Nominations for the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards opened on Thursday, May 1, through a link on www.texascountrymusic.org. Nominations will close at midnight on June 15. Nominations are open to the public, and you do not have to be a TCMA Member to place nominations; however, TCMA Member nominations will double. The nomination round will determine the top 5 finalists that will go to a vote beginning July 1 and ending on August 15.
The annual Texas Country Music Awards is presented by the Texas Country Music Association, the trade organization for the Texas Country Music industry. There are 28 Award categories, and each will be presented at the Awards, held once again in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards at the world’s largest Honky Tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas on Sunday, November 9, following Texas Country Music Weekend in the Stockyards on November 7, 8, and 9.
Headlining the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards is Texas Country superstar Kevin Fowler, who will also receive the coveted TCMA Trailblazer Award. Robert Earl Keen will receive the 2025 TCMA Moe Bandy Icon Award and will also perform. Other performers include TCMA Spokesperson and Awards host Brandon Rhyder, along with full band performances by the spectacular Billie Jo Jones, as well as rising star Pug Johnson. Other performers will be announced as schedules are confirmed. Each of the 2025 Emerging Artist Finalists will also be invited to perform once the voting is completed. This year, each Emerging Artist Finalist will perform on Billy Bob’s main stage.
TCMA and the Stockyards will again bring you “Texas Country Music Weekend” on November 7, 8 and 9, with several free live music events, activities, and special appearances by Texas Country Music artists. On Friday November 7 the Stockyards will present TCMA’s Texas Country Showcase with live acoustic performances by TCMA Member Artists from 1pm-5pm, followed by a free concert on the Stockyards stage by the Monty Dawson Band. Saturday, November 8 the Stockyards will host TCMA’s Texas Country Music Showdown emceed by TCMA Vice President Monty Dawson and TCMA Ambassador Brad Bowman. The Showdown consists of 8 bands who perform throughout the day and
compete for the Grand Champion honor as well as 2nd and 3rd place, which will be 2 announced at the Texas Country Music Awards on Sunday, November 9th. The Stockyards provide the judges and cash prizes for the winners. There will also be a free live music concert following the Texas Country Music Showdown with fast-rising Texas Country star Grant Gilbert.
In 2024, there were at least 150,000 visitors to the Stockyards for Texas Country Music Weekend, thanks to Title Sponsors the Fort Worth Stockyards, Stockyards Heritage Development Co., Hotel Drover, Mule Alley, Cowtown Coliseum, Stockyards Station, Stockyards Hotel, and Hyatt Place. “We’re very excited to announce that the 2025 Texas Country Music Awards will be at home in the Stockyards at Billy Bob’s Texas,” says Texas Country Music Association President Linda Wilson. She goes on, “This is the 9th year TCMA has presented the Texas Country Music Awards, and we are extremely excited that none other than Texas Country’s own Kevin Fowler will be with us as the headliner and finale performer. We know it’s going to be one awesome event once again and look forward to honoring the
artists, musicians, songwriters, venues, media, and others involved in the industry who are from and perform throughout the State of Texas and beyond.”
The Awards main ceremony will again be hosted by TCMA Spokesperson and Texas Country Artist, Brandon Rhyder, and co-hosted by on-air personality with 92.1 Hank- FM, Erin Wilde. Brandon has been TCMA’s Spokesperson since 2017. Hosting the Texas Country Music Awards Pre-Show honoring musicians and songwriters, is TCMA’s own Brad Bowman.
TCMA Executive Vice President Richard Wilson adds, “Each year after the Awards show we are in awe and say, ‘How are we going to top this next year?’ I mean it’s hard to top the past years with all the awards presented and the performances of artists like Doug Supernaw, Doug Stone, Steve Helms, Cory Morrow, Neal McCoy, Aaron Watson, Roger Creager, Cody Canada and the Departed and Jason Boland and the Stragglers. But this year will be very special with Kevin Fowler and his band headlining, and Kevin also receiving the TCMA Trailblazer Award. We are sure it will once again be epic. We can’t wait to be able to shine a light on the great music and those in the Texas Country Music industry once again. It’s most definitely going to be a blast and we’re so grateful for the TCMA Members, the Stockyards, Hotel Drover and Billy Bob’s, Pendleton Whisky, and all of the sponsors. They never fail at helping us present the biggest event and weekend in Texas Country.”
