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More from Premios a la Musica '08

Premios a la Musica Latina, sponsored by Univision, is always a great experience because unlike other awards shows, the artists are all around you. This might change as the awards show keeps growing but close and personal access to the stars is an exciting prospect for fans. We walked into the show a little late and the show had already started. As soon as we entered the Majestic Theater, we ran into Megan Leyva, who was so friendly and down to earth. Manny Picante of BNET radio was with her and we have to thank him a LOT for introducing us to DJ Kane who was at the bar with other members of the Kumbia All Starz and their bodyguards. So many Tejano and Regional Mexican music artists roamed the lobby area inside the theater including Sunny Sauceda, Los Desperadoz, Jonny Martinez, Liza Ybarra and many more.

See the video below of Las Tres Divas: Elida Reyna, Stefani Montiel and Shelly Lares performing separately and then as Las Tres Divas!



Thanks to Anthony and Mario for the video!

First look at Premios a la Musica Latina 2008

The video features Las Tres Divas, DJ Kane, Rebecca Valadez and Megan Leyva from last night's Premios a la Musica Latina. Check back for a more detailed posting on the Premios.

AB and his dad on Cristina; remembering Selena

The Quintanilla’s on Cristina is always a must-see.

Despite the negativity that often surrounds A.B. and his father, Abraham, I feel sympathetic toward them because of their loss. And in a way, I feel kind of proud of them and the fact that they are still out there making music and doing their thing despite a lot of the feelings against them. I like that Abraham publicly defended his son, who, no matter what he does, will always be his son.

I wished the show would have focused more on Selena as it was the 13th anniversary of her passing but life goes on, and I know the fans out there wanted to hear the scoop about the Kumbia All Starz, Pee Wee, DJ Kane and AB’s new girlfriend (who he clarified was NOT a Russian bride who he purchased – that was too funny).

I’m excited about DJ Kane’s return to Kumbia All Starz as I always thought that he was the strongest vocalist and his tenure with the band produced what I thought were the best albums (Amor, Familia y Respeto and Shhh!). Maybe the drama will end – at least for a while – so AB can get back to what he does best: making music. That would be his best tribute to his sister.

Speaking of tributes...and not to leave you on a sad note, check this out:

"The Best Selena Tribute Ever" -- PerezHilton.com
This is a YouTube clip that Perez Hilton had on his site. Her name is Robyn McGhee and apparently she likes to sing Spanish music while at work. She is actually pretty good. Here she is singing "Si Una Vez."

Initial thoughts...Emilio critically injured in bus crash

When I heard that Tejano singer Emilio Navaira was critically injured following a bus crash early Easter morning, I realized that I hadn’t really heard a lot of news recently from the once hugely popular, Grammy-award winning performer. In the 90s, he and Selena reigned over the booming Tejano industry, headlining major concerts and attracting more attention for their talent than any other Tejano performers before them. Selena was headed for major pop stardom when she was killed and Emilio had temporarily tasted success in the country market during his prime. After losing the queen of Tejano so tragically and untimely, it would be terrible to lose the once undisputed king of Tejano in such a tragic way, too, but unfortunately, the news reports indicate it is a possibility.

Looking back over Emilio’s recent career, it seemed that whenever his name was in headlines, it was usually for the wrong reasons. And so it happens again. The Texas media outlets and dedicated Tejano bloggers and Web sites are abuzz with the news of his life-threatening injuries. I hope and pray that Emilio makes it through and will enjoy more years with his family and as a musician. Perhaps, this traumatic event could serve as the impetus for a major comeback for him. I know that his loyal and longtime fans will value him even more, as is often the case when you almost lose someone you care about, and will realize what a treasure he is to Tejano music.

Although the Tejano music industry in general and Emilio’s career seemed much lower key than in the heyday of the 90s, he was still touring (as he was at the time of the accident) and recording music. He was still a fan favorite, too, as he was up for no less than five Tejano Music Awards this year, including vocalist, entertainer, song, album and vocal duo with his brother, Raulito. He had also made the initial nominees list for best vocalist and best album at the April 1 Premios a la Musica Latina awards. Althought he didn't win any TMAs nor make the final nominees for the PLMs, Emilio could never be counted out. He was scheduled to perform at the Premios on April 1 at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio and he was already scheduled as the headliner for the May 4 lineup during Viva La Musica at SeaWorld in San Antonio.

If the unthinkable happens, I anticipate a similar outpouring of emotion as occurred when Selena died. Already, a 7 p.m. prayer vigil has been tentatively scheduled for Monday at the Alamodome Lot A in San Antonio. Although, Emilio is almost twice as old as Selena was when she died, he will be remembered and mourned for his musical ability just as she was and in perhaps the same way that we pondered what could have been with Selena, we will do the same for Emilio.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and especially his children during this difficult time.


