Published: March 19, 2009 10:18 pm      

Tickets available for Texas Music Awards on April 26

PALESTINE — Tickets are now on sale for a red carpet event — the 7th annual Texas Music Awards set for April 26 at the Palestine Civic Center . 

Legendary cowboy singer/songwriter Michael Martin Murphey will host the event and perform a concert after the awards show.

The show, presented this year by Northeast Texas-based MyTexasMusic.com, the retail partner of the show’s production company, Payline Productions, presents awards to independent Texas performers in several categories.

Scheduled to perform are Frankston’s own Crystal Sands, as well as Jerry Audley, DeAnne Moore, Connie Mims, Danny Everitt, Derek Aramburu, Dewveall, Brian Kalinec, Joe Forlini, Smokey Wilson, Cody Riley Band, Tres Womack, Ben Morris, Hank Woji, Cornell Kinderknecht, David Lutes, John Evans, Moon and the Starz, Smythe and Taylor, Highspeed Hayride, Gaylynn Robinson and Tubie Pushée.

Jinelle Boyd, Executive Director of the Academy of Texas Music Inc. and co-founder of the Texas Music Awards commented on the quality of the show. 

“These are some of the greatest performers in Texas,” Boyd said. “They’re independent musicians making the music that the world will be listening to in the future.”

Nominees will arrive to a red carpet affair starting at noon on April 26. The show will begin at 2 p.m. and the concert will begin around 6 p.m. Those who hold tickets to the awards show will be admitted to the concert at no charge.

Sponsorships are still available for the 7th annual awards show and range from $250 to $25,000. Each level of sponsorship comes with a pre-determined number of tickets and access to the VIP party, so this is a sure way to get good seats and support the mission of the Academy of Texas Music, Inc.

“The sponsorship packages are designed to meet the needs of a vast array of potential sponsors — families, individuals, clubs, small businesses, and large corporations,” Boyd said. “The Academy relies on the generosity of sponsors to not only insure an amazing showcase, but to help continue the Academy’s mission. We are very grateful to our sponsors who signed on early this year, and encourage anyone who wishes to support such a wonderful cause to join our family.”

This year, there will be a golf tournament and some showcase concerts around town on Friday and Saturday nights leading up to the awards show. Information is available on the Web site.

“Even though the civic center has over 1,300 seats, only about 700 tickets will be available to the public,” Boyd said.

The tickets are priced at only $25 and $35 and include access to the awards show and the Michael Martin Murphey concert. 

The annual event also serves as a fund-raiser for the non-profit Academy of Texas Music, Inc. which seeks sponsorships and donations to further its efforts toward music education programs, scholarships, recognition projects, and benevolence programs for musicians in need.

“We encourage all Texas music fans to come join in this unique celebration,” Boyd said.

For more information on tickets, awards or sponsorships, visit www.texasmusicawards.org.