FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2017 Texas Country Music Awards Focuses on Texas Coast Hurricane & Flood Victims

Texas Country Music Fan Favorites To Be Awarded on September 28

CARTHAGE, TX (September 5, 2017) – In light of the recent destruction along the entire Texas Gulf Coast due to Hurricane Harvey, the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards will not only honor Texas' top country music fan voted favorites, and offer performances by 4 decades of Texas Country Music artists, but will also focus attention on the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Texas Country Music Association President Linda Wilson states, "Lives have been uprooted because of the hurricane and flooding along the Texas coast.  TCMA has several members and friends who have completely lost their homes, vehicles and belongings -- some even their jobs and income.  Not everyone will understand this, but musical artists of all genres have suffered from the loss of their livelihood due to damage of their equipment and forced cancellations of their performances.  I've heard from many who have lost musical instruments and resources such as recording equipment and studios, live music venues and even their full time jobs, and the list goes on.   I'm excited to say that the Texas Country Music Association has partnered with Guitar Center to help replace musical equipment and become donation drop off  locations.  We're working out details now, but will be announcing them as they develop."

Texas Country Music Artist, Brandon Rhyder, who will Host and also perform at the event, says "My family and I are heartbroken over the devastation the hurricane has caused...our prayers go out to all."  Rhyder also announced that from September 2 forward, 100% of the proceeds of downloaded sales of his latest single, "They Need Each Other", will be donated toward hurricane relief efforts.  The TCMA has also earmarked all proceeds from their merchandise sales to be donated toward relief organizations and local churches and food banks in the affected areas.  In addition, the Texas Country Music Association's charity fund, Texas Country Cares, is accepting contributions to be used for those purposes.

"We will be talking a lot in days to come and at the Awards show about how we, as an organization can help those in need. Many benefits have already been organized, and there will be many more in the months to come," says Linda Wilson.  "Some might have thought the hurricane has disrupted us all as well as the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards, but it's actually the opposite.  It's helped us all remember we are Texas Strong and that everyone in our state stands together.  This is a very exciting time and for just a few hours, we can do good by honoring and encouraging some very talented people."

The 2017 Texas Country Music Awards will be held on September 28, 2017 at the Carthage Civic Center.  Doors open to the public at 5:30pm and a Pre-Show will be performed by the popular southeast Texas group, Steve Mays and Three of a Kind Band, comprised of Steve Mays, Richard Wilson, Cody Wood, Vicky Moye and Marty Erwin, and special guest fiddler David Varnado. The Awards show will be filmed by at least 2 television programs to be aired at a later date in throughout the State. An additional 2 television stations will be providing live remotes, and several broadcast and internet radio stations will record and live stream the event.  There will be performances by TCMA Spokesperson Mark Chesnutt, Host Brandon Rhyder, Bri Bagwell, Doug Supernaw, Jo-el Sonnier, Johnny Rodriguez and Christian Country Artist Del Way.   Artist and Finalist Justin Todd Herod will also perform his very timely release, "Red White and Blue Ain't Black And White" which has gotten tons of attention in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Twenty-three awards will be presented at the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards in these categories:  Trailblazer Award – Mark Chesnutt, Entertainer of The Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group or Duo, Young Artist (16 & Under), Country Album Of The Year, Country Single of the Year, Radio Station of the Year, Radio DJ of The Year, Internet Radio Station of the Year, Live Music Venue of the Year, Christian Country Artist of the Year, Christian Country Single of the Year, Bassist of the Year, Fiddler of the Year, Guitarist of the Year, Keyboard/Pianist of the Year, Steel Guitarist of the Year, Drummer of the Year, Country Songwriter of the Year, Christian Country Songwriter of the Year and Ross Key Memorial Award – Volunteer of the Year.

Texas Country Music Association Vice President Richard Wilson says, “As a musician myself, I’m so happy to see the Awards include several musician categories. It’s very satisfying to see how excited they are to be recognized, and they certainly deserve it.  I'm anxious to get the partnership with Guitar Center organized so we can replace instruments lost in the hurricane and flood.” Mr. Wilson is drummer and performer himself and will perform with the opening band.