On Sunday, November 9th at high noon, there will again be a free Christian Country Sunday Gathering in the Stockyards with live music, from multi-year Christian Country Artist of the Year Curtis Grimes, along with Alf Evans, Nick Zamora and Shaefer Kay.
Tickets will go on sale for the 2024 Texas Country Music Awards in early July.
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Texas Country Artist Nate Burnham Teams Up with Randall King to Put a Bluegrass Twist on King’s "Mirror, Mirror"
ROCKWALL, TX – (May 16, 2025) – Texas country artist Nate Burnham is turning heads with the release of his unique cover of Randall King's hit "Mirror, Mirror" – reimagined with a bluegrass energy and featuring King himself. What started as a spontaneous fiddle-and-guitar jam between Burnham and his fiddle player and artist, Grace Partridge, has evolved into a buzzworthy Texas country collaboration. Burnham released his version of “Mirror, Mirror” last week, and it’s now available everywhere you stream music.
“Grace and I were just messing around with some chords, playing ‘Mirror, Mirror’ a little faster,” said Burnham. “It morphed into this bluegrass vibe that made us both smile. We recorded it as a TikTok, tagged Randall, and he actually responded. He said, ‘This is great. You should record it and have me sing on it with you.’ So, we did.”
Burnham was thrilled to have gotten King’s attention with the TikTok video, but to have him sing on the track was icing on the cake.
“I’ve always liked to push the boundaries in music. It’s really cool to be able to work with Randall King, who is one of the biggest acts in Texas now. You are always looking for a break and something like this doesn’t come around often, so I am very grateful,” added Burnham.
The track highlights Burnham’s appreciation for bluegrass, while King's guest vocals bring his signature sound and a nod to the original track.
In the first week on streaming platforms, “Mirror, Mirror” got more than 36-thousand streams – proof Burnham and King fans are loving it, and Burnham is on the right career path. The 43-year-old Houston native now based in Rockwall, Texas, didn’t follow a typical path into music. He dabbled in music after high school and later, in 2012, released his debut album “Crash Course,” while simultaneously moving to Idaho and launching a pest control business.
“I was naïve to think I could do both,” said the country singer. In 2020, he made the call to jump fully into music and began writing and recording songs. Since 2021, he has given his fans two albums and 34 original songs, plus his duet with King, which is the only song he’s released that he didn’t write.
The "Mirror, Mirror" cover follows Burnham’s latest original release, “If It Kills Me,” a poignant ballad inspired by a snowstorm drive home to his wife. He connects with audiences by blending humor, heart, and honesty on stage — all while balancing life as a husband and father of four.
“I couldn’t do this with a family if I didn’t have a wife who supports it. We have four kids, so it’s a challenge to be an up and comer in the music industry, but somehow, I have been lucky enough that they all support me,” said Burnham. “I have two boys and two girls, and I just want to get hugs from my girls and wrestle with my boys. Being on the road can wear on you after a while, but we feel like we have something with the music, and we can make something out of it. I am fortunate to have a wife who is willing to let me have a run at it.”
Burnham will be playing at the legendary Gruene Hall in New Braunfels with fellow artist Hayden Baker on June 5. Visit www.nateburnham.com for more information on this show and to see his complete tour schedule.
Payton Riley Music and the Texas Country Music Association to host the Young Artist Songwriter Retreat Catering to Ages 13-19
Participants and their parents will get the chance to hear from industry professionals like Chuck Floyd from Floyd Law Office, who will discuss how to monetize careers in the music industry. Joe Kelly from CDX Nashville will cover key topics like recording, distribution, and radio promotion, which are crucial for aspiring artists. Plus, Stacey Yancey, mother of Parker McCollum, will share her extensive experience on navigating the ups and downs of the music business, offering valuable insights from their family’s journey.
Each day, young artists will break into groups to co-write songs with their peers and mentors, fostering collaboration and creativity as they develop their craft. We’re also thrilled to announce that Greg Barnhill will be flying in from Nashville to lead the songwriting sessions, promising to inspire and empower our young artists.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Monday and Tuesday, along with snacks throughout the day. Young artists will have the opportunity to showcase their talents at an open mic night at Dosey Doe BBQ on Monday. The retreat will culminate in a ticketed event at Dosey Doe - The Big Barn featuring three selected young artists from the retreat: Hadlie Jo, Payton Riley, and special guest Greg Barnhill—plus a few exciting surprises awaiting you that night!
Registration is now open at www.paytonrileymusic.com, and we offer options for paying the registration fee in full or in installments. Don't miss out!
2025 Texas Country Music Industry Awards THURSDAY, JUNE 12TH
TCMA is making history once again by presenting the 2025 Texas Country Music Industry Awards on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Rhinestone Saloon in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
This is a one-of-a-kind event powered by the Texas Country Music Association, the only trade organization for Texas Country Music, and developed to honor and recognize those individuals and businesses who work so hard alongside the artists to make Texas Country what it is today -- the BEST in the WORLD!
Ticket prices include general admission to the event at Rhinestone Saloon. Reserved seating is available only for Sponsors. No food or drinks are included with ticket purchase.
The doors open at 5pm. Red Carpet Interviews begin at 6pm with Zakk United of Texas Country Network, followed by presentations of each award at 7pm.
There will be acoustic performances throughout the evening and will end with a concert by a band to be announced.
Alice Jackson
"Pink Leather Boots"
Alice Jackson is a 13-year-old country powerhouse from Oklahoma City, OK, quickly making waves with her bold style and undeniable talent. “Pink Leather Boots” marks her fourth single release and is especially significant as her first co-written track. Fueled by her deep love for Elvis Presley, Alice drew inspiration from his iconic hit “Blue Suede Shoes” and gave it a fresh, Gen-Z country twist. With sassy lyrics, a stompin’ beat, and a whole lot of attitude, “Pink Leather Boots” is a nod to rock ‘n’ roll roots wrapped in a modern country flair—proving Alice isn’t just a rising star, she’s blazing her own trail.
Tristan Roberson is a 17-year-old Texas country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Frisco, Texas. Tristan effortlessly masters multiple instruments including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano and drums. Tristan’s taken has quickly captivated audiences, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the country music industry.
TCMA's Best Texas Country Picks Vol 7
Compilation CD - 29 Artists
The Texas Country Music Association is proud to present TCMA's Best Texas Country Picks Volume 7 Compilation CD that includes songs from 29 TCMA Member independent artists!
This is the 7th in the highly successful compilation CD presented by TCMA on Texas Country Records!
If you're interested in placing a song on TCMA's Best Texas Country Picks Volume 8, please email Linda Wilson at tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org.
This Week's Texas Country Music Chart
The Texas Country Music Chart is the only Texas-based, digitally-monitored airplay chart for Texas Country Music and is a service of the Texas Country Music Association.
Twin Rivers Music Scene Podcast Spotlights Hill Country Artists in a New Way
Twin Rivers Music Scene was founded by Reid Kohls (TCMA Editor) and Madison Dunn in 2024, with the mission of supporting local musicians in and around New Braunfels, Texas through photography, content creation, and show promotion.
As Twin Rivers Music Scene gained traction online and within the New Braunfels music community, Reid and Madison recognized the need for a platform where local artists could share their stories about their music and personal journeys. This led to the development and launch of the Twin Rivers Music Scene Podcast in November 2024, which has since released 14 episodes.
The podcast highlights upcoming shows, venues, and new song releases, followed by interviews with the artist, and is typically hosted at the historic Riley’s Tavern in Hunter, Texas. As the podcast has grown, Reid and Madison have had the opportunity to travel to various venues, including Rodeo Austin, The Continental Club, and several recording studios, where they interview artists directly.
Reid and Madison set a fun and friendly tone when engaging with their guests, asking questions that not only delve into their music but also explore who they are as individuals. Both hosts bring diverse experiences from different areas of the music industry, allowing them to interview artists from multiple perspectives: as friends, fans of live music, and fellow professionals in the Texas music scene.
In the past five months, the podcast has featured guests such as Ryan Hunter, Cameron Allbright, Shelby Rae Marshall, Jake Gardner, Damon Curtis, Mike Neumann, Brother Jukebox, Clay Hollis, The Reed Brothers, Denny Herrin, Austin Gilliam, Timber Wilde, and Hayden Redwine.
The Twin Rivers Music Scene Podcast is available for streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeart Radio!
Follow Twin Rivers Music Scene on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily updates, including podcast releases, show promotions, concert photos, artist spotlights, and much more.
