Texas is a special place. Even its shape is iconic, serving as a symbol of independence, friendship, strength, pride, risk-taking, firsts, and bests. Texas’ self-styled culture is unique in ways that are respected and envied around the world. It is incumbent on each generation of Texans to maintain this rich heritage for generations to come. Texas songwriters, past and present, reflect in rhythm and rhyme, the essence of our culture; they are the poets of their time and have become the symbolic troubadours of our State. The mission of the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, in the interest of Texas cultural preservation, is to honor and celebrate Texas songwriters who have played an important role in defining and interpreting Texas’ distinctive culture.