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

MARK ALLAN ATWOOD

Our Spotlight artist and Male Vocalist nominee for his vocals on Burned At the Crossroads today is Mark Allan Atwood. Mark comes to the Texas Music Awards category with a solid understanding of what it means to be a great songwriter and performer. With his dad's love of traditional country, his mom's vocal abilities from the 50's/ 60's and picking up his own choices in music genre's along the way, Mark is like a giant snowball rolling down the mountain. Like most musicians, everything he has come in contact with along his life's journey has influenced the sound he delivers in the now.

His current album, Burned At the Crossroads, showcases a classic Arlo Guthrie style voice beautifully in songs such as Strong Enough and She's Good. 

This is not Mark's first time on the TMAs. He was awarded the Rising Star in 2010 and the My Texan Award in 2012.

Good Luck & Country Blessings!

ASHLEE ROSE

I'm starting the line-up off this week with Female Vocalist nominee Ashlee Rose.

Ashlee Rose is a South Texas native. It's been my experience, that only good things come out of South Texas and this young lady is no exception.
She is a talented guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. With many nominations and awards to her credentials, you could say she cut her teeth on the music business.

When you click on her name, you'll be taken to her webpage where Ashlee greets you with a tune from her current album, Songs In A Suitcase. My Boots  is a kicky little song that shows her fun side. While other songs on the album such as Crazy Over You and I Can't Make You Love Me show a softer, romantic side.


No breathy lyrics from this lady. Her voice control for such a young age is amazing.

This isn't Ashlee's first trip to the TMAs. She is a former Rising Star Award winner (2004 - at age 15) as well as having been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year (2007).

Good Luck, Ashlee Rose and Country Blessings!

THE VOTES ARE IN!

The nominees for the Texas Music Awards have been posted and the Voting complete. Now all we have to do is sit on pins and needles until March 23, 2013 when the WINNERS will be announced. 

I've been compiling the lists, doing my research and will begin SPOTLIGHTING the nominees next Monday. With the exception of an abbreviated Party List, the regular posting schedule will be put on hold until after that date and I've posted the Winners List.

If you need something to do this weekend...

TONIGHT (Thursday): 

My friend W.C. Jameson is at The Badu House in Llano. His special guest is Kenny Williams. Music starts at 7 p.m. but get there early to enjoy great food and hospitality courtesy of Stan and Karalina Veneble 

Pierce Pettis - Dosey Doe Music Cafe in Conroe TX 

Friday, February 8th 

Janie Fricke is at Dosey Doe Cafe The Big Barn in TheWoodlands Click on the Dosey Doe link for all the details!

The Trishas! - Dosey Doe Music Cafe in Conroe TX

Saturday, February 9th

Andrew McKnight @ The Austin Acoustical Cafe - LeAnn Atherton opens. 7 p.m.

Tickets $15 at the door ($12 in advance) - 

BJ Thomas at Dosey Doe Cafe The Big Barn in The Woodlands.

Party Safe and Country Blessings!

Kelly

Back to Business

Man..

I did not intend to take this much time off for the holidays. But after working in December... something I have never done in the past... I just could not seem to get on track for the new year.

Well... there's nothing like the announcement of the Texas Music Award nominees to put you on track. I'll be showcasing as many of the nominees as possible beginning the 25th. Until then, why not scoot on over to the Texas Music Awards home page and cast your vote.

In the mean time, I'm trying to get some interviews caught up, Q & As out there and start running the Party List again.

Hang with me... I'm getting there.

Happy New Year and Country Blessings!