TEXAS MUSIC AWARDS - Shake Russell - Entertainer of the Year nominee

Our final nominee for Entertainer of the Year is Shake Russell

Shake comes to this year's awards with a list of honors in his guitar case. From the Texas Music Awards alone he's won:

Palmwood Award (2003)

Entertainer of the Year (2004)

Founders Award (2007)

Entertainer of the Year (2008 & 2011)

Vocal Group of the Year /w Shake Russell Trio (2008 & 2010)

Lifetime Achievement Honors (2013)

The Americana style of music is as hot today as it was in the 1960s and has been a part of who Shake is for over three decades. His songwriting talents have empowered artists like Waylon Jennings, Jessi Coulter and Ricky Skaggs. There's a lot of reasons Shake Russell belongs on this list.. but the biggest reason is SOUL. 

Shake Russell - My Texas Music

TEXAS MUSIC AWARDS - Freddie Steady Krc - Entertainer of the Year nominee

With only two days left until the big reveal, this week we spotlight Freddie Steady Krc

Freddie is a member of the Austin Music Hall of Fame. He has earned that honor and then some. Like most artists, he is a multi-accomplished musician. He feels every note he plays to a depth that it reverberates to the audience like few can accomplish. He is a legend.

Freddie Steady Krc - My Texas Music 

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TEXAS MUSIC AWARDS - Dave Fenley - Entertainer of the Year nominee

Our third nominee this week is known not only in Texas but nation-wide thanks to America's Got Talent.

Showcasing his amazing ability, Dave Denley made it through Week 1 of the Semi-Finals with tons of fan support.

Dave has won Male Vocalist of the Year with the Texas Music Awards in 2010, 2011, 2012.

Dave Fenley - MyTexasMusic

TEXAS MUSIC AWARDS - Aubrey Lynn England - Entertainer of the Year nominee

Today we highlight a very busy and very motivated woman in Texas music. Not only is Aubrey Lynn England a talented solo artist, but team her up with another artist like Mark Allan Atwood or Sean Franks from Chapter 11 and the result is nothing short of amazing. As if she doesn't have her own career to keep her busy, Aubrey has started her own booking agency - Texas Songbird Entertainment. Aubrey knows what is required in this business and shares her experience with new artists on a daily basis. 

Aubrey Lynn England - My Texas Music

TEXAS MUSIC AWARDS - Joe "King" Carrasco - Entertainer of the Year Nominee

As we go into the final week leading up to the Texas Music Awards, I will dedicate each day to showcasing the individual nominees in this category.

First up:  Joe "King" Carrasco  

Joe comes to us this year with a previous win in this category, having won in 2013. 

His 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.

Joe "King" Carrasco - My Texas Music

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

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- John Arthur Martinez

I've already told you about Pauline Reese, one of the nominees for Entertainer of the Year. So for our final nominee in this category, we look to Marble Falls, TX.

I’ve been hearing the name John Arthur Martinez for years. Among the many who have played weekend gigs with Mike Blakely, John was the first name I came to know. Aside from the two of them doing an album together back in 2007, ‘Blakely-Martinez’, they’ve also appeared on ‘A Texas Hill-Country Christmas’ and ‘Austin’s WB – Holiday Songs Benefiting the Austin Children’s Center’.

John Arthur Martinez has a velvet tone to his voice. The lyrics wash over you, creating a sense of peace. Whenever I hear him sing, I want to be sitting next to a camp fire somewhere with friends. Where the stars shine bright above, the beer is cold and the music makes you content to be just where you are… in that moment.

John made his first appearance in 2005, winning Record of the Year (‘Home Made of Stone’). The song can be found on his ‘Lone Starry Night’ album, which also features ‘The Armadillo Song’ – the official song of MTM Armadillo eZine. He was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year.

He took home the Entertainer of the Year award in 2006 beating out, among others, his buddy Mike. In 2008, John and Mike were nominated as Vocal Duo/ Group for their ‘Blakely-Martinez’ album. Another nomination was not forthcoming until 2010, when he won Record of the Year for ‘Utopia’, from his ‘Purgatory Road’ LP.

This year he’s back in the Entertainer of the Year category and up against Mike. Will this year be a repeat of 2006 for John? Whatever the outcome, I know one thing for certain. We are going to be enjoying his music for a long time.

Country Blessings!

