Jonny Ramirez entertained many Tejano music fans as the morning show host at KXTN for over 20 years, until he was released from the San Antonio radio station in October 2015.
Now, the longtime Tejano radio personality, who was a true San Antonio treasure and one of the city’s most beloved celebrities, spoke about his untimely departure in an exclusive interview with the Cruz Control with A.C. Cruz Behind The Mic podcast.
El Jonne also reminisced about his long radio career, his philanthropy work with many children’s charities and so much more.
He currently adds his unique style of radio fun to Fierro 107.5 HD2’s morning show in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, teaming once again with his former KXTN morning partner J.D. “Bo Leo” Gonzalez.
Listen to the raw, uncensored interview with Jonny Ramirez on the Cruz Control with AC Cruz Behind the Mic podcast below. Hear previous episodes and get more details at CruzControlWithACCruz.com.
Young singing sensation Mia has released her first single since winning Best New Female Artist at the 38th annual Tejano Music Awards on November 17, becoming the youngest artist ever to win one.
The 11-year-old singer’s new track is “El Color de Tus Ojos,” a cover of the hit song from Banda MS. Mia’s version is a Tejano cumbia with a fusion of light brass to pay homage to the Banda original.
Like many other Tejano artists before her, Mia has branched out musically, while remaining true to her own Tejano style.
Since winning the Best New Female Artist award, Mia has been compared to late Latin music icon Selena by many mainstream media outlets, but the Austin, Texas singer wants be known as her own artist.
“I love her. I’ve always kind of looked up to her,” Mia told U News. “Some people compare me to her, she’s a big inspiration. She’s opened many doors for a new generation, but I also want to be my own person. I want to be Mia, I want to be recognized as — like, ‘Wow that’s Mia, she’s inspired many people’.”
“El Color de Tus Ojos” and her debut album La Reina del Mundo is available now at all major digital music platforms.
La Calma released their highly-anticipated new single, “Entonces Que Somos,” a cover of the 2013 hit song from Banda El Recodo.
“Usually we put out original songs, but this is an actual cover song,” La Calma frontman Leo Correa told Tejano Nation. “We’re excited, because it’s not banda, but this is all La Calma.”
Correa said La Calma fans will love their version of the song, “This is song that they’re definitely going to want to listen to. It’s a great song, it’s a ranchera and it has a great powerful meaning…and I know it’s going to be a big hit.”
This is the second single released from La Calma since joining new record label VMB Music Group. It’s the follow-up to the hugely successful “Perdóname” released in November 2017.
La Calma plans to release a new album in early 2019.
“Entonces Que Somos” is available now at all major digital music platforms.
Sarah Monique released a powerful visual for her latest single, “Me Vale,” on Friday.
The visual, filmed and edited by Ryan Bazan, features the pain of a broken relationship, alcoholism and attempted suicide, but overcoming those obstacles to become a stronger person.
“The music video has a big strong message,” Sarah Monique said in a Facebook live video. “It’s all inspired by somewhat true events in my life…I hope you guys related to it to some point or some way or someone that you know is going through a hard time and maybe you should show them the video…you gotta keep going strong.”
The song, written by Gerardo Alvarez and Miguel A. Lopez, is the latest single from Sarah Monique’s album Esta Noche Te Olvido, released in January.
“As you all know, my album talks about a past relationship and the stuff I felt, everything that I went through,” she said. “Each track talks about me overcoming the pain…coming back stronger than ever.”
“Me Vale” and the album Esta Noche Te Olvido from Sarah Monique is available at all major digital music platforms.
Austin, Texas — Multi-talented and award-winning musician J.R. Gomez will present his 1st Annual Toy Drive and Concert at the Spider House Ballroom in Austin on Friday, December 7. Proceeds from the event will benefit SAFE Austin, a nonprofit organization serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence.
