas Country Music Showdown, and other events throughout the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Among this year’s special honors, Aaron Watson will receive the 2026 TCMA Trailblazer Award, while Robert Gallagher will be honored with the 2026 TCMA Moe Bandy Icon Award.
Here are all of the finalists.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Aaron Watson
- Josh Ward
- Josh Weathers
- William Beckmann
- William Clark Green
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Billie Jo
- Kensie Coppin
- Kylie Frey
- Payton Howie
- Shelby Stone
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- David Lewis
- Hayden Baker
- Hayden Haddock
- Tristan Roberson
- Wynn Williams
BAND OF THE YEAR
- Bottomland
- Ghosts of Hill Country
- Kin Faux
- Tilluride
- Will Carter Band
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Adysen Malek
- Cole Stephens
- Haydon Wiginton
- Lane Bricker
- Tyler Tillman
AMERICANA ARTIST OR BAND OF THE YEAR
- James Cook
- Jordan Nix
- Max Stalling
- Phil Hamilton
- West Texas Exiles
ALTERNATIVE ARTIST OR BAND OF THE YEAR
- Brayden Stewart
- Creed Fisher
- Conner Stephens
- Midnight River Choir
- Micah Edwards
WESTERN SWING ARTIST OR BAND OF THE YEAR
- Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition
- Jake Hooker & The Outsiders
- Landon Dodd & The Dancehall Drifters
- Pat Matula & The Lone Star Playboys
- The Broken Spokes
TEJANO ARTIST OR BAND OF THE YEAR
- Johnny y Los Texas Plowboys
- Laura Linda
- Sunny Sauceda
- Tejas Brothers
- Tex Mex Hippies
YOUNG ARTIST (18 & UNDER)
- Allie Rae
- Anthony Price
- Colton Ryan
- Payton Riley
- Tasman Sharp
COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- Alive and Well – Hayden Baker
- Barstool Sermons – David Lewis
- Neon Never Fades – Josh Weathers
- One Night in Dallas – Tristan Roberson
- Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo – Josh Ward
COUNTRY SINGLE OF THE YEAR
- “All the Things Cowboys Do” – Tyler Tillman
- “Hey Seniorita” – Kin Faux
- “I Can’t Get Over You” – Tristan Roberson
- “Last Cowboy Standing” – David Adam Byrnes
- “Letting You Go” – Hayden Baker
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Aaron Loy
- Curtis Grimes
- Junior Gordon
- Nikki Heath
- Tiona Campbell
LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR
- Gruene Hall
- Hoot’s Hall
- Rhinestone Saloon
- Rick’s on the Square
- The Kenney Store
TERRESTRIAL RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- KABT 101.7 FM The Patriot
- KFWR 95.9 The Ranch
- KKMJ 95.5 Texas Country
- KNES 99.1 Texas 99
- KRXT 98.5 FM
BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Buzz Russell
- Carey Dean
- Eric Raines
- Kenny Schneebeli
- Shayne Hollinger
INTERNET RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
- IRCountryRadio.com
- KOKEFM.com
- RealTexasRadio.com
- TexRedMusic.com
- TrueTexasRadio.com
GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
- Alex White
- Carlos Gutierrez
- Hayden Baker
- Dillan Dostal
- Matt Childers
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
- BJ Luza
- Emily Leuschner
- Reese Foster
- Zach Gordon
- Zachary Demers
BASSIST OF THE YEAR
- Kale Murray
- Jason Wendt
- Seth Ramirez
- Chris Gonzales
- Ben Hussey
FIDDLER OF THE YEAR
- Bryson Davis
- Emily Anslover
- Jess Meador
- Luke Moody
- Shawn Demuth
STEEL GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
- Burton Lee
- Mike Simms
- Mikey McBride
- Milo Deering
- Wyatt Wilson
KEYBOARD/PIANIST OF THE YEAR
- Art Guillermo
- Ian Reichman
- Jack Phillips
- Joe Walker
- Shane Hall
The remaining categories, including the TCMA Country and Christian Country Songwriter Contest finalists, will be announced later this year.
Plus, Aaron Watson will receive the 2026 TCMA Trailblazer Award, and Robert Gallagher will be honored with the 2026 TCMA Moe Bandy Icon Award.
Final round voting opens July 1 and continues through August 15 at midnight. Fans can vote on the Texas Country Music Association website. Anyone can vote, while TCMA members receive double voting power. Tickets for the 2026 Texas Country Music Awards go on sale July 8. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 8, at Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
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