Tickets to the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards as well as additional information about the TCMA, its purpose, plans, membership and goals are available on www.texascountrymusic.org.

CONTACT:

Linda K. Wilson, President

Texas Country Music Association, Inc.

P O Box 1527

Carthage, TX 75633

tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION'S

2017 TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

Preliminary Lineup includes Mark Chesnutt, Brandon Rhyder and Doug Supernaw

CARTHAGE, TX (February 22, 2017) – The Texas Country Music Association, Inc. announced that the Texas Country Music Awards Show and Ceremony, to be held September 28, 2017 at the Carthage Civic Center in Carthage, TX will include special appearances by three well known Country Artists.

TCMA Spokesperson, Mark Chesnutt will perform at the awards show, and will also receive the 2017 Trailblazer Award, a special award to honor him for his long-standing impact on the country music industry in Texas and worldwide.  TCMA President, Linda Wilson, says, “It’s so awesome to have Mark Chesnutt as our Spokesperson.  He’s the most amazing person and really cares about the people, the industry and what’s going on with TCMA."  She states that among the awards presented will be the Trailblazer Award, which is unique to the Texas Country Music Association and designed to show the appreciation and respect due to those who have ‘blazed the trail’ for others.  “Of course Mark will receive it this year!  He’s certainly earned it.” she says.  Chesnutt has had 14 number one hits, a few of which are “Too Cold At Home”, “Brother Jukebox” and “Almost Goodbye”, as well as many others.  His new album, “Tradition Lives”, is his 15^thstudio album and has already received rave reviews.

Carthage, Texas native and popular Texas Country Artist Brandon Rhyder will not only perform but will also Host the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards.  “Brandon is the perfect person to Host the Awards Show and we are so honored to have him.  He’s a very talented and successful artist with 8 albums released, and he’s excited about being in his hometown to be part of it all,” says Wilson.   A few of Brandon’s hits include “Lord, I Hope This Day is Good”, “That’s Just Me”, and “Freeze Frame Time”.

Also performing at the Awards Show is Doug Supernaw, who will also serve as an award presenter.   Doug’s string of hits includes the number one “I Don’t Call Him Daddy,” along with the very popular, “Reno” and “Not Enough Hours in the Night.”  Doug Supernaw recently recorded a new album, “Doug Supernaw Greatest Hits”, scheduled for release on April 1, 2017.  TCMA President Linda Wilson is a long-time friend of Supernaw.  She states, “My personal favorite Doug song has always been “Rodeo Rose”.  You’ll have to ask him about that one!”

Other performers will be added and announced as schedules are confirmed and voting concludes.

Awards and voting categories include: Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Christian Country Artist of the Year, Christian Single of the Year, Musician of the Year, Radio Station of the Year, Radio DJ of the Year, Live Music Venue of the Year, as well as Songwriter of the Year, which will be determined in the 2017 Songwriter Contest that ends April 30, 2017.

“The nomination ballots will be online by the first week of May 15, 2017 and will end June15.  The nominations will be tallied and the top five nominees in each category will be named.  The voting will begin by June 20 and end July 31,” says Wilson, “There are a lot of loyal fans and tremendous talent in Texas, and we’re excited that the fans and public want to be involved.”

Country music fans do not need to be a member of the TCMA to nominate or vote; however, TCMA Members' votes will be doubled.  All membership levels include special voting rights and advance ticket notices for the Texas Country Music Awards and other TCMA sponsored events.  Fans have their own membership category and can go join at www.texascountrymusic.org by choosing the Individual Membership level, and there are membership levels for artists, venues, media and businesses.  “For all the fans out there, this is yet another opportunity to support and help us promote their favorite Texas artists even more.” says Wilson.   There are Awards Show Underwriting Sponsorship opportunities available now. To request information, email tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org.

The Texas Country Music Association, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose goal is to aid in the success of not only artists and fans but also professionals, venues, media, businesses and individuals who work diligently behind the scenes to make it all happen.

More information is available at http://www.texascountrymusic.org.

# # #

Contact:  Texas Country Music Association, Inc.                 
Linda Wilson, President                                             

903-472-8008                                                              

tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org