FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2026 TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Another Spectacular Event in the Fort Worth Stockyards at Billy Bob’s Texas

TCMA Energizes the Texas Country Music Industry Once Again with Live Performances and 28 Awards at the Biggest Event in Texas Country Music

FORT WORTH, TX (Sunday, November 8, 2026) – For Texas Country Music fans from across the region, the Fort Worth Stockyards was the place to be on Sunday, November 8, as the Texas Country Music Association hosted the spectacular 2026 Texas Country Music Awards at Billy Bob’s Texas. According to TCMA President and Founder Linda Wilson, this marked the 10^th Anniversary of the Texas Country Music Awards and its eighth year at Billy Bob’s in the Stockyards. Once again, the evening showcased why the Texas Country Music industry has flourished and continues to expand.

The event included a host of top Texas artists, including TCMA Spokesperson Brandon Rhyder, hosting the event for the 10th year in a row. Co-hosting with Brandon was popular on-air radio personality Erin Wilde with 92.1 Hank FM Fort Worth, who also won 2026 On-Air Personality of the Year at the TCMA’s Industry Awards in July. “The Brandon-Erin team is outstanding. They always bring the awards ceremony to an epic level and make the event high energy and fun.” Says Linda Wilson. 

The 2026 Texas Country Music Awards was brought to you once again by Title Sponsor, Stockyards Heritage Development Co., and its entities, The Hotel Drover, Mule Alley, Stockyards Station, Hyatt Place, and Stockyards Hotel, and Presented-By Sponsors, Waxahachie Autoplex Group, who have multiple auto dealerships. The Presented-By Sponsor is Cowboy Capital Ventures and Brought-To-You-By Sponsor was Rhinestone Saloon, who also sponsored several of the awards including Emerging Artist and Entertainer of the Year.

Hoot’s Hall Sponsored the Hoot’s Hall Winner’s Circle hosted by Zakk United of Texas Country Network.

The top fan-voted awards were presented across twenty-eight categories celebrating both Texas Country Music and Christian Country Music. The Texas Country Music Awards were once again produced by TCMA Vice President and Executive Awards Producer Monty Dawson, with award presentations expertly organized for the tenth consecutive year by acclaimed record producer and Awards Executive Director Chad Mauldin of Mauldin Productions.

The performances, sound, and staging were produced by John Zaskoda and his team at Billy Bob’s Texas, while filming and post-production were handled by Arik Surita. The Awards ceremony will be broadcast once editing is complete.

“We are extremely grateful to all the producers, coordinators, volunteers, and staff who dedicate so much effort each year to make this event possible. John ‘JZ’ Zaskoda and his team at Billy Bob’s Texas have worked closely and tirelessly with us for the past eight years to bring this annual event to life, and they truly are the best in the business, and their new sound system is amazing. We’re excited to collaborate with everyone again on next year’s Awards!” said Executive Producer and TCMA Vice President Monty Dawson.

The event kicked off with the Red-Carpet interviews at 2:00 pm and was hosted by TCMA Vice President Kris Young and Helen Elshick with Texas Toast Radio and Texas Toast Podcast. The Musician and Songwriter of the Year awards took place during the Pre-Show, hosted by TCMA Ambassador Brad Bowman, at 5:00 pm. The Pre-Show included performances by the Kristen Kelly Band, 2026 Christian Songwriter of the Year Dave Carroll, and 2026 Country Songwriter of the Year Aaron Loy singing their winning songs. TCMA President Linda Wilson, along with TCMA Vice President Monty Dawson, presented the 2026 Artist Scholarship to Texas Country artist Danny Sharpe from Tyler, Texas.

The main Awards ceremony began at 6:00 pm with greetings from TCMA Founders, President and Executive Vice President Linda and Richard Wilson, and the opening prayer was led by TCMA Country Music Promoter and talent Buyer, Charlie Diggs.  Wilson explains, “The Texas Country Music Awards always include a special tribute to Veterans and First Responders.  This year, Coffey Anderson performed the national anthem and veterans salute, and also introduced101 year old Marine World War II Veteran Don Graves who sang “God Bless America”.

Managing the trophies and directing participants on stage were Jada Young, Teresa Hill and Abigail Young.

“There were many volunteers and TCMA Members to help put this amazing event together, and we could not have done it without each and every one,” says Linda Wilson. “I’d like to give a special thanks to the hostesses who work the VIP Desk and Swag Bag Desk under the direction of Kimberly Daniel and Christal Shaffer.  These ladies have been with us for a very long time and do a wonderful job greeting the attendees.”

In addition to the 28 awards presented at the 2026 Texas Country Music Awards, TCMA honored Aaron Watson with its prestigious “TCMA Trailblazer Award” in recognition of his long-standing career and remarkable achievements in performing, songwriting, and success within the Texas Country Music scene. “TCMA is thrilled to present Aaron with the 2026 Trailblazer Award as part of the Awards Ceremony. He truly ‘blazed the trail’ for others and is actually an inspiration of all we do at TCMA,” says Linda Wilson.

