TEXAS — Jody Nix, Traditional Country Music and Western Swing artist and local resident, has been announced by the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame as the first ever recipient of the “Star of Texas” Award! This award is for an entertainer that has supported and promoted cowboys and the sport of rodeo in Texas.
Nix, has been a constant supporter and entertainer across Texas for 62 years, performing at the Bob Will’s Day, Turkey, Texas for over 40 years, along with rodeo dances all over Texas, such as the Texas Cowboy Reunion, Stamford, Texas, the San Angelo Roping Fiesta, the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion, and the Black Tie and Boots Ball in 1989 in Washington DC for then President, H.W. Bush, along with many more.
Nix told KBest News that he was informed of the award by his friend Rhonda May of Weatherford, with the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. When asked how he felt about being the first recipient of the award, Nix said he had no idea they were even considering him and he was blessed and honored beyond measure to even receive it.
As one of the recipients of the 2023 “Special Awards” from the TRCHOF, Nix will be presented the “Star of Texas” award on April 29, 2023, at the River Ranch in Ft. Worth.
Nix was born and raised in Big Spring and graduated from Coahoma High School.
He has been in the business 61 years and has played dances and shows all over Texas and parts of the southwest. Nix 'grew up' in music, started playing drums in his Father Hoyle Nix's band at age 8 in 1960 playing 5 nights a week all over West Texas.
He started playing the fiddle at age 11, started singing at age 16, recorded with Bob Wills at age 21 on the 1973 'Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys For The Last Time' as a guest artist and sang three songs.
In 1975 from the National Cowboy Hall Of Fame in Oklahoma City he was given a Western Heritage Wrangler Award for an outstanding contribution to western music through the album Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys For The Last Time and it was presented to him by Gene Autry. Jody has 11 albums of his own to his credit, and was a guest artist on both of Asleep At The Wheel's Tribute to Bob Wills albums. Jody and The Texas Cowboys played for the Black Tie and Boots Ball in 1989 in Washington DC for then President George H. W. Bush. In 1996 Jody was inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in Sacramento, California. In May of 2009, Jody and the Texas Cowboys were inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall Of Fame in San Marcos, Texas. In 2013 Jody was inducted into the Northwest Western Swing Music Society Hall Of Fame in Washington State. In May of 2016 Jody was honored by the Cowtown Society Of Western Music and received the Living Hero Of Western Swing Award, and in June 2016 Jody was inducted into the Cowboy Hall Of Fame at the Heritage Museum in Big Spring, Texas. Jody has worked with Bob Wills, Ray Price, Marty Robbins, George Strait, Moe Bandy, Red Steagall, Asleep At The Wheel, Johnny Bush, Frenchie Burke, Tony Booth, The Quebe Sisters, Steve Wariner, and many many others. The band works 100115 dates a year, and consists of Jody Nix- Bandleader, fiddle and vocals, Robert Weeks- fiddle and vocals-Jimmy Don Pack – bass – Jim Loessberg – steel guitar – Terry Thompson – drums.
The Cowboy Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the Texas rodeo cowboy and cowgirl.
The TRCHF holds an induction ceremony each year to recognize the contributions of world champions, as well as those lesser-known heroes and heroines. In addition, the weekend provides the chance to reunite generations of rodeo stories in one location.
Event tickets and additional information can be obtained by visiting the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame website at www.TexasRodeoCowboy. com or emailing info@ TexasRodeoCowboy