Jody Nix is an established Traditional Country Music and Western Swing artist in the Lone Star state. Jody has been playing music for 61 years and is recognized as one of the finest dance bands in all of Texas. His career in music started in 1960 when he started playing drums in his father’s band, The Hoyle Nix Band, at 8 years old. By the time Jody was 21 he was playing fiddle, singing, and in 1973 was hand-picked by Bob Wills to be a guest on the album “Bob Will and His Texas Playboys For The Last Time”. Along with Jody, Bob also picked Hoyle Nix and Merle Haggard as the only 3 guests to appear on what would be Bob’s final album. Jody said it was a blessing, honor, and a thrill to receive this honor. In 1975 Jody was awarded the Western Heritage Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to western music through the Bob Wills album. The award was presented to him by Gene Autry.
Throughout his career Jody has released 11 albums and was a guest on both of Asleep at the Wheel’s Tribute to Bob Wills albums. In 1989 Jody Nix and The Texas Cowboys played the Black Tie and Boots Ball in Washington D.C. for then President George H. W. Bush. He has played the Bob Wills Day Celebration in Turkey, Texas for 45 years, 10 with his father Hoyle, and 35 on his own. In Stamford Jody holds the record for all time attendance for the history of the Texas Cowboy Reunion rodeo dances. Jody has also played for the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo for 21 years, the Post Stampede Rodeo for 23 years, and has worked with the Big Spring Symphony Orchestra in 1990, the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra in 1992, and again with the Big Spring Symphony in 1994, 1997, and 2016. He has been a part of all the Western Swing Festivals in Canton, Texarkana, Snyder and Wichita Falls for over 30 years, and played for the Howard Co. Fair in Big Spring 24 years in a row, and also the Boys Ranch Ball in San Angelo for 19 years, the Western Heritage Classic Ranch Rodeo in Abilene for 15 years. Jody was also a guest artist with Asleep at the Wheel in the original play of "A Ride With Bob" in 2005.
In 2008 Jody and the Texas Cowboys had the honor of representing the great state of Texas at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C., as well as playing at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Prior to the National Finals Rodeo in 2007-2009 Jody played for the PRCA convention at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. For years he has been a favorite performer in Branson, Missouri at Silver Dollar City. He is also in heavy rotation on Willie’s Roadhouse channel 59 on XM radio.
Jody and the Texas Cowboys were inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2009 they were inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in San Marcos. He has been honored by the Cowtown Society of Western Music and received the Living Hero of Western Swing Award. Throughout his amazing career Jody has had the honor of working with many of the greats in the Country and Western Swing genre. Greats such as Bob Wills, George Strait, Marty Robbins, Moe Bandy, Ray Price, Johnny Bush, Red Stegall, Asleep at the Wheel, Tony Booth, Frenchie Burke, Steve Wariner, and many more.
The band consists of members: Jody Nix – Bandleader, fiddle and vocals Robert Weeks – fiddle and vocals Brandy Weeks – upright bass Jim Loessberg – steel guitar Terry Thompson – drums It was quite an honor to feature Jody as the cover story for this issue. Jody is a Godly man and gives all the Glory for his talent and success to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We look forward to attending many more of their live performances and hope you will do the same. Please be sure and visit www.jodynixmusic.com for a complete list of upcoming dates. You can also tune in to Jody Nix’s Sunday Night Country on KBYG 1400 AM and 106.3 FM every Sunday night from 6:00 – 8:00. You can stream live at www.kbygradio.com
