Published: May 04, 2008 02:06 am            

Shaking the Civic Center

Shake Russell wins top TMA honor

PALESTINE — Singer-songwriter Shake Russell became the first performer to win more than one Academy of Texas Music Entertainer of the Year awards, claiming his second Saturday night during the Sixth Annual Texas Music Awards.

Held at the Palestine Civic Center for the first time, the award show honored the top musicians who belong to the non-profit Academy of Texas Music. Votes were cast by the general public and members of the Academy of Texas Music.

The show was hosted by legendary Texas country music performer Gary P. Nunn, who introduced musical acts and later performed the closing set.

For Russell, who also won Entertainer of the Year in 2004 as well as a Palmwood Award in 2003 and Founders Award in 2007, receiving the continued support of fans and other musicians alike is special.

“It’s like some of the nominees said, it’s from your peers,” said Russell, whose band, Shake Russell Band, was named Vocal Duo or Group of the Year as well. “It’s nice to have an audience every night who’ll come out and hear you but something like this, it’s an honor.”

Russell was one of several award winners Saturday at the TMA.

Other winners included Troy Allan, Male Vocalist of the Year; Kacey Musgraves, Female Vocalist of the Year; Robert Frith, Singer/Songwriter of the Year; Katie Rae Davis, Rising Star of the Year; Lloyd Maines, Producer of the Year for “Roll” by Kevin Deal; Big John Mills, Musician of the Year for “Tributes, Heartaches & Texas;” Mark Zeus, Song of the Year for “Cried Enough;” Kelly McGuire, Album of the Year for “Boat in Belize;” Jimmy Kaiser, Record of the Year, for “Pass Me That Bottle;” Texas Renegade, Live Band of the Year; J.B. Cloud, Disc Jockey of the Year, KBCY 99.7 FM in Abilene; KFAN FM 107.9 in Fredericksburg, Broadcast Radio Station of the Year; and Radio Free Texas, Internet Radio Station of the Year.

In addition, Tommy Hooper and Lana Hughes each won Palmwood Awards for their work in promoting Texas music and Scottie Lee Sheffield was presented with the My Texan Award.

Although Musgraves drew national attention after making one of the top 10 finalists on the fifth season of “Nashville Star,” winning the TMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year meant a great deal to the 19-year-old from Mineola.

“It means everything to me because you can go out there and play as many live shows as you want to but what really matters is what your peers think of you, people in your scene,” Musgraves said. “This is the Texas music scene and it means they approve of what I’m doing and what I love to do so it really does mean a lot to me.

“I’m so young, I’m 19 and it helps my confidence and it really makes me feel good about myself, so I like it.”

Musgraves currently has a new band from Cincinnati and is writing more songs.

“I’m trying to get better and better, and I’m going to go out on the road and play,” Musgraves said.

Academy of Texas Music board chairman Lucky Boyd and his wife Jinelle, who co-produced Saturday’s awards show, said organizers were happy with the event, which moved from Linden to Palestine this year.

“We’re real excited about the success of the show,” Boyd said. “It was an excellent display of the great talent that exists in Texas and every nominee here is a winner. It’s great to see everyone show up as a family and get to see each other again, hang out and share stories and really solidify what we do as Texas musicians, year in and year out. It was a great event.

“The city opened their arms and said, ‘Come to Palestine,’ and we came. They did a great job.”

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Beth Foley may be contacted via e-mail at bfoley@palestineherald.com

        

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