The TCMA Icon Award was presented to long time production manager at Billy Bob’s, Robert Galagher in recognition of his enduring impact on the artists and industry. According to Linda Wilson, Robert was selected to receive the coveted Icon Award unanimously by the board and ambassadors of the Texas Country Music Association. Presenting Robert the award was Brandon Rhyder and Aaron Watson, with several artists who have played the Billy Bob’s stage looking on, as well as John “JZ” Zaskoda of Billy Bob’s.

The spectacular evening was filled with top talent, including Tristan Roberson Band, who kicked off the main ceremony. Also performing were Brandon Rhyder,  Hayden Baker, Kylie Frey, Hayden Haddock, Phil Hamilton, Darrin Morris, and Emerging Artist finalists – Cole Stephens, Adysen Malek, Haydon Wiginton and Tyler Tillman. There was an unforgettable finale performance by Wynn Williams and his band.

Media from across Texas and beyond covered the 2026 Texas Country Music Awards. Red carpet interviews, filmed by Kyle Garrett Tomchesson and the Texas Toast Podcast, will be available for fans to watch soon.

Winners in each category were selected based on fan nominations and final-round voting conducted between April and August 2026, with results verified by the TCMA Voting Committee.

The Award categories and the respective winners are:

Entertainer of The Year:

Aaron Watson

Male Artist of the Year:

Wynn Williams

Female Artist of the Year:

Billie Jo

 

Country Band of the Year:

Ghosts of Hill County

 

Western Swing or Bluegrass Artist or Band of the Year

Landon Dodd & The Dancehall Drifters

Tejano Artist or Band of the Year

Johnny Y Los Texas Plowboys

 

Americana Artist of the Year:

West Texas Exiles

Alternative Artist of the Year

Midnight River Choir

Young Artist (18 & Under):

Payton Riley

 

Emerging Artist:

Tyler Tillman

 

Country Album of The Year:

“One Night In Dallas,” Tristan Roberson

Country Single of the Year:

“Letting You Go,” Hayden Baker

 

Terrestrial Radio Station of the Year:

KFWR 95.9 The Ranch, Fort Worth

 

Broadcast Personality of The Year:

Kenny Schneebeli – KRXT 98.5 FM Rockdale/Taylor

 

Internet Radio Station of the Year:

IRCOUNTRY.COM

Live Music Venue of the Year:

Rhinestone Saloon, Fort Worth

 

Christian Country Artist of the Year:

Curtis Grimes

 

Bassist of the Year:

Seth Ramirez

Fiddler of the Year:

Emily Anslover

 

Guitarist of the Year:

Alex White

 

Keyboard/Pianist of the Year:

Ian Reichman

 

Steel Guitarist of the Year:

Mike Simms

 

Drummer of the Year:

BJ Luza

 

TCMA Artist Scholarship

Danny Sharpe

 

Trailblazer Award

Aaron Watson

TCMA Icon Award

Robert Gallagher

 

Country Songwriter of the Year:

Aaron Loy “Take It Easy Cowgirl”

 

Christian Country Songwriter of the Year: 

Dave Carroll for “You Were Here”

 

TCMA’s 2026 Artist’s Scholarship was presented to Texas artist, singer/songwriter Danny Sharpe of Tyler.  The Artist’s Scholarship will pay to have one single recorded, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Chad Mauldin at Mauldin Productions; one single distribution by Courtney Ritter at American Airplay; and radio marketing on one single by Powerhouse Promotions and Texas Music Marketing.

The Texas Country Music Association (TCMA), the only trade organization dedicated to the Texas Country Music industry, is committed to advocating for, promoting, and strengthening every aspect of the industry — including artists, songwriters, musicians, venues, media, and the many businesses working behind the scenes to make it all happen.

“We’re already planning the 2027 Texas Country Music Awards for the 2^nd Sunday in November at Billy Bob’s, but first, we’ll be presenting the Texas Country Music Industry Awards in the summer of 2027,” says TCMA Executive Vice President Richard Wilson.  He also highlighted several successful ongoing projects, such as the Texas Country Music Chart, the new Texas Country Chart Enhanced, Texas Country Network (available online and on ROKU, Apple TV, and Fire TV), Texas Country Music Television, Texas Country Music Magazine online, and American Airplay Radio Distribution service. With a few new initiatives in development for 2027 that will help the industry and those involved even more, TCMA remains focused on advancing the Texas Country Music industry and supporting everyone who plays a role in its success.

 

Linda Wilson expressed her gratitude, saying, “Above all, we want to thank our TCMA Members and Sponsors — because without you, we couldn’t do what we do to keep TCMA the strong and effective trade organization for the Texas Country Music industry.” When asked about her favorite part of the evening, she smiled and said, “It’s always about the camaraderie and that family-reunion atmosphere, seeing the unity and smiling faces throughout our industry — and, of course, the grand finale!”

More information about the Texas Country Music Association, its purpose, plans, membership, and goals is available on www.texascountrymusic.org. 

 

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