A variety of different performers will donate their time for this event including Tejano and Conjunto artists Jess Lopez, Raphael Rodriguez, and The Conjunto Cats. Gomez will take the stage himself with his band, the Conjunto Bandits, along with special guests Tristan Ramos, Vanessa Del Fierro and Ted Hall. Rounding out the bill will be DJ Sweg, Latin rockers Boca Abajo and reggae courtesy of the Contrabandits.
This is an important project for Gomez, as he endeavors to give back to the community, especially to kids in need during the holidays. The goal, he says humbly, is to make a lot of kids happy and put smiles on their faces.
Partners of the event include, Austin non-profit organization Rancho Alegre Radio, grassroots advocacy group Hermanos de East Austin, and is sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and cover charge is one unwrapped toy or $5 minimum donation, ages 21 and up are welcome.
The Spider House Ballroom is located at 2906 Fruth Street, one block east of Guadalupe on 29th Street, just north of the University of Texas campus in central Austin.
More information, including a donation wish list, is available at ranchoalegreradio.org or in the Facebook event here.
After decades in the music business with Tejano groups Kumbia All Starz, Jay Perez, Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz and many others, accordionist and vocalist J.R. Gomez struck out on his own in early 2018 with his own four-piece Conjunto called J.R. Gomez y Los Conjunto Bandits. His sound is stripped-down and traditional with fiery accordion, a tight rhythm section, and a rock star vibe.
SAFE is a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, both long-standing and respected human service agencies in Austin serving survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. SAFE’s goal is ambitious and simple: stop abuse for everyone. Learn more about our services and programs at safeaustin.org.
Multimedia journalist Vanessa Torres joins Tejano Nation as music news and entertainment contributor. She will cover Tejano music events and feature stories for TejanoNation.net, the #1 source for Tejano music, news and entertainment.
“Vanessa’s passion for reporting the news and her love of music is a great combination that will be a tremendous addition to the Tejano Nation team,” said John Henry Medina, Digital Managing Editor at Tejano Nation. “Her outstanding and entertaining content for TejanoNation.net will help keep it as the premier online presence for Tejano music, news, and entertainment.”
Torres has spent the past year covering news in the Midwest area of the U.S., currently as an anchor and reporter for the new streaming network Studio 309 in Peoria, Illinois. She also served as News Director for Cromwell Radio Group in Effingham, Illinois, and producer for WEEK-TV in Peoria, Illinois. She gained experience at jobs in New York, New Jersey and Tennessee over the past five years. She also contributes to EvoNews.com.
Torres is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and a 2011 graduate of Business Careers High School. She received an Associates of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from the University of Phoenix in 2014 and a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Full Sail University in 2016.
Beatriz Gonzalez released a teaser of her upcoming music video “La Basurita” on Monday.
“Here’s a lil preview of my next Mariachi music video,” Gonzalez posted on her Facebook page. “Check it out, let me know what you think.”
The official music video is set to debut on Friday, December 7 on the singer’s YouTube channel.
“La Basurita” is the lead single from the viral video sensation’s upcoming La Tequilera Vol. 2 EP.
Gonzalez became a viral sensation in November 2017 when a video of the singer belting out an impromptu performance of the mariachi classic “Los Laureles” at the famous San Antonio eatery Mi Tierra garnered millions of views, currently at over 3.7 million views.
The singer’s five-song EP, La Tequilera Vol. 1, features covers of classic mariachi hits and is available now at SilentGiantEntertainment.com and all major digital platforms.
Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @TejanoNation, for the latest Tejano music, news and entertainment.
WATCH: Beatriz Gonzalez releases “La Basurita” video teaser
Conjunto Halcon perform on Jueves con Cadena. | YouTube / Luis Relampago
Conjunto Halcón is a group made up of students from Los Fresnos High School’s Conjunto program and the students recently performed two classic songs in a video being shared throughout social media.
The performance featured a medley of “Azucar,” a hit song for Los Kumbia Kings in 1999 and “Yolanda,” the 1996 hit song from Jaime Y Los Chamacos. It was filmed during an episode of “Jueves Con Cadena,” a video blog that invites musicians to share not only their talent but their musical experience as well with Luis Cadena, Jr. and friends.
