Fort Worth readers can vote for local music award nominees
The nomination period runs through November 30, accepting write-ins for artists active in Tarrant County and the surrounding region.
By Lucas Navarro ·
The 2026 ballot for the Fort Worth Weekly Music Awards is currently open. Readers can submit write-in nominations for their favorite local bands and musicians until Sunday, November 30. The process mirrors the outlet’s Best Of ballot format, allowing voters to select from specific categories or use a Wildcard field for artists the editors may have missed.
Participants are limited to one ballot per person during both the nomination and voting phases. Eligible artists must be based in Tarrant County, with a specific exception for a new Regional Band category. This addition allows voters to support North Texas bands located outside the city of Fort Worth. All albums, songs, and videos nominated must have been released between November 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026.
The most-voted artists will advance to the Voting Phase in December. A small group of music writers will also add selections to the final list. Readers will then choose their favorites from this narrowed field during the month of December. The same one-ballot-per-person rule applies to this second stage of voting.
An awards ceremony is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The event will announce the 2026 winners, honor musicians who have died, and induct new members into the Hall of Fame. The ceremony serves as the culmination of the year-long recognition cycle for the local music scene.
The ballot includes 31 distinct categories. These range from specific roles like Bassist, Drummer, and Producer to genre-specific groups such as Blue Band, Metal Band, and Hip-Hop Artist. Other categories include Album, Song, Video, and Place to Hear Live Music. The list also features a New Band category and a Singer-Songwriter division.
Musicians, bars, and venues can access free promotional graphics to encourage voting. These materials are available on the Fort Worth Weekly website under the Music Awards or Calendar sections. Questions or comments regarding the process can be sent to Jennifer at FWWeekly.com. The nomination phase remains the primary way for fans to influence the final list.
