Instagram / Sunny Sauceda

FORT WORTH, TX — Vickie Vargas-Sauceda, wife and business partner of three-time GRAMMY winner Sunny Sauceda, was honored with the Artist Industry Professional Spouse, Partner, or Significant Other of the Year Award at the 2025 Texas Country Music Industry Awards, held Thursday night, June 12, at the Rhinestone Saloon in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.

The prestigious honor recognizes the often-unsung contributions of loved ones who provide vital support behind the scenes in the demanding world of the music industry. Sunny Sauceda, a recent crossover into the Texas Country music scene, took to social media with an emotional tribute to his wife following her award win.

“If anyone is deserving of this award, it’s without a doubt this woman right here,” Sauceda shared. “I always say, ‘she does everything but play accordion’ — and when I say everything, I mean everything. Running a band, a business, a record label, a marketing firm, a consulting company… she does it all.”

Sauceda, visibly moved while filming his wife’s acceptance speech, called the moment “significant, surprising, and incredibly rewarding.”

“They are the unsung heroes in this industry,” he continued. “While we as artists often stand in the spotlight, they carry the weight of everything that happens behind the scenes. My wife has seen it all. She’s been through it all. And last night, we celebrated her recognition — one that is deeply deserved and long overdue.”

Vickie Vargas-Sauceda wears many hats: she’s a GRAMMY member, the President of Solstice Records, a high-level executive for a Fortune 500 company, and, most importantly, the mother of the couple’s three children. Her award underscores the vital role partners play in the success and stability of artists navigating the highs and lows of the music business.

The Texas Country Music Industry Awards, presented by the Texas Country Music Association (TCMA), honored 27 industry professionals during the evening. Categories included contributions in Radio, Records, Public Relations, Media, Live Music, and more — roles that rarely receive spotlight but are essential to the success of artists and the scene as a whole.

“There are so many moving parts to making music that the general public hears on radio or streaming outlets,” said TCMA Executive Vice President Richard Wilson. “These are individuals and businesses that TCMA must honor.”

Sunny Sauceda’s recent foray into the Texas Country scene has been met with enthusiasm, with releases like “Womanizer,” “Hot Sauce,” “Together Forever,” and a Tex-Mex reimagining of “Vueltas Y Vueltas” featuring Keith Nieto under the Azteca Ranch Music label.

As Sauceda reflected, “It’s not easy being married to an artist — especially not to Sunny Sauceda. I am beyond proud of my wife… and to all the other spouses and partners out there: thank you. You are seen, appreciated, and loved.”

The night served as a powerful reminder that behind every great artist is an even greater team — and sometimes, that team begins at home.

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