Pioneer Awards

Rusty Summerville

As an award-winning artist/designer, Rusty Summerville has worked professionally in the creative arts for almost 40 years. In addition to the design of the Grand Ole Opry Museum, for which he received Tennessee Institutional Design of the Year from the American Society of Interior Designers. Rusty's portfolio also includes the design and conceptual development of the Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl Museum (Nashville, TN), The Hank Snow Hometown Museum (Liverpool, Nova Scotia), the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Tex Ritter Museum (Carthage, TX), The Bible Impact Center (Crete, IL), Rusty's Sports Bar (Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN), concept development for Churchill Downs (Louisville, KY), and design of the C.F. Martin (HDO-28) guitar commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.

Most recently he has been instrumental in the design and development of the Texas Gospel Music Museum of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame (Carthage, TX). Additionally, for a period of 6 years, Rusty also served as Director and Curator of the Pryor Art Gallery on the campus of Columbia State Community College.

 Rusty now lives and works from his home and studio in Franklin, Tennessee, where his creativity is currently focused on fine art and other design projects, including exhiibit and restoration design for the Clay County Courthouse and Rolley Hole Museum in Celina, Tennessee, and on-going exhibit design at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Tex Ritter Muiseum.

Additionally, and in a previous life, he was also a staff writer at Nashville's Cedarwood Publishing Company where he had songs recorded by Hank Snow, Helen Corenelius, Tom Grant, Texan, Billy Mata and others. 

Warren Biggs

Warren Biggs worked tirelessly for decades for the hometown he loved so much. He was a big part of the restoration of the Hawthorn-Clabaugh-Patterson house creating the Tex Ritter Museum.

Biggs was pivotal in the decisions that created the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He took great pride in the enormous contribution the world class museum and annual show featuring country music giants would make to the country music legacy of Texas and Panola County

He served on the TCMHOF board from its inception until his death in 2024. 

  Mattie Castlebury

Mattie Castlebury's name is listed among those who are considered to be the notable trailblazers and the elite of East Texas during a span of time when it wasn't acceptible for women to fulfill certain roles.

She made Texas-sized history as an entrepreneur, socialite, and yes, the "HONKY Tonk Queen."

To most East Texans who were around in the 1900's, Mattie Castlebury was the legendary owner of Mattie's Ballroom, the number one nightspot in the area. The ballroom was a social spot that drew patrons from as far away as Shreveport and Dallas.  

Castlebury was considered a respectable woman and her establishments later known as Mattie's Palm Isle and then the Reo Palm Isle were well-run businesses. 

Martha Josey, J.C. Arthur, and Gary Arthur, grandchildren of Castlebury, were present to receive the Pioneer Award from Linda Davis. 

Mo Jelaudarzadeh - 

Owner of Mo's Place in Katy, Texas, he spent many years helping with the success of Texas Country Music artists. When Mo first came to America, he had nothing but a suitcase & the ambition to achieve the "American Dream". After working as a dishwasher, trying to put himself through college, he was given a chance to be promoted to bartender, where he found his passion to serve people, and fell in love with County Music. Mo was given a chance to bartend at many fine establishments, which led him to finally take the first step in accomplishing his dream of opening Mo's.
“I was given many first chances by people who believed in me. And I will never forget the ones who got me to where I am today. This is what I make the effort to do for every person who walks on to this stage. "See the stars of tomorrow at Mo's Place today", is my slogan for a reason, I believe in every one of you, and want to give y'all the first chances I was so graciously given. It's not just business here, we care for and become family with every act we encounter, from the big Nashville Acts, to our local Hometown Bands, we welcome each one of you home.”

The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame has announced a new award to be given periodically honoring individuals who have given much needed support and assistance and have contributed significantly to the country music profession. Recipients for the 2016 show: