2005 MTM Texas Music Awards
Nominee Information

We recommend that you print this sheet, visit all the pages and experience the sounds associated with each nominee.  Then make your notes on the sheet you've printed.  When finished, return and record your vote.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Given to the Male Member Artist appearing on a qualifying album who delivers the best vocal performance.  Criteria may include dynamics, emotional input, creative delivery, quality, and memorable performance.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded to a Member in any genre.
The nominees are:  

Visit their page for info and sound
Mike Clifford Click here
Craig Dillingham Click here
Quincy Harper Click here
Jay Johnson Click here
Mark Jungers Click here
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Given to the Female Member Artist appearing on a qualifying album who delivers the best vocal performance.  Criteria may include dynamics, emotional input, creative delivery, quality, and memorable performance.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded to a Member in any genre.
The nominees are:  

Visit their page for info and sound
Mindy Hughes Click here
Brennen Leigh Click here
Lynn Logan Click here
Jen Rathbun Click here
Jean Synodinos Click here
VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Given to the Member Artist appearing on a qualifying album as a duo or group who delivers the best vocal performance.  Criteria may include dynamics, emotional input, creative delivery, quality, and memorable performance.
The nominees are:  

Listen to 20 second clips
Back At The Ranch Click here
Mike Blakely
and The Whiskey Traders		 Click here
Jiggernaut Click here
Sprague Brothers Click here
Lil' Bit and The Customatics Click here
RISING STAR AWARD
Given to a Member Artist who releases a debut album or EP released within the qualifying period and shows remarkable promise for future endeavors.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded to a Member in any genre.
The nominees are:  

Details
5 Mile Band Click here
Anthill Society Click here
Dog Men Poets Click here
Robby Abel
and The Gringo All-Stars		 Click here
Highspeed Hayride Click here
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Given to a musician appearing on a qualifying album who delivers an outstanding musical performance.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded to a musician in any genre.  This award may be given to any musician appearing on a Member's release, or to the Member, if the Member is the qualifying musician.
The nominees are:  

Listen
Brian Duarte
Lead Guitar
Lil' Bit and The Customatics		 Click here
to hear Brian
Mark Lafon
Lead Guitar
Jay Johnson Band		 Click here
to hear Mark
Jim Harrington
Bass Guitar
Jay Johnson Band		 Click here
to hear Jim
Kasey Klepfer
Harmonica
Texas Renegade Band		 Click here
to hear Kasey
Matt Otavka
Lead Guitar
Mercury Legion		 Click here
to hear Matt
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Given to the producer responsible for the qualifying album which delivers the highest sound quality.  Criteria include song flow, arrangement, enhancement, continuity, and listener enjoyment.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded in any genre.
The nominees are:  

Learn more
Jason Allen
3am
Texas Renegade Band		 Click here
Billy High
White Man's Blues
Smokey Wilson		 Click here
Robert Metzgar
and Tony Migliore
Coffee, Chocolate and Men
Jen Rathbun		 Click here
Chris Nichols
It's A Wonderful Life
Mercury Legion		 Click here
Larry Nye and Mike Blakely
Any Sky
Mike Blakely		 Click here
SONG OF THE YEAR
Given to the Member Artist and songwriter(s) who write(s) the song appearing on a qualifying album which sets a great example for songwriters.  Criteria may include musical hook, lyrical hook, melody, and structure.  This award is given to the Member and the songwriter.  This is a cross-genre award and a song from any genre can win the award.
The nominees are:  

Listen
"Best I Can"
Jarrod Birmingham
Jarrod Birmingham, Songwriter		 Click here
"I Forgot I Don't
Live Here Anymore"
Sherwin Phillips
Brian Burns, Songwriter		 Click here
"Josephine"
Jay Johnson
Jay Johnson, Songwriter		 Click here
"Nothin' To Say
(Austin vs. Nashville)"
Brian Burns
Brian Burns, Songwriter		 Click here
"Stepping Stone"
Smokey Wilson
Smokey Wilson, Songwriter		 Click here
SINGER / SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Given to the Member Artist who delivers the best vocal, musical, and songwriting performance in the Singer/Songwriter genre.  Criteria include visibility, performance quality, and with respect to recorded music: lyrics, clarity of delivery, dynamics, emotional input, creative delivery, quality, production, and memorable performance.  This is a genre-specific award and must be awarded to a Member in a genre which typically features singer/songwriters in predominantly acoustic performances.
The nominees are:  

Listen
Steve Brooks
Austin, TX		 Click here
Tommy Elskes
Albuquerque, NM		 Click here
Ken Gaines
Houston, TX		 Click here
Lu Mitchell
Dallas, TX		 Click here
Gary Taylor
Houston, TX		 Click here
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Given to the Member Artist who releases a song appearing on an album which has wide-reaching impact.  Criteria may include comparative items such airplay of a minimum of 200 documented spins within the qualifying period, notoriety, and number of times covered, but must include fan base approval and listener appeal.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded to a recording in any genre and does not have to be released withing the qualifying period.
The nominees are:  

Listen
"Call Me Sometime
When You've Been Drinking"
Craig Dillingham
Craig Dillingham, Songwriter		 Click here
"Comin' Home"
John Vandiver
John Vandiver, Songwriter		 Click here
"Home Made Of Stone"
John Arthur Martinez
John Arthur Martinez, Ande Rasmussen, and Steve Seskin, Songwriters		 Click here
"Leave Me A Lone Star"
5 Mile Band
Cody Cotton, Songwriter		 Click here
"Texas Dance Hall (Schroeder)"
Smokey Wilson
Smokey Wilson, Songwriter		 Click here
DISC JOCKEY OF THE YEAR
Given to the Disc Jockey who plays a great variety of Texas music, supports local entertainment, attends Texas music events, is always willing to listen to a new artist, and doesn't buy into the stereotypes created by corporate decision-makers.
The nominees are:    
Justin Frazell 99.5 The Wolf - Dallas, TX
Jeremy Halliburton Texas Radio 98.7 - Victoria, TX
Kelley Peterson Kicks 99 FM - Odessa-Midland, TX
Mattson Rainer KNBT FM - New Braunfels, TX
Leslie T. Travis 100.3 KILT FM - Houston, TX
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Given to the Member Artist who releases a qualifying album which displays all the quality expected in the promotion of fine Texas music.  Criteria include packaging, sound, song quality, performance, delivery, listener appeal, production, and song selection.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded to an album in any genre.
The nominees are:  

Details
Birth Of The Cool
Dog Men Poets

Click here
Heavy Weather
Brian Burns		 Click here
Live and Kickin'
at Schroeder Hall
Jarrod Birmingham		 Click here
One For The Crow
Mark Jungers		 Click here
Royal Blue Moon
Jay Johnson		 Click here
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Given to the Member Artist who exemplifies the true spirit of Texas music.  Criteria include public presence, online presence, community involvement, listener approval, notoriety, airplay, career involvement, career advancement, and Texas pride.  This is a cross-genre award and can be awarded to a Member in any genre.
The nominees are:    
Tommy Alverson Click here
Jarrod Birmingham Click here
Cosmic Dust Devils Click here
Jay Johnson Click here
John Arthur Martinez Click here