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Honky Tonk Music Association

HONKY TONK MUSIC ASSOCIATION PROUDLY SPOTLIGHTS MAKAYLA RENEE

AS PART OF THE HISTORIC FIRST CLASS OF HTMA HORIZON AWARD WINNERS

“Don’t Mind Me” Nominated for 2026 Best New Honky Tonk Song as HTMA Continues Its Mission of Restoring Heart, Soul, and Authenticity Back Into Music.

In an era where so much of modern entertainment has become manufactured, rushed, and disconnected from genuine emotion, the Honky Tonk Music Association believes artists like Makayla Renee represent something increasingly rare — music that still feels real.

That belief is one of the reasons HTMA is proudly recognizing Makayla Renee not only as a nominee for 2026 Best New Honky Tonk Song for “Don’t Mind Me,” but also as an official HTMA Horizon Award Winner as part of the association’s historic inaugural class of emerging artists.

For the Honky Tonk Music Association, this recognition is about far more than a song title or an awards registry entry. It is about identifying artists whose performances capture emotional honesty, vulnerability, storytelling, and authenticity — the same qualities that helped build the foundations of entertainment across every genre of music.

HTMA has repeatedly emphasized that it is not simply a honky tonk or country organization. The association is officially multi-genre, recognizing artists from country, gospel, bluegrass, roots, Americana, pop, rock, soul, R&B, and hip-hop.

According to the association’s philosophy, every genre has roots grounded in emotion, truth, struggle, storytelling, rhythm, and life experience. HTMA believes traditional-rooted music forms helped create the foundation from which modern genres continued to grow and evolve, with every style of music branching outward from those emotional roots while still remaining connected to them.

That belief is part of what HTMA calls “The New Old Way Forward.”

The association explains that while styles of music evolve, authentic emotion never goes out of style.

According to her growing Nashville presence, Makayla Renee represents the story of an everyday young woman who carried a dream of singing, songwriting, and finding her voice through music. Like many artists who come to Nashville with little more than courage, talent, and belief in themselves, her story reflects the bravery it takes to stand in front of the world emotionally exposed through song.

HTMA states that bravery is one of the personal qualities looked at during the Horizon Award review process.

The association believes there is something powerful about artists willing to stand in front of an audience with nothing but their voice, their story, and the emotion behind the performance.

According to HTMA leadership, Makayla Renee’s music carries the kind of emotional sincerity audiences immediately recognize because it comes from a real place rather than from commercial formulas or industry pressure.

Her sound reflects the spirit of traditional-rooted music while still feeling modern and emotionally connected to a new generation of listeners.

The association explains that Horizon Award Winners are not traditionally “searched for” in the normal entertainment industry sense. In many cases, artists naturally find the association through the music itself, often first appearing through Facebook performances, artist reels, shared clips, or music pages circulating organically throughout the entertainment community.

However, HTMA states that while artists may have thousands of followers, posts, and social media interactions, it is often only a few rare performances or emotional moments that truly stop the association and separate an artist from the crowd.

According to HTMA, those moments reveal whether an artist belongs as part of “The New Old Way Forward.”

The association further explains that while Facebook often introduces artists to the organization, YouTube performances are usually where final Horizon Award decisions are shaped.

The reason, according to HTMA, is because YouTube videos preserve a moment in time where the artist is focused entirely on the heart, soul, and authenticity of the performance itself rather than publicity departments, image management, commercial pressure, or industry politics.

HTMA believes some of the greatest performances ever recorded exist inside those honest moments.

The association also explains that one of the primary reasons it publicly spotlights Horizon Award Winners is to help direct worldwide attention back toward those artists’ performances so the music itself can receive additional plays, exposure, audience discovery, and long-term visibility through the publicity generated by being singled out by the association.

According to HTMA, the goal is not simply to create headlines, but to help deserving artists build lasting recognition around the performances that emotionally moved the organization enough to recognize them in the first place.

