FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

FINALISTS FOR THE 2025 TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Voting Opens July 1, Tickets On Sale Now

 

28 Highly Honored Texas Country Music Awards To Be Presented November 9

At Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards

 

FORT WORTH, TX (June 30, 2025) -- The Texas Country Music Association announced today the Top 5 Finalists in 25 of the 28 categories for the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards as a result of nominations that were placed between May 1 and June 15, 2025. The 2025 TCMA Songwriter Contest's top 10 Finalists in the Country and Christian Country categories will be announced by September 15.

 

Final Round Voting begins July 1 and ends August 15 at midnight on the TCMA website at www.texascountrymusic.org. The winners will be announced at the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards which will take place on Sunday, November 9^th in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas. Many top industry professionals and artists will be on hand to announce the winners and present the Awards to the recipients, along with thousands of industry stakeholders and fans.

 

The 2025 Texas Country Music Awards is brought to you by title sponsors Stockyards Heritage Development Co., Hotel Drover, Cowtown Coliseum, Stockyards Hotel, Hyatt Place, Mule Alley, and Stockyards Station, along with Pendleton Whisky and Shiner Bock, and is presented by Texas Country Music Association. The local Fort Worth area media sponsor for 2025 is 95.9 KFWR The Ranch.

 

The Awards ceremony will be hosted once again by TCMA Spokesperson and Texas Country Artist, Brandon Rhyder, who will also perform at the event. Co-hosting the Awards ceremony is Erin Wilde, an on-air personality with KTFW 92.1 Hank FM. 

 

Headlining the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards is Kevin Fowler and his band.  Kevin will also receive the coveted TCMA Trailblazer Award.  There will also be performances by Robert Earl Keen, who will receive the TCMA Moe Bandy ICON Award, Brandon Rhyder, Billie Jo Jones, Pug Johnson, Scotty Alexander, Hayden Baker, and others, including the 5 finalists in the Emerging Artist of the Year Award category.

 

“Texas is so blessed to have such unique and spectacular talent,” says Linda Wilson, President and Founder of the Texas Country Music Association. “There were literally thousands of nominees – each one gifted and unique -- and we at TCMA are very honored to be able to work on ALL their behalf on an ongoing basis.”

 

The Texas Country Music Awards are presented by the Texas Country Music Association, which is the only trade organization and primary advocate for the Texas Country Music Industry.  The Texas Country Music Awards have been recognized as the only one of its kind by the State of Texas.  The Texas Country Music Association is by far the largest and most influential, and energizing organization for Texas Country Music. “We work daily and diligently on behalf of everyone in the industry through the many established ongoing programs we’ve developed for the good of our members and the industry as a whole.  We have more on the horizon and are always working on the next project. The Texas Country Music Awards is a blast – like a huge annual family reunion, and you do not want to miss it!” says Wilson.

 

Tickets to the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards are on sale now and are available at www.billybobstexas.comor through a link on www.texascountrymusic.org.  TCMA Executive Vice President, Richard Wilson, states, “The Texas Country Music Awards gets bigger and better every year. Last year’s Awards at Billy Bob’s was a milestone, and every year we wonder how we’ll top it, but somehow, we do thanks to all the industry support and our TCMA Members, Ambassadors, Volunteers, and Sponsors. Everyone I’ve talked to is excited to get together again on November 9 to celebrate the Awards’ 9^th year.”

 

In addition to the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards on November 9^th, Stockyards Heritage Development hosts TCMA’s “Texas Country Music Weekend” in the Stockyards beginning Friday, November 8 with the Texas Country Showcase acoustic performances from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, followed by a free concert with hot Texas Country artist Grant Gilbert.  Saturday, November 8^th the Stockyards and TCMA present the Texas Country Music Showdown from 11:00am until 6:00pm. The Showdown is an 8-band event with performers competing for cash prizes offered by Stockyards Heritage, who also provide the judges. After the Showdown will be a Free Country Concert with Texas Country artist, the Monty Dawson Band.

 

The official TCMA Pre-Party will also be held on November 8^th at Rhinestone Saloon after the Grant Gilbert Concert with headliner Donice Morace and opener Payton Riley.   Payton Riley will also host a Young Artists Meet and Greet event with an open mic at Rhinestone Saloon from 2:00pm-5:00pm that day.

 

On Sunday, November 9^th, there will be Free Christian Country Sunday concert with multi-year Christian Country Artist of the Year Curtis Grimes, along with Aaron Loy, Alf Evans, Schaefer Kay, and Nick Zamora .  The Sunday event is at high noon.

 

All Texas Country Music Weekend Events will take place on the main stage at the Stockyards Exchange building and are free to the public with the exception of the Texas Country Music Awards show on Sunday, November 9, which begins at 2:00pm when Billy Bob’s opens the VIP and main entrances.  Tickets can be purchased at www.billybobstexas.com.  In 2024, Texas Country Music Weekend drew 150,000 visitors to the Stockyards and an even greater number is expected for 2025.