Other sources for the latest information:

The Tejano Journal is a source for all the latest Tejano music news and with industry types and diehard fans alike posting inside information; you’ll likely learn the latest here.

In fact, one person posted information about a 10 a.m. news conference tomorrow at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center that will provide a “comprehensive medical update” on Emilio.

Also, Ramiro Burr and his Latin Notes Now blog is the main source for credible and accurate information on the Tejano and Latino music scene. He’ll likely be updating throughout the night.


Other Tejano blogs include: The Blood-Line

The site, Tejano Place, has links to the latest news stories from the Houston area, where the crash occurred and photos of the tour bus wreckage, which lets you see how serious the accident was.

SeaWorld goes Tejano!

This spring's hottest Tejano lineup can be found in the capital of Tejano music but in an unlikely venue: not Fiesta, an awards show or Market Square but Viva La Musica at SeaWorld of Texas! For two consecutive weekends in May, SeaWorld is going Tejano with musical acts from Elida to Emilio to La Mafia. Check out the schedule below and click on the logos to go to the Web site for more details.

Dates:
Saturday May 3, 2008
Sunday May 4, 2008
Saturday May 10, 2008
Sunday May 11, 2008

Times*:
May 3, 2008
Headliner: Los Palominos 7:30 p.m.
Orquesta Shati 12:00 p.m.
Avizo 2:00 p.m.
Chente Barrera 4:00 p.m.
Elida Reyna 6:00 p.m.

May 4, 2008
Headliner: Emilio Navaira 6:30 p.m.
Son Siete 12:00 p.m.
Megan Leyva 1:30 p.m.
David Marez 3:00 p.m.
Ram Herrera 4:30 p.m.

May 10, 2008
Headliner: Jay Perez 7:30 p.m.
Orquesta Tropicante 12:00 p.m.
Rick Balderrama 2:00 p.m.
The Big Chihuahuas 4:00 p.m.
Joe Posada 6:00 p.m.

May 11, 2008
Headliner: La Mafia 6:30 p.m.
Orquesta Viva 12:00 p.m.
Los Amables 1:30 p.m.
Sunny Sauceda 3:00 p.m.
Los DesperadoZ 4:30 p.m.

Location: North Park & Map

* Concert times are subject to change.

Honoring Emma and Eva

"An Altar for Emma," a multimedia performance piece honoring local labor leader Emma Tenayuca, had a three-day run at Our Lady of the Lake University (March 7-9) and the room was packed for the Friday night performance. The production came about through a joint collaboration between OLLU's Center for Mexican American Studies and Research and the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. Tenayuca, an educated Mexican-American who advocated for the poor, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in San Antonio, is best known for leading the 1938 pecan shellers' strike in San Antonio. She organized and inspired many at a young age and was only 21 at the time of the strike.

The play was more of what I would describe as an "audience experience" and it recounted Tenayuca's life through the use of live theater, song, dance, monologues, audio of a Tenayuca interview, video and still images projected onto a large screen, and audience participation (which I had never experienced). The interactive portion came at the start of the performance and involved the entire audience being led out of the room where the play was being staged and into a room across the hall. Once there, the actresses who portrayed the pecan shellers performed a lively and passionate pecan shellers' dance that showed the shellers -- five young ladies and two children -- marching in a line, slowly breaking down with exhaustion and then retiring to the tables to shell. Two musicians played a corrido to Emma, including the featured accordionist Eva Ybarra, a lifelong musician known as "la reina del acordeon" and "Queen of Progressive Conjunto" (more on her later). (Photo credit: The photo of Emma came from the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures photo archive. She is shown on June 29, 1937 in the Bexar County jail following the filing of unlawful assembly and disturbing the peace.)

As the pecan shellers discussed their working conditions and a passionate young Emma started the strike, one by one each sheller jumped away from the table where they had sat and began grabbing unsuspecting audience members to join them on their strike. By the time we marched back to the first room where the rest of the play took place,almost the entire audience was walking in a "strike" and shouting "Huelga! Huelga!" Getting pulled into the strike was a surprise but the experience put us into Emma and the other pecan shellers' shoes as we felt a bit apprehensive at first and then as more joined and the strikers moved faster, we let go and joined the chanting marchers.

The young actresses delivered passionate, polished performances and as we heard from the real Emma (she passed away in 1999) and heard her words through the two actresses who portrayed Emma, the play struck a chord. Shocking statistics appeared on the screen toward the finale of the performance about poverty and education among Mexican Americans and reminded us that our fight - the fight that inspired Emma to lead -- for better lives and futures is never over. Following the performance, during a discussion session, audience members spoke of knowing Emma or of having relatives who knew her. They spoke about their family members who worked as pecan shellers and of the struggles they faced. "An Altar for Emma" honored a courageous Latina leader and as I mentioned earlier, Eva Ybarra, the longtime accordionist, will also be honored for her achievements when Premios a la Musica Latina inducts her into their Hall of Fame. Read Ramiro Burr's music column for more details. She will be inducted on March 31.