The association further explains that one of the core inspirations behind the Horizon Awards movement comes from the philosophy connected to legendary Grand Ole Opry performer Cowboy Copas, who strongly believed in what he described as “artists supporting artists.”

That philosophy became one of the emotional foundations behind the Horizon Awards initiative developed by country music singer Bryangela Dusti Roads.

The purpose of the initiative is to create real-world opportunity, visibility, publicity, encouragement, and support for artists whose music still carries emotional depth, soul, authenticity, and storytelling power.

Official Honky Tonk Horizon Award Winners

  • Kameron Marlowe — Kannapolis, North Carolina
  • Hunter Cook and the Hunter Cook Band — Nashville, Tennessee
  • Daniel Wheeler — Franklin, Tennessee
  • Frank Ray — Deming / Las Cruces, New Mexico; Nashville, Tennessee
  • Hannah Marie Kelley — Nashville, Tennessee
  • Lisa Freeman — Richmond, Virginia; Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Georgette Jones — Nashville, Tennessee
  • Travis Yee — San Francisco, California; Nashville, Tennessee
  • Ron Haynes — Arkansas
  • Makayla Renee — Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee
  • Grayson Marlow — Tennessee
  • Tre Twitty — Tennessee
  • Roy Caudill — Hazard, Kentucky
  • Colton Bowlin — Albany, Kentucky
  • Tayla Lynn — Franklin / Hurricane Mills, Tennessee
  • Jordan McCullough — Murfreesboro, Tennessee

HTMA Pop / Rock / R&B / Hip-Hop Horizon Award Winners

  • Tyler Reese Tritt — Powder Springs, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee
  • Emmy Russell — Hurricane Mills / Nashville, Tennessee
  • Donna Marie Underwood — Tennessee
  • Lily Costner — California / Nashville connections
  • Maurice R. Ross — South Carolina
  • Diana Bugg — Murfreesboro, Tennessee
  • Devlin Wayne — Murfreesboro, Tennessee

HTMA states that Horizon Award Winners may receive worldwide publicity and media support through the Affinity network and through Xcelsius Media, the official news source for Affinity Publishing Group, Inc. and the Honky Tonk Music Association.

The association also notes that Horizon Award Winners may receive consideration for future showcase opportunities, Dusti Roads-style entertainment productions and bookings, publicity campaigns, and future opportunities connected to the planned Royal Affinity Concert Hall (RACH), referred to internally as “The ROCK.”

In addition to the Horizon Awards movement, HTMA has also announced the Silver Dollar Award, inspired by legendary artist Philomena Begley and her historic song “Queen of the Silver Dollar.”

For HTMA, Makayla Renee represents exactly why the Horizon Awards exist.

Not simply because of a nomination.

Not simply because of publicity.

But because the association believes her music reflects the kind of honesty, emotion, heart, and storytelling ability that helped build the roots of all great music in the first place.

And now, as part of the first historic class of Horizon Award Winners, the Honky Tonk Music Association believes the world is beginning to hear that voice as well.

HONKY TONK MUSIC ASSOCIATION SHINES A GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT ON PHILOMENA BEGLEY

2026 QUEEN OF HONKY TONK MUSIC HONOREE STANDS ALONGSIDE REBA McENTIRE, DOLLY PARTON, LORRIE MORGAN, DEANA CARTER, AND TANYA TUCKER IN HISTORIC WORLDWIDE CELEBRATION OF COUNTRY MUSIC ROYALTY

For more than 64 years, Philomena Begley has carried the heart, soul, pain, love, and truth of country music across generations, across oceans, and across borders — and now the Honky Tonk Music Association is proudly recognizing her as one of the living Queens of Honky Tonk Music for 2026.

In a world where the roots of traditional country music are too often forgotten, Philomena Begley represents something timeless. She represents authenticity. She represents the emotional power of music that reaches directly into the human spirit. Long before social media trends and synthetic entertainment began reshaping the music industry, Philomena Begley was standing before audiences delivering songs that mattered — songs that told real stories about real people, real heartbreak, real life, and real hope.