Entertainer of the Year Nominee - Susan Gibson

Susan Gibson knows how to write a song. The CMA award-winning songwriter (“Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks spent 4 weeks at the top of the country charts) has spent the past fourteen years playing and promoting the Texas- Americana- Folk music she loves with her own personal style.

She also knows how to sing them. Her debut album, Tightrope, features songwriting pairing such as the ever-talented Michael Hearne. Both Susan and Michael are also nominated for Singer/ Songwriter of the Year as well as Song of the Year for ‘Evergreen’. Susan has a unique quality to her voice. It’s a tone you think you can place yet it’s uniquely her own.

Producers seem to have fallen into a rut of putting out what they think they can sell. They give you a ‘canned’ voice. Where it seems as if every female voice on the radio sounds like the one played before. This is not true of Susan. It’s refreshing to know when you hear a Susan Gibson song on the radio you’ll know by the voice – not the name of the song – who you’re listening to.

I will be surprised if this multi-talented woman doesn’t walk away with at least one award on Saturday night. Good Luck, Susan!

Country Blessings

Entertainer of the Year nominee - Randy Brown

Today I’m shining the spotlight on Randy Brown. I apologize for the lack of a picture. I’m still building up my files. But the lack of a photo doesn’t make him any less important on this list, or any less talented.

Randy is no stranger to the Texas Music Awards. He first appeared in 2007, when his song ‘The Johnny Bush School of Country Music’ was nominated for Record of the Year. 2008 gave him FIVE nominations including Entertainer of the Year and a win for Male Vocalist of the Year. In 2010, he reprised his appearance in this category. Can ‘third time’s the charm’ be on Randy’s playlist? 'My Days Are Numbered' is nominated for Song of the Year.

On Randy’s current album, 'High Price of Low Livin’, he does a beautiful version of Thomas Michael Riley’s ‘In The Garden’. Their voice qualities are similar, fitting the emotional richness of this song. The title track showcases Randy’s classic country style, while ‘Minnie the Moocher’ will transport you back to a jazz club in 1931.

Randy’s voice is immensely versatile, taking you places you didn’t even know you wanted to go. But I guarantee, you’ll be glad you made the journey. Good Luck, Randy!

Country Blessings

Final Female Vocalist Nominee- Pauline Reese

Pauline Reese is not new to the Texas Music Triangle. She has been nominated multiple times since her first appearance on the list in 2006 when she was nominated for Record of the Year. She followed that up in 2007 as a nominee for Female Vocalist of the year (Austin) and Entertainer of the Year as well as winning Album of the Year for ‘Too Texas’. She was nominated again in 2008 (site does not tell us in which category). In 2010 she came back strong being nominated for Entertainer of the Year again – and was the first female to win the coveted award!

If you missed last year’s write-up about Pauline, you can check it out HERE.

This year, she is up for Female Vocalist of the Year for her powerful crystalline voice on the title track of her current album, Just Getting Started. The album is also nominated for Album of the Year. And finally, you’ll find Pauline Reese under the nominees for Entertainer of the Year. Wow! Her producer, Justin Pollard, is nominated for Producer of the Year for his work on the Just Getting Started album. Can she make it a Home Run?

Pauline is one of the hardest-working, multi-tasking artists I’ve had the pleasure of covering and I wish her the best this year.

Country Blessings!

Pauline Reese

Don’t let this woman fool you. Pauline Reese is dubbed as one of the hardest working women on the Texas/Red Dirt scene. A quick read of her short bio at www.paulinereese.com will tell you she keeps on the move more than a tumbleweed in a windstorm.

Pauline writes and performs her own music yet she is comfortable enough in who she is to make previous chart-topping songs hers. The Shel Silverstein song, Cover of the Rolling Stone is the title track from her most recent album which also includes the George Jones classic I Always Get Lucky. She has also shared billing with top-notch talent such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Gary P. Nunn, Mark Chestnut, Johnny Rodriguez,

With a crystal voice, Pauline takes you to the Banks of the Guadalupe. Feet Don’t Touch the Ground is enough to send any woman looking for a cowboy to slow dance with.

Pauline won TMA Album of the Year in 2007 for Too Texas, Live at Cherry Ridge (see review of this album at http://www.mytexasmusic.com/paulinereese/ ). With a history of nominations at the TMA’s, this one for Entertainer of the Year comes as no surprise.
It would sure be nice to see a woman’s picture on the home page of www.mytexasmusic.org as Entertainer of the Year 2010.

Sending Country Blessings your way, Pauline.
Kelly