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.