Her journey began in 1962, launching a remarkable career that would span more than six decades in country music history. Few artists anywhere in the world can say they have remained part of the living heartbeat of traditional country music for 64 years. Philomena Begley did exactly that.

The Honky Tonk Music Association proudly places Philomena Begley alongside legendary living honorees Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Deana Carter, Lorrie Morgan, and Tanya Tucker as part of the 2026 Queens of Honky Tonk Music recognition — a historic celebration honoring women whose music helped define and preserve traditional country music culture for the world.

But her legacy also reaches even deeper into the sacred history of country music itself.

Philomena Begley belongs among the great women whose voices helped shape the emotional foundation of country music across generations — artists like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Kitty Wells, Minnie Pearl, Jeannie C. Riley, and the many legendary women whose music became part of the soul of working people everywhere. While many of those legendary voices now live on only through memory and song, Philomena Begley remains one of the rare living artists who still carries that original spirit of classic country music into the modern world.

THE CREATION OF THE “SILVER DOLLAR AWARD” — A NEW WORLD HONOR INSPIRED BY PHILOMENA BEGLEY AND COWBOY COPAS

The Honky Tonk Music Association also proudly announces the creation of a brand-new international honor inspired directly by the emotional impact Philomena Begley has had on the organization and its growing worldwide mission to preserve authentic country music culture.

Beginning with the 2026 awards season, HTMA will present only one annual competing international honor connected to the Queen of Honky Tonk Music title — The Silver Dollar Award.

This special honor is being created in tribute to Philomena Begley and Cowboy Copas, two artists whose music represents the emotional soul, honesty, humility, and timeless spirit of traditional country music.

The Silver Dollar Award will be open to performers from anywhere in the world who can emotionally perform and connect with the song “Queen of Country,” written by Angela R. Anderson, President and CEO of Affinity Publishing Group, Inc., and Founder/Country Music Singer Bryangela Dusti Roads of the Honky Tonk Music Association.

For the Honky Tonk Music Association, this award is not simply about competition.
It is about preserving emotional truth in country music.

Cowboy Copas has long represented part of the spiritual heartbeat of the Honky Tonk Music Association. His legacy, voice, and emotional storytelling helped shape the very foundation of what HTMA stands for today. Alongside the many legendary guardian angels honored within the association’s registry, Cowboy Copas symbolizes the authenticity and emotional sincerity that the organization continues fighting to preserve in modern entertainment.

And now, Philomena Begley has become part of that same emotional legacy within the hearts of the association.

The Honky Tonk Music Association openly admits something deeply personal and honest:

The organization only recently discovered the extraordinary depth of Philomena Begley’s influence and legacy.

Had the association fully understood sooner the magnitude of her impact, her 64-year contribution to country music history beginning in 1962, and the emotional power she carried into audiences across generations, the organization believes it would have celebrated her much earlier, attended her performances, and recognized her place among the great women of country music history long ago.

That discovery has now become inspiration.

Philomena Begley represents something larger than fame. She represents endurance, authenticity, grace, and the worldwide spirit of country music itself. Her music reminds the world that country music culture did not begin and end within the borders of one nation. Traditional country music became part of the emotional heartbeat of people around the world because artists like Philomena Begley carried its spirit internationally for generations.

Music has never belonged to one country.
Music belongs to humanity.

Through the creation of the Silver Dollar Award, the Honky Tonk Music Association hopes future generations will continue learning about the artists who preserved the soul of traditional country music and carried its emotional truth across the world for decades.

Philomena Begley now stands not only among the living Queens of Honky Tonk Music — but among the living guardians of country music history itself.

That is what makes this honor historic.

She represents a living bridge between the golden age of country music and the future generations now rediscovering the emotional truth and authenticity that made traditional country music beloved around the world in the first place.

This moment is bigger than an award.

This is about giving long-overdue global recognition to an artist whose impact stretches far beyond any single country or border. Country music did not stop at the edge of America. Honky tonk music became part of the heartbeat of people around the world because artists like Philomena Begley carried its spirit internationally and kept its traditions alive for generations of listeners who understood the universal language of music.

