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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