When an organization hands out an award for the first time, the recipient becomes part of history. That’s exactly what happened to Americana singer-songwriter Rusty Gear, who took home the inaugural CMA of Texas bluegrass album of the year honor at the association’s annual awards gala.
The recognition came for his album “Music City Drifters,” a collection that CMA of Texas CEO Mary Minter praised in glowing terms. “The CMA of Texas is very honored to include Rusty Gear in our artist/musician community, as he received the 2027 very first bluegrass award for his outstanding album, ‘Music City Drifters,’” Minter said. “Every single song on the album is a stand-alone example of excellent storytelling in song, featuring equally excellent vocals and instrumentation.” The project features eight tracks total — five original compositions and three beloved classics.
Recording took place in Nashville, where producer Brad Hill brought together a formidable lineup of session talent. The band included Jason Roller, known for his work with Alabama and the Grand Ole Opry, on guitars and fiddle; Justin Moses, who has played with Ricky Skaggs and Sierra Hull, on banjo and mandolin; Nashville veteran Scotty Sanders on dobro; and Evan Winsor, a regular with Josh Turner, on upright bass. Award-winning Americana artist Hannah Bethel, a frequent collaborator, appears on two songs. The album expands Gear’s ongoing “American Way of Life” Collection, blending biographical storytelling, reflective ballads, and lighthearted numbers in a lively bluegrass framework.
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Gear reflected warmly on the ceremony, saying, “We had a great time at the CMA of Texas award event. The artists and fans attending couldn’t have been nicer and we are grateful to the CMA of Texas and Mary Minter for recognizing our record.” The celebration didn’t end there. Immediately after the gala, Gear and his team traveled to Joplin, Missouri, where they were guests at Missouri Southern State University’s KGCS-TV. There, they performed and sat for an interview on the station’s “Behind The Bands Show,” a 30-minute program combining conversation with live music. “It was fun performing and being interviewed at KGCS TV and seeing the students do such a nice job building a TV show,” Gear said.
Gear is an independent artist with a substantial catalog spanning Americana, country, and blues. He has released 15 albums and EPs featuring top Nashville players, members of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, and guest vocalists including Bekka Bramlett, Hannah Bethel, Calamity Jane, Camille Rae, Elle Rose, Evelyn Rubio, and Lisa Kaine. His songs have charted on the Billboard Country Breakout Chart, the Americana Music Association Chart, and Roots Music charts, and have received radio play worldwide. “Music City Drifters” spent eight weeks at #1 on the Roots Music Country Album Chart, and its single “All the Ties” reached #1 in both Country and Americana. His 2024 single “Lonely Roads” featuring Evelyn Rubio was named Duet of the Year by the CMA of Texas. His latest EP, “Blues From Muscle Shoals to Nashville,” is gaining traction with blues radio stations and influencers. Gear’s songs have been streamed over 6 million times on Spotify.
John McNerney
John in Houston PR LLC
Rusty Gear’s “Ranch Water”
Why it matters: This award marks a milestone not just for Gear but for the CMA of Texas, signaling a broader commitment to honoring bluegrass within the Americana music community. With his chart-topping album and growing streaming presence, Gear continues to prove that independent artists can find substantial recognition and audience reach.
