THE PARTY LIST - March 28- April 3

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

I will resume ON THE ROAD events beginning May 1st (Unless I can scope out shows before then!)

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS

Thursday – 28
Billy Dean – Dosey Doe’s Café (Music Barn) – The Woodlands
/w/ Pauline Reese
W.C. Jameson – The Badu Wine House – Llano 7 p.m.
/w/ Mike Blakely and Nora Jane Struthers
Sons of Fathers – Dosey Doe's Café (Music Café) – Conroe
Paul Leyton - Southern Nights Dancehall - Abilene
Brigitte London - Luckenbach - 5 p.m. - No Cover


Friday – 29
Richie Allbright – Wick’s Saloon – Cypress
Scott Sturgeon – Old Town Flying Pig – Lewisville
Asleep At The Wheel – Dosey Doe’s Café  ( Music Barn) - The Woodlands
Josh Grider – Dosey Doe’s Café (Music Café)- Conroe
Josh Abbott Band – Floore’s Country Store –Helotes – Outdoors
/w/ Green River
Standing Room Only! Tix $18 Advance/ $23 Door/ $5 extra for minors
Granger Smith – Midnight Rodeo – San Angelo – 8 p.m.
Jake Martin - Luckenbach - 4 p.m. No Cover
       /w/ Bryan Kennedy



Saturday – 30
Jean Syndonis – B.B. Rovers –  Austin -
/w/ Stefanie Fix
Thomas Michael Riley – Love & War – Plano –
Randy Rogers Band – Central TX Speedway –
/w/ Stoney LaRue - Sponsored by Nutty Brown Café!
The Hazardous Dukes – TFDownStairs – Celina
Aubrey Lynn ‘Waller’ England – The Loft Pizza & Pub – Whiteright
Blacktop Outlaw –Kiotee Club – Denison
Brenda Kay & Caprock Drifters – Nocona VFW –
Mark Allan Atwood & Brimstone – T’s Bar & Grill – Conroe - (Close to The Woodlands)
The Heather Roberts Band – Brazos Lounge – Mineral Springs
Scott Sturgeon – Filthy McNasty’s – Ft. Worth
/w/ Phil Wallace
Rod Ballou – Torino’s Pizza Bar – Midland
Jason Allen Band – Dosey Doe’s Café (Music Café) – Conroe
       /w/ Kenna Danielle
Tejas Brothers – Love & War – Grapevine
/w/ Cole Dillow Band 
$10 Cover. Crawfish Boil -$15
Granger Smith – Floore’s Country Store – Helotes - Indoors
/w/ James Lann
Tix - $10 Ad/ $12 Door/ $5 extra for Minors
Josh Grider - Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill - Dallas - 9 p.m.


Sunday – 31
Wilburn Bros.  Floore’s Country Store – Helotes 6-10 p.m. FREE
Family Night & FREE Dance Night!
Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars – Poodie’s Hilltop -Spicewood  - 4 p.m.
Bracken Hale – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood - 7:30 p.m.


Monday – April 1
Jeff Strahan hosts First Monday Blues Jam –
        Cheatham Street Warehouse – San Marcos – 9 p.m.


Tuesday – 2
No Shows Found

Wednesday – 3
Jon Wolfe – Dosey Doe’s Café (Music Café) – Conroe

AND THE WINNER IS.......

First off I want to thank those of you who kept me in the loop on twitter yesterday. And to my buddy Pauline Reese for stopping in and leaving a comment Friday evening. You're the best, lady!

So here's what you all have been waiting for:

Vocal Duo/ Group:
2-bit Palamino

Make Vocalist:
Mark Allan Atwood

Female Vocalist:
Ashlee Rose

Rising Star:
Parker Heights

Live Band of the Year:
Jason Helms Band

Musician of the Year:
Mark LaFon

Producer of the Year:
Jesse Sims

Broadcast Radio Station of the Year

Disc Jocky of the Year:
Roark Smith - KPFT- Houston

Song of the Year:
A Texan's Prayer - Robby White

Singer/ Songwriter of the Year:
Matt Harlan

Record of the Year:
Just Getting Started - Pauline Reese

Album of the Year:
Tired Eyes - The Washers

Cover of the Year:
Missing You - Smythe & Taylor

Entertainer of the Year:
Joe "King" Carrasco

Founders Awards presented throughout the evening included:

