The Texas Commission on the Arts is now accepting nominees for the 2009 Texas State Musician.

Nominees must meet the following criteria:

• A native Texan or at least five years of in-state residency
• Recognition from peers and the press
• Two or more albums released nationally, or 20+ years formal teaching experience, or otherwise make a living from music

October 5 is the deadline for nominations, which are submitted via a simple online form. Each resident may nominate up to three artists. The winner will be announced during next spring's legislative session.

Previous honorees are Shelley King (2008), Dale Watson (2007), Billy Joe Shaver (2006), Johnny Gimble (2005), Ray Benson (2004), and James Dick (2003).

So what does it mean to be named the Texas State Musician? Not much, really, beyond bragging rights valuable primarily to marketing and PR folks. But as the whole world knows, we Texans do love to brag.