Inspired by Tennessee’s rich and diverse music presence, the Tennessee Music Awards honored independent artists and industry professionals across every major genre statewide.
Tennessee music
About the Program
The Tennessee Music Awards created a statewide platform for artists, producers, venues, radio stations, publications, and more. Principally sponsored by the University of Memphis Lambuth’s Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, the annual red-carpet event celebrated legends, independent artists, and the people shaping Tennessee music.
The awards program has been discontinued.
Hall of Fame
Lifetime Achievement Award - Hall of Fame
Tina Turner
2019
Tina Turner
Turner won 12 Grammy Awards, sold more than 200 million records worldwide, and performed for a world-record 180,000 paid ticket holders at a single concert. A Tennessee native born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, she began her career in 1958 as a featured singer with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, first recording as Little Ann. Her public introduction as Tina Turner came in 1960 with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue single “A Fool in Love.” In the United Kingdom, she was the first female artist with a top 40 hit in six consecutive decades, earning 34 UK top 40 hits overall.
2018
Carl Perkins
Born in Tiptonville, Tennessee, Perkins was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. His songs were recorded by influential artists and friends including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash, securing his place in popular-music history. Paul McCartney famously said that “if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.”
2018
W.S. “Fluke” Holland
Born April 22, 1935, in Saltillo, Tennessee, W.S. Fluke Holland was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He played drums on the 1955 Sun Records recording of “Blue Suede Shoes” and performed on the Million Dollar Quartet session with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.
Celebrating Tennessee Talent
Award recipients
The program recognized independent performers and music professionals whose work helped define Tennessee’s sound.
Entertainer of the Year
2020–2021 A Band of Jones · 2019 No Time Flatt · 2018 Coopertheband · 2017 Bryan Moffitt
Americana Artist of the Year
2020–2021 Hunter Cross · 2019 Mandy Vixen & Gas Station Chicken · 2018 Patrick O’Connor · 2017 The Old Spirits
Blues Artist of the Year
2020–2021 Tyler Goodson · 2019 Joshua Singleton · 2018 Ghost Town Blues Band · 2017 Little Boys Blue
Bluegrass Artist of the Year
2020–2021 No Time Flatt · 2019 No Time Flatt · 2018 No Time Flatt · 2017 No Time Flatt
Country Artist of the Year
2020–2021 A Band of Jones · 2019 Cotton Clifton · 2018 Rev. Jessie & the Holy Smokes · 2017 Bryan Moffitt
Rock Artist of the Year
2020–2021 One Nyte Stand · 2019 One Nyte Stand · 2018 Jupiter Stone · 2017 The Genre Band
Female Vocalist of the Year
2020–2021 Liza Smith · 2019 Lauren “Lolo” Pritchard · 2018 Alexis Taylor · 2017 Kimberlie Helton
Male Vocalist of the Year
2020–2021 Will Burton · 2019 Josh Smith · 2018 Skyelor Anderson · 2017 Bryan Moffitt
Songwriter of the Year
2020–2021 Chelsea Rhodes · 2019 Will Burton · 2018 Josh Smith · 2017 Bryan Moffitt
Song of the Year
2020–2021 “Does It Have a Radio” by A Band of Jones · 2019 “Run Out of Road” by Will Burton and Cody Criswell · 2018 “Running Back to You” by Skyelor Anderson · 2017 “Gasoline” by Bryan Moffitt
Album of the Year
2020–2021 “Whiskey & Whitley” by Bryan Moffitt · 2019 “Heart of Stone” by David Ashley Trent · 2018 “Hard Blue Space” by Little Boys Blue · 2017 “Perfectly Imperfect” by Kaley Pearson & Kimberlie Helton
Music Venue of the Year
2020–2021 Ole Red, Gatlinburg · Bluebird Cafe, Nashville · Redbones, Jackson · 2019 Barley’s Taproom, Knoxville · Exit/In, Nashville · The Downtown Tavern, Jackson
The Tennessee Music Awards began in Jackson when Nathan Hunnicutt joined forces with Dr. Jeremy Tubbs and the Jackson Area Music Society. Together, they built an annual event that elevated artists, industry professionals, and the statewide music community.
A grand moment from the Tennessee Music Awards.
The program
Eligibility
Tennessee Music Awards eligibility
With the exception of the Lifetime Achievement Award, these awards honored independent performers statewide. Performers were eligible if they were born in Tennessee, had resided in Tennessee for a substantial period, or demonstrated a solid, regular Tennessee presence through live performances. Artists were expected to be actively touring or performing and/or to have newly recorded output within two years of the close of nominations. Performers were not eligible if they had a recording contract with a major label in their known musical field or had Top 40 success as a recording artist on a Billboard Albums or Singles chart.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Open to anyone, living or deceased, who was born in Tennessee or resided in Tennessee for a substantial period and contributed as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, engineer, disc jockey, promoter, or in another music-industry role. Their initial known achievements must have occurred at least 25 years before the award-show year.
Entertainer, female vocalist & male vocalist
Entertainer of the Year recognized the artist demonstrating the highest level of entertainment through recorded output, live performances, and public acceptance. Female and Male Vocalist of the Year recognized solo artists touring and recording under their own name or the lead vocalist of a group.
Genre & acoustic categories
Various Genre Categories were open to solo performers, duos, or groups fitting the category. Acoustic Act of the Year recognized a solo performer or duo performing as an acoustic act regularly on record and/or live.
Album, song & songwriting
Album of the Year recognized albums of eight or more songs released for purchase no more than two years before final nominations closed; reigning recipients could not repeat. Song of the Year recognized original songs released on an album, EP, or individually within that same two-year period. Songwriter of the Year recognized consistent original work or songs recorded by another artist and released for purchase during that period.
Producer & video
Music Producer of the Year recognized a producer born in Tennessee or resident for a substantial period who produced—not self-produced—recorded product for purchase within two years of the final nomination close. Video of the Year recognized a first-released music video accompanying a song by an eligible performer within that period; reigning recipients could not repeat.
Radio, publication & venue
Radio Station of the Year recognized Tennessee music stations or stations regularly featuring ample Tennessee music airplay. Radio DJ of the Year recognized Tennessee-based, non-syndicated disc jockeys who regularly played music. Publication of the Year recognized Tennessee newspapers or magazines featuring music regularly. Venue of the Year recognized Tennessee venues hosting concerts regularly. These recipients could not repeat in consecutive years.
Young Artist & instrumentalist categories
Young Artist of the Year recognized promising male, female, duo, or group performers who did not turn 18 before January 1 of the award year; recipients were no longer eligible in this category. Instrumentalist Categories recognized players active on studio recordings or in solo, duo, or group performances.
Program Note
Program Note: Categories could be modified, removed, or added, with changes updated here. Eligibility information was last updated May 3, 2019.
Community connections
Resources
Nashville Songwriters Association International
NSAI brings together songwriters of every genre, professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and future of songwriting.
West TN Delta Heritage Center
A Southern destination celebrating the music, culture, and beauty of the Tennessee Delta, serving guests since 1998.
Americana Music Association
A professional trade organization advocating for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world.
TN Music Teachers Association
TMTA supports meetings, conventions, student auditions, teacher certification, and annual Teacher of the Year recognition.
Tennessee Songwriters Association International
A hands-on organization for dedicated songwriters offering participation, song pitches and critiques, discussion groups with music professionals, and showcases.
Have an event or music opportunity to discuss?
Start a direct conversation about entertainment, events, and community-focused opportunities.