Historical Significance - Joe "King" Carrasco

Artist Excellence - Leyla Fences

Artist Excellence - Mike Amabile

Artist Excellence - The Bigsbys

My Texan - Gus Samuelson

Palmwood - Bruno Michel

Musical Event of the Year - Harestock 5

Lifetime Achievement - Wrecks Bell

Lifetime Achievement - Shake Russel

Whether you appeared in as a nominee, won in any particular category or just do what you do night in and night out... you are THE BEST IN TEXAS in this journalists opinion. 

Country Blessings for another Stellar year!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR nominees

Okay... so somewhere along the line I missed a day this week. LOL So today I'm shining the spotlight on the last two nominees for Texas Music Awards Entertainer of the Year.

john Arthur martinez- jAm to his friends - is one of the most easy going/ hard working/ down to earth people I've come across in this business so far. Then we add he is humble and diplomatic and a family man. Is it any wonder he is in this category alone for the FOURTH time, first winning the award back in 2006.

jAm has been on the nominees list for various awards nine times counting his three nominations this year. A quick recap, those three would be: Song of the Year for Tennessee Left Texas, Popular Cover Award (for his rendition of the Merle Haggard classic, Sing Me Back Home) and Entertainer of the Year.

I send Good Luck and Country Blessings!





Pauline Reese is one of my favorite ladies in Texas Music today. Why? Because this woman personifies the 'I Can Do It All' attitude. She is a doting mother, a country wife, a talented singer, songwriter, performer. Geez. The woman can cook, garden, take care of the critters and love on her babies... all while fresh lyrics run through her head. When we chat on twitter, I can hear the 'happy' in her voice. I can't wait for the day when we actually get to sit and talk.

In the mean time, let's talk about her music accomplishments as they relate to the Texas Music Awards. Since her debut on the Awards list in 2006 when she debuted as a nominee for Record of the Year with Cowboy Way - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Pauline has been nominated NINE times. PLUS in two different years (with 2 separate producers - John Burris and Justin Pollard) her albums resulted in Producer of the Year nominations for John and Justin respectively. John for 'TOO TEXAS -Live at Cherry Ridge" and Justin in 2012 for "Just Getting Started".

With all those nominations, she has three wins to her credit... including the honor of being the first FEMALE Entertainer of the Year - (2010)  Tomorrow, Pauline Reese will serve as Grand Marshall in the Texas Music Awards parade through Linden.

I send Good Luck and Country Blessing!

Linden TX is going to be one happening town tomorrow. Wish I could be there. Will you? Please stop and leave comments for any of our artists. I should have the complete Winners List posted Sunday morning.

Congratulations to all the nominees and Good Luck at the Music Barn and the Texas Music Awards!
Country Blessings - Kelly

THE PARTY LIST - March 21 - 27, 2013

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Until after the Texas Music Awards, I will only be showing TEXAS events. I will resume ON THE ROAD events beginning in April.

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

THURSDAY - 21
Cory Morrow – Cheatham Street Warehouse – San Marcos –
Wade Bowen – Denim & Diamonds – Witchita Falls
Mike Blakely – The Badu House – Llano – 7 p.m.
/w/ W.C. Jameson & Guest Freddy KRC
Casey Hubble – The Auslander – Fredricksburg - 6 p.m.
Kevin Fowler - Rodeo Austin -


FRIDAY - 22
Jack Ingram – Charline McCombs Empire Theater – San Antonio
/w/ Radney Foster, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis
Zane Williams – Outlaws & Legends Festival – Abilene
Wade Bowen – Big Texas Dance Hall – Webster
Cody Johnson Band – Rodeo Austin – Austin
          /w/ Kyle Park
Roger Creager – City Limits – Stephenville
Terri Hendrix – Carver Cultural Center – San Antonio – 8 p.m.
/w/ band including Lloyd Maines, Glen Fukunaga and John Silva
John Arthur Martinez – The Badu House – Llano – 7 p.m.
Steve Helms - Railhead BBQ - Willow Park - 8 p.m.


SATURDAY - 23
TEXAS MUSIC AWARDS – Music Barn – Linden TX – all-day event!

