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 Terry
Beene embarked on his career in country, as a drummer, playing for the
best of metroplex bands until 1973. He then hit the road, working from
Vegas to Nashville. Throughout the years he has worked with such acts
as Hank Thompson, Johnny Rodriguez, Box Car Willie, Barbara Fairchild
and Jerry Lee Lewis. A native Texan always comes home! Terry ended his
road career in 1976 and moved into radio. It was while working at radio
station KJIM in Fort Worth that the Terry Awards began. While on the
air the D.J.’s were discussing the various award shows, selections
choices, etc., Terry then mentioned that if they have a "Tony" award
why not a "Terry" Award. What began as an on air bit, began to take
shape as hundreds of bands throughout Texas began sending in tapes,
schedules and letters for consideration. Terry listened to the outpour
of interest in a local award show and took the bull by the horns. The
very first Terry Awards hit the scene in June of 1977 at the Stagecoach
Ballroom.
 Terry continued his work in radio, selling ads for KXOL
and KPLX, which helped in building a media base for his growing award
show. It was while Terry was working for KXOL when he met the man that
would go on to not only become his best friend but his partner in the
Terry Awards and other musical ventures, Mr. Al Walker. Al appreciated
and understood Terry’s dedication to the local music scene. Al himself
had helped promote and produce local acts. With Al’s help Terry had
begun his journey to establish a professional award show for local
entertainers, showing the Metroplex and Texas just how much talent was
right here in the Lone Star State.
As
1980 approached and Country Music took the forefront once again, Terry
bought a club in Fort Worth to not only showcase the best in local
acts, but to bring the best in National acts to Fort Worth. Moe Bandy,
Gary Stewart, Box Car Willie are just a few of the names that graced
the stage of Terry’s south Fort Worth Chip n’ Club. As a concert
promoter Terry was responsible for bringing, Merle Haggard, Hank
Williams Jr., Alabama, and Reba to audiences around Texas, Oklahoma,
and Louisiana. For the next ten years Terry’s role in music continued
to grow as he began to promote R & B acts as well as Country. Each
and every project only helped continue the success of the Terry Awards.
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