Texas Music Awards voting

The deadline is nearing to cast a vote for nominees for the 2009 Texas Music Awards. Voting ends Friday for the awards, which will be presented here at the Civic Center on Sunday, April 26. To be eligible for an award, these artists have to be members of the Academy of Texas Music and the categories generally (with some exceptions) are for the 2008 calendar year. Two of the nominees have local ties - KBHT 93.5 FM DJ Dave Wheaton, nominated for Disc Jockey of the Year, and singer Crystal Sands of Frankston, nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and the Rising Star Award. Many of those nominated are familiar to fans of Texas country music, whether through radio air play, Internet radio and videos or live shows around the state. Probably the most well-known name among this year's nominees is Michael Martin Murphey, nominated as co-producer of his album "Ridin' the Rio Grande," and for Entertainer of the Year. Murphey had big commercial success in the 1970s with "Wildfire" and "Carolina in the Pines" and is a member of the Western Music Hall of Fame. Murphey will be performing the after-awards show concert, as well.