Music has no borders.
Music has no nationality.
Music belongs to the world.

And Philomena Begley helped prove that.

For decades, she became one of the most beloved and respected voices in traditional country music, building a legacy that connected audiences through sincerity, humility, and pure storytelling. Her voice carried the same emotional honesty that built the foundations of country music itself. While trends changed around her, Philomena Begley remained true to the sound and spirit that millions of listeners still long for today.

The Honky Tonk Music Association believes that artists like Philomena Begley helped preserve the very soul of country music during times when authenticity was fading from the mainstream spotlight. Her career is not simply measured in years — it is measured in lives touched, memories created, and traditions preserved.

At a time when the entertainment industry continues searching for authenticity, the HTMA believes the world should look back to artists like Philomena Begley to remember what made country music powerful in the first place.

This recognition is also part of the Honky Tonk Music Association’s larger mission to restore emotional connection, storytelling, musicianship, and timeless artistry back into modern entertainment. The organization, a division of Affinity Publishing Group, Inc., continues building an international multi-genre movement that honors artists who keep real music alive — whether in country, gospel, rock, bluegrass, Americana, soul, or classic pop traditions.

The upcoming 2025–2026 Inaugural Awards Season celebration in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will not simply honor stars. It will honor legacy, history, culture, and the artists who helped shape music for future generations.

And among those legendary voices stands Philomena Begley — a woman whose music journey began in 1962 and whose voice still echoes through the heart of country music today.

The world may finally be catching up to what country music fans have known for decades:

Philomena Begley is not only a country music legend.
She is royalty in the world of honky tonk music.

The Honky Tonk Music Association (HTMA), a division of Affinity Publishing Group, Inc., proudly announces that legendary country music artist Doug Stone has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Honky Tonk Music Pioneer Award during the upcoming HTMA 2025-2026 Inaugural Awards Celebration in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

For generations of country music fans, Doug Stone has represented the emotional soul of traditional country music — heartfelt storytelling, powerful vocals, real-life pain, heartbreak, perseverance, and the kind of songs that connected directly to the hearts of everyday working people.

The Honky Tonk Music Association believes the heart of honky tonk music belongs to pioneers like Doug Stone and the legendary artists who built country music through truth, sacrifice, and unforgettable songs. Their music was not manufactured — it was lived. That emotional honesty is exactly what HTMA is fighting to preserve for future generations.

Doug Stone rose to national fame in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the defining voices of traditional country music. Known for his unmistakable baritone vocals and emotionally powerful performances, Stone became a major force on country radio with hit songs including “I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),” “In a Different Light,” “A Jukebox with a Country Song,” “Too Busy Being in Love,” “Why Didn’t I Think of That,” and “Addicted to a Dollar.”

Throughout his successful recording career, Doug Stone earned multiple gold and platinum-selling albums, charted numerous hit singles, and became widely respected for his ability to deliver emotionally charged performances that connected deeply with country music audiences across America and internationally.

HTMA believes country music is more than entertainment. Country music is history. Country music is family. Country music is pain, survival, faith, love, heartbreak, and hope. It is the emotional soundtrack of generations of people whose stories were often never told anywhere else except through song.

That mission is deeply connected to the spirit of the Guardian Angels of country music recognized by HTMA, including Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Cowboy Copas, Randy Hughes, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, Kitty Wells, Minnie Pearl, June Carter Cash, and many others whose sacrifices and contributions helped build country music into a worldwide cultural force.

For HTMA, the legacy of Cowboy Copas holds especially deep meaning.

Cowboy Copas represented the working man’s country music singer — an artist who understood struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance. Though Cowboy Copas did not get to fully live the dream of seeing artists protected and traditional country music preserved for future generations, the Honky Tonk Music Association believes that mission now lives forward through HTMA and the artists being recognized today.