The Conjunto program at Los Fresnos High School has been changing the lives of students along the border since its inception in 2012 under the direction of award-winning accordionist Juan Longoria, Jr. The program “motivates its students to work hard, stay in school, and strive for their dreams, simply by teaching them to play the music that is an integral part of their cross-cultural identity,” according to a 2015 article in Texas Highways magazine.
Conjunto Halcón has earned awards including a rating of 1 under the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Experimental Music Category and the talented young students perform at various cultural arts events across the state throughout the year.
Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, @TejanoNation, for the latest Tejano music, news and entertainment.
WATCH: Conjunto Halcón performs “Azucar” and “Yolanda” medley
Has Jamie Y Los Chamacos broken up? That’s the question many fans are asking this week after some social media posts by band members.
No official statement has been released by JYLC, but according to a social media post by frontman Jaime DeAnda, he is currently looking for new band members.
“Looking for a bajo, bass, congas and drummer…inbox me,” DeAnda posted on Wednesday.
A social media post by DeAnda’s wife, Darlene, gave a little more insight into a breakup saying, “People only say what they want you to know, but there are two sides to every story and the only people that know the whole story are the ones that are involved. All I can say is that Jaime DeAnda loves his job and his fans too much to quit. Keep an eye out because this isn’t the end of Jaime DeAnda, it is just a new beginning…Jylc Chamacos is no longer affiliated with us!”
Jaime Y Los Chamacos have been entertaining fans with their high-energy, signature sound since 1982 and released many successful albums and classic hits including “Yolanda,” “Mi Musica Favorita,” and many more. The band has received multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations and was inducted into the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in 2011.
In October, the band suffered a devastating loss when their van and trailer filled with over $150,000 in equipment was stolen while the band was eating lunch at a Houston, Texas restaurant.
Is this the end of the legendary band JYLC? We’ll have to wait for an official statement to know more.
Grammy Award-winning Max BacaY Los Texmaniacs stopped by Casino del Sol on November 29th while passing through to Phoenix and California. Los Texmaniacs delivered a solid upbeat performance.
The group took time out to catch up with Tejano Nation. Baca touched on his childhood, learning how to play the accordion at the age of 5 in Albuquerque New Mexico. The combination of rock and roll, jazz and conjunto were inherited by his father Max Baca, Sr.
Playing at Fiestas, parties, and public events, Max stated that they played a form of music called “Chicken Scratch” (also known as Waila music), which is an instrumental kind of dance music developed by the Tohono O’odham People.
At the age of 12, Baca joined his brother, Jimmy to form their own group, Los Hermanos Baca. That’s when Flaco Jimenez, one of Max’s major idols, invited Max to San Antonio and play bajo sexto in his band. He continued to play with the Texas Tornados, but in 1997 created Los Texmaniacs.
Josh Baca (The Magician) also started at a young age, watching his uncle Max and his father, Jimmy Baca, play music. At the age of 17, Josh decided to move to Texas to pursue performing and studying conjunto masters. In 2012, a huge opportunity came when uncle Max needed an accordion player for his Grammy award-winning band, Los Texmaniacs. Josh has been busy performing with many artists such as Flaco Jimenez, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Jimmy Vaughn, just to name a few. He was a master instructor for the 2016 Folk Alliance Conference at the age of 24.
During the interview, Josh stated that their music represents and makes a statement about being Mexican-Americans. Their new album, Cruzando Borders, pertains to other countries not only the situation here in the Southwest.
Max Baca has created history by becoming the first Native New Mexican to have won a Grammy and to have his original bajo sexto to be preserved in the National Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian Folkways is a non-profit record label of the Smithsonian Institute located at the Capitol Gallery in downtown Washington, D.C. For more information, you can view the official website www.folkways.si.edu.
