Weekend

The Texas Music Awards will kick off at 2 p.m. today at the Palestine Civic Center.

Promoters promise patrons will see some great acts, listen to top-notch tunes and experience an exciting awards show.

More than a dozen Texas acts representing several musical genres will take the stage during the show, said Susan Cottle-Leonard, director of tourism and conventions at Palestine Conventions and Visitors Bureau.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.texasmusicawards.org.

Gary P. Nunn of the Lost Gonzo Band is set to host the show.

Scheduled to perform during the show are Shake Russell, The Hanshaws, Kelly McGuire, Troy Allan, The Bad Monkeys, Carissa Amberly, Kevin Deal, ShAnnie, Big John Mills, Kacey Musgraves and others.

"These may not be well known but they are all great performing professionals," Ms. Cottle-Leonard said. "They are not amateurs."

Categories of awards include Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, Producer of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, the Rising Star Award, Musician of the Year, Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Disc Jockey of the Year, Live Band of the Year, Broadcast Radio Station of the Year and Internet Radio Station of the Year.

Nominees for Entertainer of the Year are Smokey Wilson, Shake Russell, Jarrod Birmingham, John Arthur Martinez and Doug Moreland.

Ms. Cottle-Leonard said guests will begin arriving about noon and will walk the red carpet into the auditorium.

An after-party show is set for 6 p.m.

Those who have tickets to the awards show will be admitted to the after-party at no charge.

Performances at the after-party include Ryan T. Briggs and the Redneck Hippies, The Randy Brown Band, The Dust Devils, David Lee Kaiser and the Joint Chiefs and Texas Renegade.

For more information on the event, visit www.texasmusicawards.org.

Country artists Kacey Musgraves (above), Carissa Amberly, The Hanshaws and ShAnnie will perform at the Texas Music Awards today in Palestine. More than a dozen Texas acts representing several musical genres will take the stage during the show. Tickets can be ordered online at www.texasmusicawards.org.
(Staff File Photo by Herb Nygren Jr. and)