Texas Country Music Association

Mission Statement

The Texas Country Music Association serves as the principal trade organization and advocate for the Texas Country Music industry, and exists to consistently and effectively energize, promote and support the Texas Country Music industry and those involved in every aspect.

Why TCMA Exists

The Texas Country Music Association (TCMA) serves as a vital organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Texas Country Music industry. Founded with the goal of energizing, advancing and nurturing the unique sound and culture of Texas Country Music, the TCMA plays a crucial role in providing opportunities and resources for artists, musicians, songwriters, and other industry stakeholders within the genre. Through various initiatives such as the annual Texas Country Music Awards, Artist Showcases, workshops and networking events, the TCMA has succeeded in elevating the visibility and recognition of Texas Country music on a local, national, and international scale.

As the principal entity championing Texas Country Music, the TCMA serves as a unifying force for the community, bringing together industry stakeholders and individual fans who share a passion for Texas Country. By fostering collaboration, education, and advocacy, the Texas Country Music Association works daily to ensure the continued growth and success of Texas Country Music. Through its efforts in supporting and promoting artists and those who develop them, industry support, and audience engagement, the TCMA plays a pivotal role in preserving the rich heritage and vibrant future of Texas Country Music for generations to come.


TCMA's Annual Songwriter Contest

The Texas Country Music Association holds an annual Songwriter Contest for TCMA Members only.  There are two categories for song entries:  Country Music and Christian Country Music.  Entries are accepted between December 1 and April 30 of each year.  Songs submitted do not have to be current releases or professionally produced.The songs are reviewed by Preliminary Round judges who score them, and based on those scores the top 10 songs in each category is determined.  Those top 10 finalists go to the Final Round Judges for scoring, and the overall winner is determined in each category as well as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place runners up and 5 honorable mentions.  The overall winners in each category are invited to perform their winning entry during the Texas Country Music Awards pre-show.  All 10 top finalists receive awards.

Texas Country Music Awards Nomination and Voting Process

The Texas Country Music Association presents the Texas Country Music Awards annually.  Nomination ballots go out generally on April 1 and close on May 30.  Final round voting is generally between June 1 and July 30.  People nominating nor nominees have to be a TCMA Member; however, TCMA Members' nominations and votes are doubled and all online nominations from fans and members count toward 1 nomination and is added to the nominations made by each 4 Nomination and Voting Committee Member from the top 10 nominees, resulting the top 5 nominations in each award category.  Those top 5 finalists are announced and presented for vote online, and the overall winners in each category are determined by TCMA Members and fan votes only.  All nominations and votes are verified, vetted and confirmed by the Voting Committee.

Young Artist Category:  Artists who are age 18 and under at January 1 of each year are eligible for the Young Artist (18 and under) category.

Single of the Year and Album of the Year Categories:  Songs released in the current or prior year qualify as eligible.


Texas Country Music Awards Category Descriptions

Entertainer of The Year:     

This category represents a noted Texas Country artist or group (traditional or progressive in style) that has demonstrated an exceptionally successful year of headlining shows and releasing current music.

Male Artist of the Year:     

This category represents a noted male Texas Country artist (traditional or progressive in style) that has demonstrated a successful year of playing original shows and releasing current music.

Female Artist of the Year:     

This category represents a noted female Texas Country artist (traditional or progressive in style) that has demonstrated a successful year of playing original shows and releasing current music.       

Country Band of the Year:     

This category represents a noted Texas Country band or group (traditional or progressive in style) that has demonstrated a successful year of playing original shows and releasing current music.       

Western Swing or Bluegrass Artist or Band of the Year     

This category represents a noted Texas Western Swing artist band, OR a Bluegrass Artist or Band (traditional or progressive in style) that has demonstrated a successful year of playing shows and releasing current music.       

Roots/Alternative Artist of the Year:     

This category represents a noted Texas artist or group that fits into the Texas Country scene in its broader expressions (e.g., Rock, Southern Rock, Outlaw, Folk, Americana, Ameripolitan, etc.) and has demonstrated a successful year of playing original shows and releasing current music.

Young Artist (18 & Under):     

This category represents a Texas Country artist (traditional or progressive in style) who is age 18 or under on January 1 of the current year, that has demonstrated a year of playing shows and beginning to release current music. 

Emerging Artist:     

This category is not a "new" artist award, rather it represents a Texas Country artist (traditional or progressive in style) that has, within the past year, shown a significant increase in being recognized as making a successful transition into playing original shows and releasing current music.       

Country Album of The Year:     

This category represents a project release (EP or LP from the current or previous calendar year) by a Texas Country artist or group (traditional or progressive in style) that has been received with critical acclaim and/or success in streaming and sales.       

Country Single of the Year:     

This category represents a single release (from the current or previous calendar year) by a Texas Country artist or group (traditional or progressive in style) that has been received with critical acclaim and/or success in radio and streaming.

Terrestrial Radio Station of the Year:     

This category represents a terrestrial radio station that serves its market with excellence through its country and Texas Country music programming as well as community involvement.    

Broadcast Personality of The Year:     

This category represents an on-air broadcast personality that serves his or her market with excellence through their support and interaction with the country and Texas Country community.     

Internet Radio Station of the Year:     

This category represents an exclusively internet/streaming radio station that serves its market with excellence through its country and Texas Country music programming.

Live Music Venue of the Year:     

This category represents a live music venue known for its excellence in showcasing original Texas Country music (traditional or progressive in style).       

Christian Country Artist of the Year:     

This category represents a noted Christian Texas Country artist (traditional or progressive in style) that has demonstrated a successful year of playing original shows and releasing current music.     

Bassist of the Year:     

This category represents a bass player who is known to be excellent in his or her craft, and is a touring band member of a noted Texas artist, or contributes significantly to Texas Country recordings.     

Fiddler of the Year:     

This category represents a fiddle player who is known to be excellent in his or her craft, and is a touring band member of a noted Texas artist, or contributes significantly to Texas Country recordings.       

Guitarist of the Year:     

This category represents a guitar player who is known to be excellent in his or her craft, and is a touring band member of a noted Texas artist, or contributes significantly to Texas Country recordings.       

Keyboard/Pianist of the Year:     

This category represents a keyboard player who is known to be excellent in his or her craft and is a touring band member of a noted Texas artist or contributes significantly to Texas Country recordings.       

Steel Guitarist of the Year:     

This category represents a steel guitar player who is known to be excellent in his or her craft and is a touring band member of a noted Texas artist or contributes significantly to Texas country recordings.       

Drummer of the Year:     

This category represents a drummer who is known to be excellent in his or her craft and is a touring band member of a noted Texas artist or contributes significantly to Texas Country recordings.

TCMA Trailblazer Award:     

This award represents a Texas artist or group who has made significant accomplishments in their Texas Country and Red Dirt music career, and has provided inspiration and opportunities for younger artists to follow in their footsteps. This award is selected by the Board of Directors of the Texas Country Music Association.


Moe Bandy Icon Award:

This award is to honor those Country Artists, Musicians, Songwriters or other Industry Stakeholders who are from Texas that have a rich history in the Texas Country Music industry.  This award is selected by the Board of Directors of the Texas Country Music Association.


Songwriter of the Year (Country and Christian Country Categories):

This category represents songwriters who have participated in the TCMA Songwriter Contest whose entered songs have advanced through Preliminary Round Judging through Final Round Judging.  This is not a voted category.

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