Inductees |  Nomination Process

"Rick Smith" Spirit of Texas Award

The Spirit of Texas Award was established to recognize those individuals whose lives and accomplishments epitomize the independence, individuality, and innovative thinking associated with being Texan. In August, 2004 the award was renamed in honor of country music promoter Rick Smith, whose vision helped spread the "sound and spirit of Texas" around the world. 

In Honor of Rick Smith

December 3, 1956 - August 7, 2004

 Rick Smith embodied the "Spirit of Texas". As country music record producer, music visionary, and concert producer, he brought Willie Nelson's recent Fourth of July Picnic to the Fort Worth Stockyards and produced a series of "Live at Billy Bob's Texas" albums and DVDs. 

 

 2008 Winner- Don Edwards

 He is an historian, author and musicologist, unusually well versed in cowboy lore and musical traditions

Announcing the 2007 Spirit of Texas Award Honoree's
Ed Knocke & Brett Hoffman
Two of the nation's top sports media professional's. Ed Knocke from the Dallas Morning News and Brent Hoffman from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

2006 Winner
Buck Taylor
Western Actor and Artist

2005 Winner
Willie Nelson
Legendary Singer & Songwriter

2004 Winner
Red Steagall
The Official Cowboy Poet of Texas
Inductee to  the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City
Texas Trail of Fame Inductee

2003 Winner
Light Crust Doughboys
The world's longest running country music band
2003 Grammy Award winner
Contemporary band members include Jim Baker, Dale Cook, Jerry Elliott, Art Greenhaw, Maurice "Reece" Anderson, and John Walden.

"Rick Smith" Spirit of Texas Nomination Form

- top -