The 8th Annual Texas Regional Radio Music Awards show was held in the Arlington Music Hall on March 2nd & 3rd. I had the privilege of attending on the 3rd with a Press Pass and two photographers in tow.
“I never got in the music business to win awards,” said Male Vocalist of the Year nominee, Jamie Richards. “I just got in the music business to make music and if I win an award that’s extra. So that was it for me and I’m thrilled to be nominated.”
I think what Jamie vocalized could be echoed by all of the nominees for these awards. Any artist who truly loves what they do shines in the crazy business of playing music.
Larry Joe Taylor produces the largest music festival in the State of Texas yearly in Stephenville. The Larry Joe Taylor (or LJT) Music Festival was up for an award as the best music festival. I asked Larry Joe what the nomination meant to him.
He replied, “Well, this is our seventh or eighth nomination and we’ve won all of them. It’s always a pleasure to be nominated for something that we love so much and that we’ve worked so hard to create. We just hope everyone else loves the festival as much as we do. Win or lose, we still feel like we are the best festival around. This year will be our thirtieth year, so we must be doing something right.”
I completely agree with Larry Joe!
And then, I had the chance to interview Sundance Head, winner of The Voice Season 6. I asked what this nomination meant to him.
“Well, winning The Voice was awesome, but it’s more important to me, to be recognized by my peers back in my home state,” Sundance said. “I’ve worked really hard to gain respect in Texas radio and become part of the family. I had just really kind of got in there before The Voice. I still never had a number one on the charts until after The Voice, so I think that gave me a little boost. But, this nomination is very important to me. I love being from Texas. I respect all the musicians and artists on the radio and the way that they handle everything.”
What’s next for Sundance Head?
“We are getting ready to release our record to the nation. I just finished recording it in Nashville at Ocean Way with Buddy Cannon and Dean Dillon producing. Dean has some cuts on the record as well as Jamey Johnson, J.T. Harding, and Sean McAnally who just won songwriter of the year. This record is full of integrity and I’m hoping it will be one of the best country records to come out in the last twenty years,” Sundance explained.
When will the record be released?
“It will be landing at the end of March or first of April.”
So, we’ll have to keep an eye out for the new Sundance Head music!
All of the performers at the show did an amazing job, but the ones that blew me away were GRIT. That stands for Girls Raised in Texas. They sang acapella and the harmonies were nothing short of amazing.
Other performers of the night were Guthrie Kennard, Gus Samuelson, Sundance Head, Bradley Banning, and Jamie Richards.
And the winners are:
It was a great night for me. I got to visit with lots of old friends.
A parting kiss.
A HUGE Thank you to Robert Keith and Darleen McAdams for all the great photos!
Thank you, Judy. I appreciate you stopping by!
Job well done Jan! You add so much to your interviews, experience, and writing skills. You put the reader right there with you. As always, you’re looking great!
What a thrill, Jan! I see the excitement all over your face. I checked out GRIT on YouTube… Fabulous! Such powerful voices. Thanks for introducing them to us. Hugs, sister ❤
They are an amazing group of ladies for sure! Thanks, Tina. Hugs to you too!
Thanks for the look into the Texas music scene, Jan. It must have been a wonderful time for you.
Thanks, John. I truly enjoy the entire aspect of the Texas Music scene!
Looks fun for sure.
I loved all the pictures, you looked great! Wonderful interviews! Good to see Sundance there I loved him on The Voice:) I enjoyed seeing the reporter side of you…looks like a blast!
Thanks, D.L. I appreciate you stopping by!
Wonderful, Jan! I can feel your enthusiasm for this event and the photos are fantastic. Music is clearly in your heart 🙂
Thank you, Mae. I enjoyed it immensely!
Looks like a good time, but Stephenville sounds like an even better time.
Oh, my goodness, Craig, LTJ Music Festival has grown unbelievably – over 50,000 every year and the majority of the crowd is college age kids. Just crazy!!
There is a blues festival across the river in Oregon we’ve want to attend for year. You simply can’t get a ticket or a camp site. Booked years in advance.
Wow, Jan! This is a superb post. I enjoyed it hugely. I love acapella harmonies — or any harmony. I’ll keep an ear out for GRIT. Hugs!
Thanks, Teagan for dropping by and leaving a comment. I am glad you enjoyed the post. I do believe there are some YouTube videos of GRIT. Hugs back, my friend. ,
Checking out YouTube, Jan, but I too would love to know where I could find Grit’s new one when it comes out.
And it is a lovely attitude from the winner. Enjoy what you do and awards are a bonus.
Ah! I’ve just seen your answer to Teagan. I’ll search for Grit too.
Hugs from the other side of the pond, where we are expecting more snow!
Hi, Sarah. I found this YouTube Video that showcases their harmonies pretty good. They are amazing ladies! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isc4HQtSG08 Thanks so much for stopping by. Hugs!
My hometown, Stephenville, is represented so well. Thanks Jan for a very interesting and fun time. Loved the pics!
Thanks for stopping by Jerri!
Jan- this was wonderful thanks for sharing. Wow to see my hometown, Stephenville listed several times and LJT Festival as a winner plus our internet radio station. This was beyond awesome. Great interviews thanks for sharing. You’re the best!!!
Love you!!
Lots of great music stuff happening in Stephenville these days. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by. I do hope you are feeling better. Love you!
Jan, this looks like a lot of fun and you look great in reporter mode – great questions and answers from the guys! 😀 even a kiss at the end … I like how so many commented on working for the music, any awards are a bonus, the sign of a true artist in any field! Congratulations to everyone and you too on a brilliant set of interviews. – I loved the post. Now off to check out GRIT – they seem to have lots of energy and sound wonderfully original!
I do love interviewing, Annika. Most of the time, it is all done over the phone, so for an opportunity to interview in person was an added bonus. You are so right about the true sign of an artist being their love for the art. Thanks so much for stopping by. I do think there are some YouTube videos of the girls. Enjoy!