The Honky Tonk Music Association was built upon the spirit and sacrifice of the Guardian Angels of country music, including Cowboy Copas, whose dream was to help preserve artists, songwriters, musicians, and the emotional soul of traditional country music. Though Cowboy Copas did not get to fully complete that journey during his lifetime, HTMA continues that mission in his honor.

Every artist recognized by HTMA today becomes part of the continuing legacy built by the pioneers who gave their lives, careers, and hearts to country music.

HTMA believes artists like Doug Stone represent that same emotional spirit and dedication to authentic country music. His songs helped define a generation of country fans, and his voice remains one of the most recognizable and heartfelt sounds in traditional country music history.

The upcoming HTMA 2025-2026 Inaugural Awards Celebration in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will honor many of the artists, musicians, broadcasters, entertainers, and pioneers who helped shape country music, gospel music, bluegrass, Americana, rock, pop, soul, and roots music into the worldwide cultural force it became.

HTMA continues positioning itself as a multi-genre entertainment organization dedicated to restoring the emotional connection and authenticity that once defined music.

Affinity Publishing Group, Inc., now celebrating over 25 years of foundation and development in Tennessee, continues building toward its future vision involving expanded entertainment operations, artist opportunities, media growth, and the planned Royal Affinity Concert Hall (RACH), referred to internally as “The ROCK,” as part of Murfreesboro’s growing identity as an emerging entertainment and media destination.

Doug Stone joins an extraordinary registry of HTMA-recognized pioneers and legendary entertainers whose contributions helped build the soundtrack of American life.

The official ceremony date, venue details, and additional announcements regarding the HTMA 2025-2026 Inaugural Awards Celebration in Murfreesboro, Tennessee will be announced soon.

Honky Tonk Music Association
awards@honkytonkmusicassociation.com
1-800-581-8183

Jordan McCullough Named 2026 King of Gospel Music and 2026 Gospel Horizon Award Winner by HTMA

May 6, 2026 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee

The Honky Tonk Music Association (HTMA) officially announces Murfreesboro native Jordan McCullough as the recipient of the 2026 King of Gospel Music Award during the organization’s historic 2025–2026 Inaugural Awards Season.

The organization also confirmed that Jordan McCullough has officially been recognized as a 2026 Gospel Horizon Award Winner, a special artist-support recognition created by the Honky Tonk Music Association to help encourage, recognize, and support rising artists believed to represent the future of music and entertainment.

As national media attention continues to follow McCullough’s remarkable rise into the Top 3 of American Idol, the Honky Tonk Music Association says the moment represents something much larger than television success alone.

According to HTMA officials, Jordan McCullough symbolizes the beginning of a new era for Murfreesboro, Tennessee — one where the city no longer exists merely in the shadow of Nashville, but stands as a powerful entertainment force and international music destination in its own right.

“This is not just about one artist,” said Angela R. Anderson, President of the Honky Tonk Music Association and Affinity Publishing Group, Inc. “This is about Murfreesboro stepping into its rightful place in the global entertainment conversation. Jordan McCullough represents the heart of this region, and the world is now seeing what we have always known — Middle Tennessee is filled with extraordinary talent, extraordinary vision, and extraordinary cultural power.”

The Honky Tonk Music Association confirmed that Jordan McCullough will officially receive the 2026 King of Gospel Music Award during the organization’s upcoming inaugural ceremony event planned for Murfreesboro later this year.

The ceremony is expected to bring together artists, musicians, broadcasters, entertainers, and international honorees connected to country, gospel, rock, pop, Americana, roots music, rockabilly, classic entertainment, and multiple genres of music that helped define generations of authentic artistry and timeless performance culture.

The event is part of a much larger entertainment initiative connected to Affinity Publishing Group, Inc., which recently celebrated 25 years of operations and media development in Tennessee.

Over the last quarter century, Affinity Publishing Group and its affiliated media divisions have quietly developed a growing entertainment network that now includes:

  • Honky Tonk Music Association (HTMA)
  • Xcelsius Media
  • Honky Tonk Network (HTN)
  • The Dusti Roads Show
  • Music Row Murfreesboro
  • Royal Affinity Concert Hall (RACH)

The organization says the current momentum surrounding Jordan McCullough arrives at exactly the right moment as HTMA prepares to launch its inaugural awards season onto the international stage.

