FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texas Country Music Association Announces

2025 TCMA Songwriter Contest Winners

Country and Christian Country Songwriters of the Year Announced

 

CARTHAGE, TX,  (September 10, 2025) -- The Texas Country Music Association announced today that the 2025 TCMA Songwriter Contest’s Final Round Judges have named the overall winners in both the Country and Christian Country categories.

The 2025 Songwriter of the Year in the Country category is Curtis Grimes and Bobby Evans for “What I’m Here For”.  The 2025 Songwriter of the Year in the Christian Country category is Tyson Leamon for “Who I Am”.   Each songwriter will have the opportunity to perform their song on stage at Billy Bob’s Texas on November 9^th as part of the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards ceremonies.

The 2025 TCMA Country Songwriter Contest Winner, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Place, and Honorable Mentions are:

Winner – Curtis Grimes & Bobby Evans for “What I’m Here For”

1^st Runner Up – Brandon Hutcheson & Jon Hutcheson for “Damn Dallas”

2^nd Runner Up – Jonathon Rachal, Donovan Rachal & Taylor Griffin for “If I Fall”

3^rd Runner Up – Tristan Roberson, Lauren McLamb & Chris Rafetto for “Somewhere in Texas”

4^th Runner Up – Chaser Crouch for “Daybreak Heartbreak”

Honorable Mention – Dave Carroll for “More Than Enough”

Honorable Mention – Maddox Ross & Danny Wells for “Horses and Heartaches”

Honorable Mention – Season Ammons for “The Storm”

Honorable Mention – Ty Wilson & Craig Brooks for “Chasin’ Headlights”

Honorable Mention – Dave Carroll for “Boots On The Dash”

The 2025 TCMA Christian Country Songwriter Contest 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Place, and Honorable Mentions are:

Winner – Tyson Leamon for “Who I Am”

1^st Runner Up – Matthew Soileau for “I Need Jesus”

2^nd Runner Up – Aaron Loy for “God Made A Cowboy”

3^rd Runner Up – Stephen Butler for “Love Her Like Christ”

4^th Runner Up -  Morgan Ashley & Emerson Day for “Ain’t It Just Like Jesus”

Honorable Mention – Aaron Loy & Jim Hawkins for “Forever 33”

Honorable Mention – Randall Cate for “Road To Heaven”

Honorable Mention – Trey Calloway & Cody Kelley for “Honest To God”

Honorable Mention – Troy Vanderhoof & Alexis Alexander Tapp for “Half The Man Twice The Faith”

Honorable Mention – Rhonda McCullough & Taylor Bonham for “Smile On Me”

Each runner-up and Honorable Mention’s name will be called out during the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards’ pre-show, and they will be able to pick up their award from the hostess side-stage or have it mailed to them if they are unable to attend.

According to TCMA President Linda Wilson, there were 446 total songs submitted in both categories, and all entries were original works. Preliminary and Final Round Judges scored each song on creativity, lyrics, melody, arrangement, originality, and overall technique. The Final Round Judges' scores were averaged, determining the Winner, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Place, and Honorable Mentions in each category.

“All of the songs were so awesome, and so many great songwriters are members of the Texas Country Music Association.   It was very hard, and they all deserve recognition.  It is our job as the only Trade Organization for the Texas Country Music industry to support and encourage each and every one of them, and work on their behalf to help them as much as possible,” says Linda Wilson.

TCMA Executive Vice President, Richard Wilson, says, “The annual songwriter contest is evidence that songwriters pour their hearts into their music. It was especially difficult this year for judges to choose only 10 in each format and then judge those 10 to determine the winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions.”

The 2026 TCMA Songwriter Contest will be announced at a later date.  Tickets are on sale now to the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards at www.billybobstexas.com. For more information about the Texas Country Music Association and the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards, visit www.texascountrymusic.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT (For media use only – do not print):

Linda Wilson, President

Texas Country Music Association, Inc.

903-472-8008

tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org