The Heart of Texas Country Music Association grew from the Hillbilly Hits Fan Club, a group established to promote the Hillbilly Hits Radio show from KNEL FM 95.3 in Brady. The traditional Country Music radio show is hosted by Tracy Pitcox and features requests and interviews with the legendary figures of the industry including George Jones, Willie Nelson, Kitty Wells, Ray Price, Bob Wills, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.

The association, which boasts 850 members, promotes the Mason and Llano Country Opry shows at the Odeon and Lantex Theaters. The organization has sponsored many Country Music entertainers at those venues including Ray Price, Gene Watson, Kitty Wells, John Conlee, Freddie Hart, the Geezinslaws and Jean Shepard among others. The group also plans various trips to Branson and Nashville and operates Heart of Texas Records with projects currently by Leona Williams, Floyd Tillman, Justin Trevino, Frankie Miller, Darrell McCall, Pretty Miss Norma Jean and Curtis Potter.

The Heart of Texas Country Music Museum located in Brady, contains items from over seventy five country music entertainers including Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Hank Thompson and even Jim Reeves’ 1956 tour bus.

“We are excited about celebrating our 21st Anniversary,” Tracy Pitcox said. “We have enjoyed a great relationship with many of our KNEL listeners. Our group grew from a small core of listeners to an 850 member organization that promotes traditional Country Music throughout our state. We are certainly looking forward to celebrating this milestone.”