Mike Blakely – Hanger Hotel – Fredricksburg
Benefits the SPCA - /w/ Larry Nye, and Duke Davis
$40 includes: Dinner, Music + 2 drink tickets.
Still a few tickets left – 830-990-9085
Beans Barton & the Bi-Peds – Dan Electros Guitar Bar –
Thomas Michael Riley – Cedar Hall – Lockhart  - 8-11 p.m.
Merle Haggard – Outlaws & Legends Music Fest. – Abilene
John Arthur Martinez – Dos Lagos, Museum of the South Texas Ranch Gala –
San Manuel – 5 p.m.
John Arthur Martinez – Pecan Street Brewing – Johnson City – 7 p.m.
Arabella Jones – Uncorked Wine Festival- Walter Hall Park – League City – 7 p.m.
Gary Allen - Rodeo Austin -
Steve Helms - The Stockyards (Outside)  - Ft. Worth - 7:30
                 /w/ Tejas Bros.   COPS for KIDS event!
Casey Hubble - Fisher House BBQ -


SUNDAY –24
Tessy Lou Williams & The Shotgun Stars – Poodies Hilltop Roadhouse – Spicewood
John Arthur Martinez – Reunion Grill – Cedar Park
Cowboy Lunch
Steve Helms - Rockett Cafe & Club - Waxahachie -


MONDAY – 25
W.C. Jameson – Poodies Hilltop Roadhouse – Spicewood
Always a guest Plus it’s STEAK NIGHT!

TUESDAY - 26
Chris Albright – Poodies Hilltop Roadhouse – Spicewood
It’s HAPPY HOUR!

WEDNESDAY - 27
John Arthur Martinez – River City Grille – Marble Falls – 7 p.m.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR nominee - Joe King Carrasco

Joe "King" Carrrasco music is best described as Rock with a bit of Tex-Mex mixed in to remind you where he's coming from and a Latin beat to keep the party going to the wee hours of the morning. And you can't help but smile when you look at the link to his website - joeking - Sounds like joking. He's just a fun guy with a great sense of humor which only enhances his his amazing talent.

Joe has traveled all over the world sharing his party groove, has appeared on Saturday Night Live as well as multiple songs appearing on movie soundtracks such as "Tin Cup" and "Breathless".

In 2012, Joe was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Music Awards. He was the final act of the evening that year. He played on stage then ran through the audience only to return to the stage where he took a leap from a 4-foot drum rise WHILE STILL PLAYING his guitar.  Joe is here to show Texas Music isn't all about rubbing belt buckles and swigging longnecks.

We wish him well Saturday and send Country Blessings!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR nominee - Randy Brown

There's a reason Randy Brown is one of the nominees for Entertainer of the Year. He's THAT good!
Randy first appeared on the Texas Music Awards nominee list in 2007 for Record of the Year (Hard Face to Face). In 2008 he jumped out of the gate strong with FIVE nominations - one of which he won - Male Vocalist of the Year. And if you've not heard this man sing... yeah, there's a very good reason he won!
Over the course of 2010, 2012 and this year (2013), Randy has held four other nominee positions - twice for Record of the Year and for Entertainer of the Year.

Texas born and bred, this Fort Worth man grew up absorbing all the flavors of honky tonk, true Texas country as well as western swing.Whether performing acoustically or backed by a full band, Randy Brown delivers a quality performance everyone will enjoy. His wide range of vocal range and passion for good country music guarantees his ability to target all of his listeners at some point.

Wishing Randy Good Luck and Country Blessings come Saturday!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR - nominee - Mike Blakely

We are on the downhill slide to the Texas Music Awards in Linden Texas. The awards will take place at the Texas Music Barn Saturday March 23rd. News on Facebook this morning is there is to be a parade on Saturday morning to kick off the 11th annual event.

So this week I will be introducing you to the nominees for Entertainer of the Year.

MIKE BLAKELY is one of the most talented men on the planet. Yes, that's a personal opinion. I'm allowed. Mike and I have been friends for over twenty years. I have him and W.C. Jameson to thank for introducing me to Texas music.

Mike first appeared on the Texas Music Awards nominee list in 2005 with his (then) band - The Whiskey Traders for Vocal Duo/ Group of the year.  Mike also appeared in the Vocal Duo/ Group category two other times... with john Arthur Martinez (2008) and Thomas Michael Riley (2011).

He was first nominated for Entertainer of the year in 2006 and has appeared in this category FIVE times (counting this year).

If you check out Mike's page at My Texas Music you'll find a complete list of his albums... including many available for immediate download. (also two of his earlier albums that are ONLY available as a download)

When not traveling the country to perform for his fans, Mike and his lovely wife, Annie, open their barn (Tin Roof Tavern) on the Seven Stars for the occasional old-fashioned get together complete with potluck and BYOB.

Mike is also an award-winning author, with seventeen books in print, including one he co-wrote with Willie Nelson. We are all anxiously awaiting a story he co-wrote with Kenny Rogers (set to release soon) as well as a music business novel set in the 1970s. His fingers never still, he's now working on a novel about the Mexican War in the 1840s.

Like there isn't enough to fill the hours Mike, along with his wife and their friend Woody Eastman,  started booking Music/ Wine tours through their new business venture, Lone Star Wine & Music.

Entertainer of the Year? You bet. All around talented individual? Absolutely. A good ol' boy from Texas? They don't come much better.

Country Blessings!
Kelly

THE PARTY LIST - March 14, 2013

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Until after the Texas Music Awards, I will only be showing TEXAS events. I will resume ON THE ROAD events beginning in April.

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

THURSDAY 3-14
Kelly McGuire – Butler’s Courtyard – League City –
Up Close and Personal /w/ Larry Joe Taylor
W.C. Jameson – The Badu House – Llano
/w/ Mike Blakely & Mike Beck
Mandi Powell - Cruisin' Js - Montgomery - 7 p.m.
      /w/ Josh Ward


FRIDAY 3-15
Mark Allan Atwood – Sunday Creek Restaurant –
Acoustic
Blacktop Outlaw – Lugnutz Sports Bar & Grill – Nacodoches –8 p.m.
The Trishas – Scholz Beer Garten – Texas Music Magazine Party- Austin  6-7 p.m.
This event kicks off at 1 p.m.: Here’s the SCHEDULE
Pauline Reese - Lago Del Pino Restaurant – Tyler -
Larry Joe Taylor - Stingaree- Crystal Beach - 7 p.m. (Family event)



SATURDAY 3-16
**JAMMIN’ FOR BECKY – Wise Co. Museum Auditorium (1602 S. Trinity) – Decatur –
5-10 p.m. $10 at the door. Alcohol-Free event.

**TEXAS HISTORY DAY – Pioneer History Museum – Fredricksburg – All Day
Mike Blakely, Duke Davis and Larry Nye perform with a catered dinner
Seating is limited and Tickets going fast! Call 800-990-8441

Marcia Ball – Dosey Does Big Barn – The Woodlands - 8:30
The Black Lillies – Doesy Does Music Café – Conroe
/w/ Chuck Meade and His Grassy Knoll Boys
Randy Brown – The Mule Pub – Fort Worth – 9:30-12:30
/w/ Jordan Hendrix
Aubrey Lynn England – Ransom’s Steakhouse & Saloon – Montgomery
The Trishas – St. Joe’s Unplugged (Catholic Church listening room)  – Galveston –
Larry Joe Taylor - Matagorda Seafood Festival - Matagorda - $5
       /w/ Thomas Michael Riley plus the Tejas Brothers


SUNDAY 3-17
Mike Zito - Dosey Does Big Barn - The Woodlands - 7:30 p.m.


MONDAY 3-18
Larry Joe Taylor - T-Bird's Garage Pub - Stephenville -
         LJT Songwriting Contest



TUESDAY 3-19
Randy Brown – Railhead – Willow Park – 7:30-10:30
/w/ Thom Shepperd


WEDNESDAY  3-20
The Band of Heathens - Dosey Does Big Barn - The Woodlands - 8 p.m.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR - nominees

The success of any artist is only as powerful as the team they work with. Producers rank high on the list. It’s their job to bring out the best in the artist on a recording.

