10th annual Texas Music Awards^TM
Nominee Information
Categories are in no particular order, nominees are in
a pre-determined alphabetical order within category;
some by last name, some by group name, some by project name.

Voting is Jan 17th - Jan 31st

As you know, the Texas Music Awards are open to all members of the Academy of Texas Music, Inc. 
Many categories require a release within the qualifying period. 
If you feel that there are too many artists in one particular genre, please help by
encouraging artists in all facets of Texas music to join the Academy. 
We look forward to the day when there can be awards in every genre. 
That can only happen when more artists join and release qualifying projects. 
Until then, you may have a Country artist being voted on next to a Rock artist or a Christian artist.
Thanks for understanding the process and thanks for your support
 

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member (male only) Eligible genre:  Any   Criteria:  Must appear on qualifying project    Guidelines:  The entire project is considered, but a single song can be the basis of the nomination.  Considerations are made for dynamics, emotional input, and creative delivery.  A driving factor for the nomination will be the ability to describe the performance as “memorable.” Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the project are studied.

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member (female only) Eligible genre:  Any    Criteria:  Must appear on qualifying project    Guidelines:  The entire project is considered, but a single song can be the basis of the nomination.  Considerations are made for dynamics, emotional input, and creative delivery.  A driving factor for the nomination will be the ability to describe the performance as “memorable.” Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the project are studied.

DUO OF THE YEAR

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member who performs primarily as a collection of at least three performers and, as a standard part of their normal performances, demonstrate vocals as a significant feature of their performance. One-time collaborations can also be eligible. Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Must appear on qualifying project  Guidelines:  The entire project is considered, but a single song can be the basis of the nomination.  Considerations are made for harmony vocals, diversity and/or creativity in the use of vocals as an instrument, dynamics, emotional input, and creative delivery.  A driving factor for the nomination will be the ability to describe the performance as “memorable.” Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, use of multiple vocalists, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the project are studied.

RISING STAR AWARD

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member  Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Performer should show remarkable promise for future endeavors.  Guidelines:  A Member’s released material during the qualifying period is considered.  Considerations are made for public presence, online presence, listener approval, airplay, career involvement, and potential for a high level of future notoriety and career advancement.  Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the Member’s qualifying project are studied.

BAND MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  A band member appearing on an Academy Performing Member’s qualifying release.  Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Musician should be a regular member of the eligible group, and not just hired to perform on eligible project.  Musician must deliver an outstanding performance.  Guidelines:  The entire project is considered, but a single song can be the basis of the nomination.  Considerations are made for dynamics, innovative use of technology, demonstration of skill, and creative delivery.  A driving factor for the nomination will be the ability to describe the performance as “memorable.”  Quality factors:  Performance, production, arrangement, and delivery of the musical selection are studied.  The entire project is also studied for overall quality.  Packaging is allowed to be a factor.

STUDIO MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  The producer of an eligible Academy Performing Member’s project.  This can be the Member or a person hired by the Member to produce the project. Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Must appear on qualifying project; the person considered must be listed on the project as the producer and cannot be listed solely as the executive producer.  Person considered must have had creative control of the project with or without the input of the Performing Member.  Guidelines:  The entire project is considered.  Considerations are made for song flow, recording quality, continuity, arrangement, listener appeal, creative uses of technology, marketability to audio-only performance venues, and overall sound.  Quality factors:  Clarity, both traditional and innovative instrumentation, dynamics, proper uses of enhancements, and packaging of the project are studied.

LIVE BAND OF THE YEAR

SONG OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member and any co-songwriters Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Must be written or co-written by Member, must appear on qualifying project  Guidelines:  Song will be a great example for songwriters, considerations are made for musical hook, lyrical hook, melody, and structure.  Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the project are studied.

SINGER / SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member  Eligible genre:  Singer/Songwriter, predominantly acoustic  Criteria:  Performer should deliver the best vocal, musical, and songwriting performance.  Guidelines:  A Member’s entire career during the qualifying period is considered.  Considerations are made for public presence, online presence, community involvement, listener approval, notoriety, airplay, career involvement, career advancement, and Texas pride.  Above all, the recorded material should contain quality lyrics, clarity of delivery, dynamics, emotional input, and creative delivery.  Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the Member’s qualifying project are studied.  Production quality should be high and the project should be lyrically sound, demonstrating the performers songwriting ability.

RECORD OF THE YEAR
10th TMA anniversary special
10 nominees

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member  Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Recording must appear on qualifying project and the Member must be able to demonstrate a minimum of 200 spins within the qualifying period.  Spins can be either through traditional broadcast, Internet, or satellite methods.  Appearance on respected musical chart listings which delineate the popularity of songs is required and such listings must substantiate the basis of their respective charts.  Guidelines:  A recording is considered.  Considerations are made for mass marketability, notoriety, being covered by additional performers, wide-reaching impact, and fan base approval.  Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the project are studied.
This award will be determined 100% by public vote this year.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member  Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Album should display all the elements expected in the promotion of fine Texas music.  Guidelines:  A full album project is considered.  Considerations are made for mass marketability, song flow, song selection, and fan base approval.  Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the project are studied.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to:  Academy Performing Member  Eligible genre:  Any  Criteria:  Performer should exemplify the true spirit of Texas and the music of Texas. Guidelines:  A Member’s entire career during the qualifying period is considered.  Considerations are made for public presence, online presence, community involvement, listener approval, notoriety, airplay, career involvement, career advancement, and Texas pride.  Quality factors:  Vocal delivery, musical performance, production, arrangement, and packaging of the Member’s qualifying project are studied.

DISC JOCKEY OF THE YEAR

This award is decided 100% by public vote.

BROADCAST RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

POPULAR COVER
AWARD

ACADEMY AWARD OF DISTINCTION