Selena fans can now purchase the H-E-B Selena tote bags online after a technical issue kept some fans from buying the bags on Thursday morning.
H-E-B updated customers on Thursday afternoon, “ALL forms of payment are now working on selena.heb.com! The #SelenayHEB bags are also available now in stores. Thank you for your patience!”
The San Antonio, Texas-based grocery chain posted an update early Thursday morning that said, “We are currently having payment issues with our selena.heb.com website that we are working with PayPal to solve, and will let our customers know when it is fixed! The #SelenayHEB bags are available now in stores.”
The bags can be purchased on H-E-B’s website at selena.heb.com.
La Mafia perform at George H.W. Bush memorial in Houston. | YouTube/ABC 13 Houston
The city of Houston paid tribute to President George H.W. Bush on Monday and Tejano music legends La Mafia was a part of the memorial.
The memorial was a celebration of life for the nation’s 41st president, who passed away on Friday. It was filled with music, silly socks and much more.
Four-time Grammy winners La Mafia performed two songs at the ceremony, that also included performances from R&B singer Yolanda Adams, and Country stars The Gatlin Brothers and Clay Walker.
WATCH: La Mafia performs at Bush memorial in Houston (Begins at 15:45 of video)
Los Texmaniacs received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Regional Mexican Album (Including Tejano) for their album Cruzando Borders. The Recording Academy announced the nominations for the 61st Grammy Awards on Friday.
This is the second Grammy nomination for the band from San Antonio, Texas, that was created by Max Baca in 1997 incorporating elements from genres such as Rock & Roll and Jazz, while still honoring the roots of conjunto and Tejano. In 2010, Los Texmaniacs won a Grammy Award for Tejano Album of The Year for Borders y Bailes.
See the full list of nominees for the 61st Grammy Awards here. The Grammy Awards will air Feb. 10 on CBS, broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Beatriz Gonzalez released the official music video for her cover of the classic mariachi song “La Basurita” via her YouTube channel on December 7.
“La Basurita” is the lead single from the viral video sensation’s upcoming La Tequilera Vol. 2 EP.
Gonzalez became a viral sensation in November 2017 when a video of the singer belting out an impromptu performance of the mariachi classic “Los Laureles” at the famous San Antonio eatery Mi Tierra garnered millions of views, currently at over 3.7 million views.
The singer’s five-song EP, La Tequilera Vol. 1, features covers of classic mariachi hits and is available now at SilentGiantEntertainment.com and all major digital platforms.
Los Chamacos with Albert Canales (center) at Puro Beats Toy Drive in Houston, Texas on December 2. 2018. Photo: Jylc Chamacos Facebook
Just days after fans learned that Jaime DeAnda and Los Chamacos parted ways, the four remaining members of Los Chamacos returned to stage this weekend with a guest vocalist and accordionist.
Los Chamacos performed in Victoria, Texas on Friday night and Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday night with Albert Canales as guest vocalist and accordionist for the shows. Canales is the lead vocalist and accordion player for Un Nuevo Oro, a group from Alice, Texas that just released a new album, Preferidos, on November 26.
“We’ve had an interesting weekend, but I just wanted to get his off my chest before we start,” Canales told the crowd. “(I’m here) because one guy left four guys hanging, these four guys. So I want everybody to think about that…but I’m only here to help out my friends because they need me. They need somebody because they’re here providing for their families and when one guy tries to stop that, that ain’t good.”
“I’m not here to replace Jaime, nobody will ever replace Jaime DeAnda,” he added. “There is only one Jaime DeAnda and there will always only be one Jaime, but these are the Chamacos.”
Current Los Chamacos members include Roel Joslin, Eduardo “Chato” Ordonez, Ruben Mendoza and Gilbert Fierros.
Jaime Y Los Chamacos have been entertaining fans with their high-energy, signature sound since 1982 and released many successful albums and classic hits including “Yolanda,” “Mi Musica Favorita,” and many more. The band has received multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations and was inducted into the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in 2011.