BILLY JO HIGH and ADAM ODOR 

for their work on TIRED EYES by The Washers

LYNDON HUGHES

for TRUE STORY by The Bigsbys

ADAM ODOR

for BURNED AT THE CROSS ROADS by Mark Allan Atwood & Brimstone

JESSE SIMS

for SMALL TOWN OUTLAW by Robby White & The Tejas Gringos

MARK SINKO

For SORROWS CREEK by the Jeff Keith Band

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR nominees

Musicians are a breed all their own, in my opinion. They can either compliment an vocalist’s style or throw them off balance. When you can find that perfect combination, the result is pure heaven. These five nominees know how to support their artist (or group) while still showcasing their own talent.

Brad Hobson (lead guitar and vocals) of The Bigsbys brings a blues/ indie-rock style to the group

Mark LaFon for his guitar performances on Small Town Outlaw by Robby White & The Tejas Gringos.

Charles Peters for his guitar performances on Open Your Eyes with Mike Amabile.

Tubie Pushee for his performances on When The Rubber Meets The Road with his band, The Touchtones.

Jack Saunders for his musical performances on Keith Rea’s album North Bound Train.

VOCAL DUO/ GROUP nominees

Five outstanding names represent the best in the best of Vocal Duo/ Group category for the 11th Annual Texas Music Awards. You’ll notice names we’ve been spotlighting in other categories.

2-Bit Palomino. Nominated for their performances on Rides Again, this powerful trio comprised of Bill Ward, Pete Renfree and Andi Renfree showcase what happens when you combine talented songwriting, beautiful harmonies and great instrumentals. They won this award with vocals on their first album back in 2011.

Jeff Keith Band. If you like your country a little raw with a folksy undercurrent, you’ll love the Jeff Keith Band. Like any group, the band has gone through changes since it’s inception. The end result is a perfect example of why they are nominated in this category for their vocals on Sorrows Creek.

Parker Heights have come out like a powerhouse this year, nominated in three categories. Their vocal support of one another is showcased beautifully on their self-titled album, with each bringing something a little extra something to the mix.

Smythe & Taylor are what happens when you combine two powerful talents into one dynamic. T.C. Smythe and Gary Taylor both came into this duo as strong artists in their own right and have been putting out top notch performances from the beginning. These Rosita Hills is the most recent album added to their case. They were nominated in four categories at the TMAs in 2006 and won this award in 2009.

The Washers provide a little something for everyone when they perform. Whether you like more the Americana, Texas-style country, a little Southern Rock or a mix of this and that, you will hear it from them. This group of five talented guys might seem a bit laid back but don’t let them fool you. What began as a mild tremor may very well be about to explode. Their Tired Eyes album puts them in this category as well as showing up in two others.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR/ POPULAR COVER - nominees

I love these two categories today. Sometimes it only takes one song to connect you with an artist. When that happens, you can't get enough... thus the Album. Clicking on the titles listed below will take you to MyTexasMusic where you can hear clips from the albums.

This year's nominees for ALBUM OF THE YEAR are:

 

 

BURNED AT THE CROSSROADS - Mark Allan Atwood & Brimstone

SMALL TOWN OUTLAW - Robby White & Tejas Gringos

TIRED EYES - The Washers

OPEN YOUR EYES - Mike Amabile

TRUE STORY - The Bigsbys


Are you ready for more great albums? This time it's all about the POPULAR COVER AWARD! Leave a comment and tell us your favorite Cover Tune! Again, clicking links will take you to My Texas Music where you can hear clips from all the nominees... and so much more!
Or you can go to the Nominees Page. Scroll down to Popular Cover and hear the full song!

CAREFREE HIGHWAY - Rick Busby (Gordon Lightfoot)

I CAN'T MAKE YOU LOVE ME - Ashlee Rose (Bonnie Rait)

MISSING YOU - Smythe & Taylor (John Waite)

SING ME BACK HOME - john Arthur martinez (Merle Haggard)

TIGER BY THE TAIL - Robby White & The Tejas Gringos (Buck Owens)

SINGER/ SONGWRITER/ SONG of the Year nominees

Yes, I know it's a lot to cover today. And trust me... I've learned what I have to do to spread things out a bit more next year. Each year fixes another chink in the cabin here in The Country. Thanks for hanging through the process.