 

On November 9^th, Red Carpet interviews will begin as soon as the doors open at Billy Bob’s and will once again be hosted by TCMA Vice President Kris Young, 35-year Radio Veteran and Heart of Texas Radio owner and host Jim Nash, and Texas Toast Podcast and Texas Toast Radio owner and host Helen Elshick.

 

The Texas Country Music Awards Executive Producer is TCMA Vice President Monty Dawson, along with Executive Producer from Billy Bob’s, John Zaskoda.  The Awards’ Executive Director for the 9^th year is record producer Chad Mauldin.   VP Monty Dawson says, “There’s no better team to put this event together for us than JZ and his production crew at Billy Bob’s.  They are truly top notch and the best in the business.”

 

TCMA Ambassador and Special Event Host, Brad Bowman, will be on hand once again to host the Awards’ Pre-Show at 5:00pm.  Brad will present the Musician and Songwriter Awards and introduce the Country and Christian Country Songwriter winners for a performance, as well as a full band performance by Pug Johnson.  The official Awards Ceremony will begin at 6:00 pm with an opening welcome, opening prayer by Kris Young, the National Anthem by Jenn Ford, and the announcement of the 2025 Texas Country Music Showdown winners.

 

Sponsoring the “Winners Circle Interviews” is Texas Country Network with Zakk United and Drew Mitchell of Drew Mitchell Media.  Zakk and Drew will interview the award winners when they exit the stage to capture their excitement and air on Texas Country Network, ROKU, FireTV and AppleTV. 

 

The official TCMA Awards “after-party,” sponsored by Stockyards Heritage and its entities, will be held again in the Stockman’s Club inside Stockyards Station.  There will be several artists performing to end the night.

 

There are still several prime sponsorship opportunities available at https://texascountrymusicassociation.org/2025sponsor  and Souvenir Program Advertising information can be found at https://texascountrymusicassociation.org/2025souvenirprogram or by emailing us at tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org or barry@texascountrymusic.org.

 

The 2025 Texas Country Music Awards will be covered by media from all over Texas and filmed for future broadcast on Texas Country Network and its ROKU, FireTV, and Apple TV channels.  Several radio stations and podcasts will also be on hand to do artist interviews and highlight the festivities.

 

The 2025 Texas Country Music Awards Award Categories and the Top 5 Finalists are (in no particular order):

 

Entertainer Of The Year:

JAKE WORTHINGTON

JOSH WEATHERS

CHAD COOKE BAND

BRI BAGWELL

BRAXTON KEITH

 

Female Artist of the Year:

KENSIE COPPIN

KYLIE FREY

SUMMER DEAN

SUSAN HICKMAN

BILLIE JO JONES

 

Male Artist of the Year:

GRANT GILBERT

BUBBA WESTLY

JOSH WEATHERS

JON WOLFE

JOSH WARD

 

Band of the Year:

CHASE THE NIGHT

HOWARD COUNTY

JON KOTT BAND

HUSER BROTHERS

DELLA ROSE

 

Emerging Artist of the Year:

DAVID LEWIS

COLBY LEE SWIFT

CALEB  YOUNG

COPPERHEAD JONES

TRISTAN ROBERSON

 

Americana Artist or Band of the Year

DALLAS BURROW

THE DAMN QUAILS

PUG JOHNSON

LOWDOWN DRIFTERS

BLUE WATER HIGHWAY

 

Alternative Artist or Band of the Year (Country Blues, Country Rock, Outlaw & Other)

SETH JAMES

ZAK WEBB

SILVERADA

ZAC WILKERSON

CREED FISHER

 

Western Swing Artist or Band Western Swing Artist or Band of the Year:

BILLY MATA & THE TEXAS TRADITION

JAKE PENROD

THE BROKEN SPOKES

TWO TONS OF STEEL

JAKE HOOKER & THE OUTSIDERS

 

Tejano Artist or Band of the Year:

TEXAS LATINO MUSICA

KEITH NIETO

RAM HERRERA

SUNNY SAUCEDA

NUEVO REGIMEN

 

Country Album Of The Year (2024-2025):

BARELY GETTIN’ BY (Hayden Baker)

WE’RE ALL HERE (Ben McPeak)

FLYIN’ (Wade Bowen)

LOVE YOU, GOODNIGHT (Kolby Cooper)

REAL SIMPLE COUNTRY (Jesse Raub Jr)

 

Country Single of the Year (2024-2025):

WHO’S TEQUILA ARE YOU DRINKIN’ (Billie Jo Jones)

DAMN BABY (Bubba Westly)

WEST OF FORT WORTH (Grant Gilbert)

IT AIN’T THE WHISKEY (Jake Worthington)

TEXAS IN ME (Kensie Coppin)

 

Christian Country Artist of the Year:

AARON LOY

HOLLY TUCKER

CURTIS GRIMES

SCOTT SEAN WHITE

JUNIOR GORDON

 

***Special Note About the Young Artist Finalists:  Payton Riley placed in the top 5 Finalists but has graciously deferred her position in the top 5 to the next Finalist in line since she won in 2023 and 2024. ***