28th annual Tejano Music Awards in S.A.

The 28th annual Tejano Music Awards took place today at La Villita and early reports say the show ran smoothly with great performances. Wish I could have been there, but I heard that Internet radio station BNET broadcast the program live so maybe some of the performances will be replayed there.

I'm sad that some of the newer female artists, especially Megan Leyva, were not recognized. She has worked hard and consistently, releasing an admirable CD last year, "Encontre Mi Camino." She was up against veterans Elida and Shelly for female vocalist and hometown favorite Rebecca Valadez so the competition was tough (especially with Elida on a roll right now) but Megan has put out the freshest new and what I consider truly Tejano music in a while. (See full 2008 TMA nominee list.) I classify her as the future of Tejano music and definitely a "promising new artist."

Ramiro Burr's Latin Notes Now blog from the San Antonio Express-News published the complete list of winners first (before TMA even):
Song: "Elida's Medley," Elida Reyna
Male vocalist: Jay Perez
Female vocalist: Elida Reyna
Entertainer: Jay Perez
Album, Tejano: "35th Anniversary," Ruben Ramos & Mexican Revolution
Album, Conjunto: "Chuco's," Los Garcia Brothers
Crossover Song: "His House," Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz
Vocal Duo: Shelly Lares and Sunny Sauceda
Most Promising Band: Tex-Mex Kadillaks
Showband: Jay Perez

Cumbia Caucus: Long live Precinct 1012!

The two-step cumbia caucus (forget the Texas Two-Step!) was most crazy last night. I waited along with family, friends (old and new!) and a cast of random characters for more than three and a half hours before I was able to sign my commitment for Hillary Clinton. Sequestered in the cafeteria of my old elementary school with the lively and diverse crowd (to state it mildly) was surreal, as someone put it. We argued, complained, got thrown out as a crowd and let back in again, but remained through it all to ensure that our vote counted.

The caucus is a terrible process, made worse by the fact that the election and precinct officials had no clue about the rules. It took us hours to even nominate a person to pick up the packet of instructions let alone open them, read and comprehend the rules, and explain them to the tired masses. The process needs help.

See this clip of the caucus chaos that ensued during our raucous caucus experience shortly after our entire precinct was temporarily kicked out of the cafeteria! The other clip shows us finally nominating a secretary. (The sound on the videos is not high quality - I'm trying to figure that out.)

Long live Precinct 1012! (Once I left and heard that rowdy caucuses took place all across the state, I felt much better about myself and my old barrio.)

From Crackle: Mar 05 2008 - VID000131

The entire experience was worth it when we learned that Hillary did win the Texas Primary!

La Mafia for Hillary!

I hadn't seen La Mafia perform in years but they looked and sounded good on Friday night as they kicked off the festivities for the Hillary rally at Hemisfair Park. I only wish they had played longer than an hour because we still had to wait another almost hour and a half before Hill arrived. The fans got a little rowdy and the wait was so tiring on my feet!

Check out this brief YouTube clip taken by a friend. Oscar de la Rosa said the band was invited to perform and they didn't have to be asked twice! I thought it was funny that people started shouting out requests and in the YouTube clip, you can hear someone yell out: "Un Millon de Rosas!" The band did close with that song. They played "Vida" and even some older oldies like "Mi Loca Pasion" (te quiero mas y mas y mas y mas y mucho mucho mas!)



Vote tomorrow if you haven't already and don't forget that the caucuses start at 7:15 p.m.! Read more about it here.

New music from Elida, Kumbia All Starz

In case you hadn't noticed, the site is heavy on Elida images and music in anticipation of her latest CD release, "Domingo" -- her first CD on the Freddie Records label. The first single "Te Espero" is catchy, danceable and different -- all qualities that Elida's music is known for. She's unique and not afraid to experiment with a variety of sounds, which is probably why she has lasted so long in the male-dominated Tejano industry. She consistently puts out music with a fresh feel. We'll post on Elida's latest CD (released Feb. 12) in more detail in a future post.

With Pee Wee gone, Kumbia All Starz have released new music in the form of a single called "Por Ti Baby" featuring Panamanian artist, Flex ("Te Quiero"). The song is addictive and I love his voice (both the rapping and singing) it's so distinctive. I hope the CD is just as hot. It's out on March 4, 2008 -- "Planeta Kumbia."

TBB Player: Featuring Elida

Check out some of Elida's top hits!

Just click on the song title and you'll see cover art from the album.

New and better blog coming soon!

A new and improved Tejano Beat Blog will be here soon!