Let's start with SINGER/ SONGWRITER of the YEAR.
Aside from a band that truly understands your vision for a song, there first has to be a vision. That's where the songwriter comes in. Sometimes the singer and the songwriter are often the same person - which means one less interpretation to muddy the water.

I'm starting off with one of my favorite ladies in the business, Connie Mims. Before this woman sings a note, I am smiling. Connie gives off a warm, inviting vibe that carries through into her folks-style tunes. I could spend a happy evening with a longneck listening to this woman perform.  Connie won this award in 2009.

Brennen Leigh is a nice mix of all things traditional. Aside from being a songwriter/ singer she is also talented on the Mandolin and can also be heard as part of the Carper Family - a bluegrass acoustical trio. Talk about tradition!
Her most recent CD ( 2011) THE BOX is chock full of down-home country with a little blues for flavor. Brennen has been nominated in a variety of categories at the Texas Music Awards since 2003 as well as winning Female Vocalist of the Year in 2005.

Michael Hearne is one of those guys that should instantly come to mind when you think Texas music. He is a legend and a genius when it comes to stringing words together with a diverse genre to entertain any audience. That might be why he has a recurring role in this category, having won it in 2012.

Matt Harlan is one of those singer/ songwriters you think about when you envision some guy traveling the country by bus with nothing more than a backpack and a guitar. His songs come from somewhere deep inside. It's no wonder he's been called 'A Troubadour of the first degree'. He was nominated for Album of the Year in 2010.

Brian Kalinec brings people to life in his blend of Folk and Americana style.
His 2012 CD, THE FENCE, gives you twelve examples of his amazing talent... a very small glimpse into the depth of his soul.  Brian is a recurring nominee with the Texas Music Awards. He's been here as a nominee in 2008 (Musician of the Year nom)  and 2009 (Singer/ Songwriter nom) plus being awarded the My Texas Award in 2012.






Thanks to people such as the afore-mentioned five, we have great songs to lift up our souls every minute of our life.  Songs like the ones nominated for SONG OF THE YEAR - 2013:

A TEXAN'S PRAYER - Robby White

GETTIN' THERE - Connie Sims

SOLDIER'S WIFE - Lou Ann Petty

TENNESSEE LEFT TEXAS - john 'jAm' Arthur martinez

WORD - Johnathan Dewveall


And there you have two categories we couldn't have Texas music without!

Good Luck and Country Blessings to all the nominees.

LIVE BAND OF THE YEAR nominees

WOW!

If there was ever any doubt about the music coming out of the great state of Texas, this category will set you straight. Five extremely talented bands spread their Texas Love!

Ladies first with the beautiful voice of Aubrey Lynn Rose and Yellow Rose. Americana at it's finest. This little lady puts it all out there. Her RAISIN' HELL  dishes out 11 tracks with a bit of soul undercurrent. If you listen close, you hear a little Joan Baez coming through on 'Pourin' Whiskey on My Broken Heart'.

 

Sammy Fox & The Intervention have been here before, having won the award in 2012. I love his EP - THE INTERVENTION. Don't let the hard-rocking image on the album cover fool you. This man has a voice 'slow and genuine' just like a track on the EP claims.

Jerry Audley and his band are pure country... with a bit of southern rock to liven up the place. Their album, AUDLEY ENOUGH, won Album of the Year at the TMAs in 2009. They were also nominated in this category in 2010. When I listen to Jerry and his band, I think of John Michael Montgomery.

If you're only as good as the people who back you, then the Jason Helms Band have all the pieces of the puzzle in place. are off to a kickin' start! With a total of three nominations in the TMAs this year, they are a band to watch... and learn from. If you don't believe me, check out their REDEMPTION CD.

Here's a mouthful of Texas you'll want to savor for a long time. Ben Morris & The Great American Boxcar Chorus.  These guys are not new to the Texas Music Awards. In the past they've been nominated in a variety of categories four times since 2009. They won this category in 2009 as well as Musician of the Year 2012 by guitarist Coby Tate (for his performance on There is No Fun in Funeral - title track from their most recent CD)

There you have the five nominees for Texas Music Awards Live Band of the Year - 2013. I have to tell you, voting was T-O-U-G-H!

Good Luck & Country Blessings!