DALLAS — The Texas Regional Radio Awards delivered a full night of star power and radio recognition Thursday, honoring the artists, songwriters and broadcasters shaping the Red Dirt and Texas country sound across the Plains and beyond.
Leading the artist categories, Aaron Watson was named Entertainer of the Year, continuing a career built on independence and a loyal fan base stretching from Texas through the Midwest.
Among vocal honors, Josh Weathers earned Male Vocalist of the Year, while Kylie Frey was named Female Vocalist of the Year, adding to her rising presence on Texas and regional radio. Frey also doubled up on the night, sharing Vocal Duo of the Year honors with Randall King.
The Randy Rogers Band took home Group of the Year and also captured Video of the Year for “Is This Thing Workin,” featuring Parker McCollum, giving the band one of the biggest nights of the show.
In recorded music categories, William Beckmann won Album of the Year for Whiskey, Lies & Alibis, produced by Jon Randall, while Wade Bowen claimed Single of the Year with “Nothin But Texas,” a staple on Texas country radio.
Songwriting was also front and center, with David Adam Byrnes earning the Brandon Jenkins Memorial Songwriter Award for “Last Cowboy Standing,” a nod to traditional themes that continue to resonate with rural audiences.
Special honors highlighted both legacy and impact. Legendary songwriter Paul Overstreet received a Living Legend Award, while Radney Foster was also recognized with a Living Legend Award for his decades of influence on Texas and Americana music.
The Humanitarian Award went to Josh Weathers and Kady Weathers for their “Love Like You Mean It” efforts, recognizing work beyond the stage that impacts communities across the region.
New and emerging talent was also recognized, with New Male Vocalist of the Year going to Tristan Roberson, New Female Vocalist to Sandee June, New Vocal Duo to Texas High Road and New Group of the Year to Ghosts of Hill Country. Future Faces winner honors went to Adysen Malek.
Beyond the stage, the event also spotlighted the backbone of the format—radio.
In the Super Market category, Shayne Hollinger was named On-Air Personality of the Year, while Station of the Year went to 95.9 KFWR The Ranch, a powerhouse Texas country station serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In the Large Market division, Rudy Fernandez earned On-Air Personality of the Year, with Station of the Year honors going to KMWX 92.5 The Ranch, continuing its strong presence in West Texas.
The Medium Market category recognized Justin McClure as On-Air Personality of the Year, with Station of the Year going to KZAH 99.1 The Buck.
In Small Market, Buzz Russell was named On-Air Personality of the Year, while Station of the Year honors went to KTTX 106.1 KTEX, a long-standing voice in Texas country radio.
Out-of-region recognition went to Joshua Roesener of KERP 96.3 The Marshal, reflecting the growing reach of Red Dirt music into cattle country across Kansas and the High Plains.
Digital and syndicated categories continued to expand, with Robert Miguel named Internet Personality of the Year, and Internet Station of the Year awarded to Red Dirt Texas Country, led by Lou Kelly. The station has built a strong following online and remains a key platform for independent Texas country artists.
Syndicated Program of the Year honors went to Red Dirt Proud, further highlighting the continued demand for Texas country content across multiple markets.
Other industry honors included Festival of the Year going to Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival, one of the longest-running gatherings in the genre, and Venue of the Year to Gruene Hall, widely recognized as Texas’ oldest dance hall.
Behind the scenes, Fort Worth Sound was named Studio of the Year, while AJ Vallejo earned Producer of the Year honors.
For The Ranch, the results highlight the continued strength of Texas and Red Dirt radio—from the artists on stage to the voices behind the microphone—keeping the format alive across ranch country, the Plains and the Midwest.