 

Young Artist (18 & Under):

ANTHONY PRICE

TASMAN SHARP

ELLE TOWNLEY

DAX DAVIS

HADLIE JO

 

Terrestrial Radio Station of the Year:

KRMX SHOOTER 104.9 FM (Waco)

KNES TEXAS 99 99.1 FM (Fairfield)

KRXT 98.5 FM (Rockdale/Taylor)

KVMK MAVERICK 100.9 FM (College Station)

KXOX 96.7 FM (Sweetwater)

 

Broadcast Personality Of The Year:

BUZZ RUSSELL – KNES 99.1 FM Texas 99 (Fairfield)

MELISSA FOWLER – KYOX 94.3 FM The Ox (Gorman)

ZAKK UNITED – KILT 100.3 FM The Bull “Sounds Like Texas” (Houston)

MIKE CROW – KRMX 104.9 FM Shooter (Waco)

KEVIN MCCOY – KSTV Mighty 93.1 FM (Stephenville)

 

Internet Radio Station of the Year:

REALTEXASRADIO.COM (Michael White)

PURECOUNTRY100.COM (Kenny Schneebeli)

TEXASTOASTRADIO.COM (Helen Elshick)

THEHEARTOFTEXASRADIO.COM (Jim Nash)

TEXASBOUNDRADIO.COM (Justin Case)

 

Live Music Venue of the Year:

GRUENE HALL (Gruene)

RHINESTONE SALOON (Fort Worth)

MADAM PEARL’S SALOON (Fort Worth)

THE RUSTIC (Houston/Dallas)

SCHOEPF’S BBQ (Belton)

 

Guitarist of the Year:

DAVIS DRAUGHON (Grant Gilbert)

SCOTTY ALEXANDER (Scotty Alexander)

HAYDEN BAKER (Hayden Baker)

JAKE LANE (Copperhead Jones)

GAGE MCNEELY (Hudson Westbrook)

 

Drummer of the Year:

ANTHONY GONZALES (Chase the Night)

ZACHARY DEMERS (Tristan Roberson)

COREY SAMFORD (Bubba Westly)

JUSTIN COGNEATO (Braxton Keith)

JOSH ROGERS (Studio)

 

Bassist of the Year:

KERRY WATTS (Nate Burnham)

BRIAN KOCIAN JR (Bubba Westly)

MICHAEL MOAD (William Beckmann)

COREY MCCULLOUGH (Jon Kott Band)

JACKSON MAULDIN (Jacob Stelly/Studio)

 

Fiddler of the Year:

BRADY BLACK (Randy Rogers Band)

MAISON SHEARER (Monty Dawson Band)

RICO GONZALES (Kin Faux)

SCOTTY ALEXANDER (Scotty Alexander)

GRACE PARTRIDGE (Nate Burnham Band/Others)

 

Steel Guitarist of the Year:

MATTHEW BEGAY (Jake Bush)

ADAM GOODALE (Jake Worthington)

ZACHARY MOULTON (Silverada)

JOE HARRISON (Billie Jo Jones)

TOMMY DETAMORE (Jake Hooker)

 

Keyboard/Pianist of the Year:

MICHAEL DANIELS (Jason Kyle Wickens)
SAM MOORE (Kolton More/Others

TODD STEWART (Randy Rogers Band)

BRYCE CONWAY (The Great Divide)

ALLEN HUFF (Roger Creager)

 

2025 TCMA Trailblazer Award
Kevin Fowler

 

2025 TCMA Moe Bandy Icon Award

Robert Earl Keen

 

To place your Votes for the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards beginning July 1, go to www.texascountrymusic.organd click on the voting link. Voters do not need to be a member of the Texas Country Music Association to vote; however, TCMA Members’ votes are doubled.

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The Texas Country Music Association’s mission is to promote and enhance the Texas Country Music industry, its artists, musicians, songwriters, venues, media, businesses, and all those who touch the industry and make it all happen. “We have already implemented many huge projects, including the only Texas-based digitally monitored airplay chart, the Texas Country Music Chart at www.texascountrymusicchart.com, along with Texas Country Music Magazine’s digital version at www.texascountrymusicmagazine.com, and Texas Country Network online and ROKU, FireTV and AppleTV Channels at www.texascountrynetwork.com.  TCMA has many more projects on the horizon for 2026 that will be announced as they are developed,” says Linda Wilson.

 

More information about the TCMA, its purpose, plans, membership, and goals, as well as

Sponsorshipsand Souvenir Program advertising opportunities for the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards are available at www.texascountrymusic.org.  TCMA Members receive special promotions, advance notice of everything TCMA many other benefits and advantages throughout the year.

 

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NOTE TO MEDIA:  There are a limited number of media credentials available and TCMA Members are given the first option. You must apply for credentials each year using the Media Credentials request form. To apply for media or photography credentials go to https://texascountrymusicassociation.org/2025awardsmedia.  The deadline is October 1,  2025.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Linda Wilson, President

Texas Country Music Association

903-472-8008

tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org