The awards registry already includes recognition connected to legendary entertainment figures and internationally respected artists whose influence spans multiple generations and countries.

Among the major recognitions announced during the inaugural awards season:

  • THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION (Glasgow, Scotland) — 2025–2026 Band of the Year and Affinity Radio Lifetime Award Recipient
  • William Hitchell (Glasgow, Scotland) — 2026 Entertainer of the Year and 2026 King of Soul Music
  • Grant Stott (Glasgow, Scotland) — BBC Radio Broadcaster and recognized for excellence in broadcasting and entertainment
  • Jools Holland (London, England) — 2026 Affinity Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Music, Television & Entertainment
  • Travis Tritt (Georgia, USA) — 2026 King of Honky Tonk Music
  • George Strait (Texas, USA) — 2026 King of Honky Tonk Music
  • Alan Jackson (Georgia, USA) — 2026 King of Honky Tonk Music
  • Randy Travis (North Carolina, USA) — 2026 King of Honky Tonk Music
  • Lorrie Morgan (Tennessee, USA) — 2026 Queen of Honky Tonk Music
  • Tanya Tucker (Texas, USA) — 2026 Queen of Honky Tonk Music
  • Dolly Parton (Tennessee, USA) — 2026 Queen of Honky Tonk Music
  • Tracy Lawrence (Tennessee, USA) — 2026 Honky Tonk Music Pioneer

The organization says the participation of internationally recognized entertainment figures from Scotland and England — including BBC Radio broadcaster Grant Stott, London entertainment icon Jools Holland, and Glasgow-based award-winning band THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION — demonstrates the growing international reach of the Honky Tonk Music Association and Affinity Publishing Group network headquartered in Middle Tennessee.

The organization also highlighted the growing importance of the Horizon Awards, a special recognition program created to honor rising talent and support artists believed to represent the future of music and entertainment across multiple genres.

According to HTMA officials, the Horizon Award program reflects the spirit of artists supporting artists and was inspired by long-standing ideas connected to legendary country music figure Cowboy Copas, whose vision included encouraging and supporting emerging talent within the music industry.

HTMA officials stated that the Horizon Awards are intended to recognize artists across multiple genres — including country, gospel, rock, pop, Americana, roots music, and related entertainment categories — who demonstrate authenticity, heart, talent, and long-term artistic potential.

“Every artist wants someone to believe in them,” HTMA stated. “The Horizon Awards represent our belief in artists we believe can help shape the future of music.”

Among the officially announced 2026 Honky Tonk Horizon Award Winners:

  • Jordan McCullough (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
  • Kameron Marlowe (North Carolina, USA)
  • Hunter Cook Band (Tennessee, USA)
  • Daniel Wheeler (Tennessee, USA)
  • Travis & Cris Mobley (Texas, USA)
  • Frank Ray (New Mexico, USA)
  • Hannah Marie Kelley (Nashville, Tennessee, USA)
  • Lisa Freeman (Tennessee, USA)
  • Georgette Jones (Tennessee, USA)
  • Travis Yee (California, USA)
  • Ron Haynes (Arkansas, USA)
  • Makayla Renee (Tennessee, USA)
  • Grayson Marlow (Tennessee, USA)
  • Tre Twitty (Tennessee, USA)
  • Roy Caudill (Kentucky, USA)
  • Colton Bowlin (Tennessee, USA)
  • Tayla Lynn (Tennessee, USA)

Additional Pop, Rock, R&B, and Gospel Horizon Award recipients include:

  • Tyler Reese Tritt (Georgia, USA) — Pop Horizon Award Winner
  • Emmy Russell (Tennessee, USA) — Pop Horizon Award Winner
  • Donna Marie Underwood (Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA) — Pop Horizon Award Winner
  • Lily Costner (California, USA) — Pop/Rock Horizon Award Winner
  • Maurice R. Ross (Georgia, USA) — R&B/Hip-Hop Horizon Award Winner
  • Diana Bugg (Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA) — R&B/Pop/Hip-Hop Horizon Award Winner
  • Devlin Wayne (Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA) — Gospel Hip-Hop Horizon Award Winner

According to the organization, these recognitions are helping establish an international bridge between Murfreesboro, Nashville, Scotland, London, the United Kingdom, and audiences throughout the world.