In October, the band suffered a devastating loss when their van and trailer filled with over $150,000 in equipment was stolen while the band was eating lunch at a Houston, Texas restaurant.
Jesse Turner and Monica Saldivar | Photo: Monica Saldivar Facebook
Grupo Siggno performed “Juntos Hasta Morir” and “Duele” with 2015 Tejano Idol winner Monica Saldivar during a recent show in New Braunfels, Texas on November 24.
Siggno frontman Jesse Turner brought Saldivar on stage to perform the two songs and of course, it was all caught on video.
“I cannot even begin to tell you how thankful I truly am of this moment right here,” Saldivar said about the video. “Not only did I get the honor of opening up for Grupo Siggno, but also had the privilege to sing ‘Juntos Hasta Morir’ with the one and only Jesse Turner as well as sing ‘Duele’ by Elida Reyna last night in New Braunfels, TX.”
“Thanks Jesse for the opportunity,” she added. “I know you weren’t feeling well, but you still sounded amazing and you all put on one heck of a show…It will definitely be something I will never forget!”
After performing “Juntos Hasta Morir,” Turner pointed to Saldivar and told the crowd, “The future of Tejano music right here, ladies and gentlemen.”
Saldivar won the annual Tejano Idol competition in 2015 and released her debut single, “Este Dolor,” in July 2016, a Tejano/Norteño infused ranchera that was written by Juan Treviño and produced by Mario Ortiz.
A new scripted show depicting the life of Selena is coming to Netflix.
The streaming company giant released a promotion video via social media on Tuesday, adding the show will be produced by the Quintanilla family.
“Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s incredible life story is coming to Netflix as a scripted series! Selena: The Series was developed alongside and will be executive produced by The Quintanilla family,” Netflix posted on their official Facebook page.
Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Selena’s father, spoke to Tejano Nation about the series, saying it is in the very early stages, “The series is still being developed and we are looking for the right cast.”
He made it very clear this series is authorized by the Quintanilla family, unlike other projects that have been released.
”This series is the only other project (Selena 1997 Movie) that is authorized by the Quintanilla family,” he said.
Cast selection and development has already begun, however, Quintanilla added fans should not expect for the series to be released until 2020.
Roberto Pulido is set to celebrate the 45th anniversary of his musical career in January and the Tejano music legend talked about his amazing career, upcoming music projects and much more with the Cruz Control with AC Cruz Behind The Mic podcast.
After 45 years, “El Primo” is still in La Onda and doing it his way. Roberto and brother Eloy Pulido chat with AC Cruz about their humble beginnings, giving back to the community, his scholarships and endowments, his latest album has been put on hold…he’ll tell you why. Not to mention his 45th-anniversary celebration that will be epic.
Listen to the latest episode of the Cruz Control with AC Cruz Behind The Mic podcast below. Hear previous episodes and get more details at CruzControlWithACCruz.com.
“It was an honor and a privilege and a blessing to play her,” said Lopez. “I just learned so much from her.”
The film was the first starring role for Lopez and helped launch her acting career and later a singing career.
“I didn’t realize we were going to have similar trajectories and paths,” she added.
Selena: The Series was developed alongside and will be executive produced by The Quintanilla family, according to Netflix. Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, said cast selection and development has already begun and he added fans should not expect for the series to be released until 2020.
On March 31, 1995, 23 year-old Selena was gunned down by her fan club president Yolanda Saldívar, outside of a motel in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“We are so honored to have been recognized by our city,” Vasquez told Tejano Nation. “We grew up here, and this honor shows how much support we have here.”
The band will appear at a reception held by the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy where they will be the guests of honor.
In addition, Velazquez shared exclusive details for an upcoming music video, look for more details here at TejanoNation.net.
Velasquez is a BMI song writer and a voting member of The Recording Academy and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. He has written songs such as “Mal Hombre” for Hollywood Pictures Blood In Blood Out and “La Sirena” for the film Gino’s Wife, also the number one hit song “Trago Profundo.”