One of the strongest examples of that international reach is THE VINTAGE EXPLOSION, the acclaimed Glasgow, Scotland-based band whose growing global fan base and multiple HTMA honors have helped attract overseas attention toward the organization’s inaugural awards season.

According to HTMA officials, international recognition is central to the organization’s long-term vision.

“This is not a local dream anymore,” Anderson stated. “This is an international entertainment movement developing right here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.”

The organization also confirmed that discussions connected to future development initiatives with Matthew Blomeley Assistant Planning Director have included plans involving a new Affinity Publishing Group corporate headquarters campus and the future Royal Affinity Concert Hall (RACH), referred to internally as “The ROCK,” an entertainment and event venue initiative designed to support concerts, television productions, live entertainment events, special events, corporate functions, and expanded tourism opportunities for Middle Tennessee.

According to the organization, the long-term vision surrounding Royal Affinity Concert Hall (RACH) represents one of the most ambitious independent entertainment development concepts currently connected to the region.

Plans discussed by the organization include a large-scale entertainment destination designed to help establish Murfreesboro as a recognized center for music entertainment, media production, artist showcases, award events, and international entertainment collaboration.

HTMA officials say the long-term development vision surrounding the Affinity network is intended to create opportunities not only for major established entertainers, but also for independent artists, emerging performers, musicians, broadcasters, and entertainment professionals seeking a platform connected to authentic music culture.

The organization says its mission extends beyond one genre alone and instead focuses on restoring the spirit, emotional connection, musicianship, storytelling, and authenticity that defined some of the greatest eras in music history.

According to the organization, artists like Jordan McCullough are helping reconnect audiences to a time when music carried deep meaning, genuine emotion, unforgettable performances, and timeless cultural impact.

“This is about bringing music back to a time when music truly meant something,” HTMA stated. “Jordan McCullough’s performance reminds people of the feeling music once gave the world — and the world is responding to it.”

“Murfreesboro is no longer just a pass-through city outside Nashville,” Anderson said. “The time has come for Murfreesboro to take its place on the world stage.”

The organization says Jordan McCullough’s national visibility through American Idol demonstrates the level of talent already emerging from the region and further validates the organization’s mission to recognize authentic artistry and real musical excellence.

According to the organization, Jordan McCullough’s recognition as the 2026 King of Gospel Music and a 2026 Gospel Horizon Award Winner is intended not only as an honor for his artistry and inspirational impact, but also as a celebration of Murfreesboro itself.

“Jordan McCullough is just the beginning,” HTMA stated.

The Honky Tonk Music Association says additional major entertainment announcements, international honorees, venue developments, media partnerships, and ceremony details are expected to be released throughout the year.

The organization confirmed that Jordan McCullough will receive an official commemorative award certificate recognizing him as the 2026 King of Gospel Music in connection with the upcoming inaugural ceremony.

It will be the honor of the Honky Tonk Music Association to present Jordan McCullough with the 2026 King of Gospel Music Award.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Honky Tonk Music Association
A Division of Affinity Publishing Group, Inc.
Official Media Division: Xcelsius Media
awards@honkytonkmusicassociation.com
1-800-581-8183
HonkyTonkMusicAssociation.com

Contact Honky Tonk Music Association

Contact the Honky Tonk Music Association regarding awards, artist submissions, media requests, bookings, sponsorships, performances, event participation, or general information.

Honky Tonk Music Association
A Division of Affinity Publishing Group, Inc.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee