LaDezz is one of the hottest new groups in Tejano music, featuring a trio of powerful vocalists, including brothers Mark Ledesma and David Ledesma along with Lisa Mar.
The band from San Antonio, Texas has just released their latest single, “Que Tu Me Quieres,” and spoke about their latest track, upcoming debut album and much more during an interview with Tejano Nation Radio affiliate La Voz 93.3 FM in Abilene, Texas on Sept. 27.
The trio told La Voz 93.3 midday host Ro-Z about how they came together to form LaDezz, their unique music style, and the many years of experience for the brothers in Tejano music.
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LISTEN: La Dezz discuss new single, upcoming debut album + more
A ceremony to place a custom monument at the gravesite of late Tejano icon Jimmy Gonzalez will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Fans, family and friends are invited to the event at Buena Vista Burial Park in Brownsville, Texas, located at 5 McDavitt Boulevard, at 5:00 p.m.
A post on the Jimmy G Forever Facebook page announced the event on Monday. “After a year of planning we are so grateful to announce the following: Join us as we formally unveil Jimmy’s resting place uniquely created by Jimmy’s family and the well known Tim Morris, aka Cemetery Tim. Your presence is appreciated.”
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Morris owns a headstone company in Toppenish, Washington, providing families with personalized headstones, tombstones, memorials, monuments and more. He created custom headstones for late rapper Eric “Eazy-E” Wright and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of hip-hop group TLC.
“I have been working with the Gonzalez family to create Jimmy Gonzalez a true tribute, one that will reflect his musical career that stretched over three decades,” said Morris.
Gonzalez was a pioneer, a legend and a multiple Grammy Award winner that achieved international acclaim as co-founder of one of the most successful Tejano groups ever, Mazz. He died of cardiac arrest in June 2018 at the age of 67.
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Pop star Ally Brooke paid tribute to her idol Selena Quintanilla-Perez with her dance during Monday night’s episode of Dancing With The Stars on ABC.
The former Fifth Harmony member performed a stunning rumba with partner Sasha Farber to Selena’s 1995 hit song “Dreaming Of You” during movie night on the dance competition. The Tejano singer was murdered when she was only 23-years-old and became the subject of the biopic “Selena” starring Jennifer Lopez.
Ally Brooke delivered a beautiful dance in tribute to someone who meant so much to her. “I want to give them a shout out, all the Quintanillas. Suzette, we got to see her a few days ago,” she told Erin Andrews after the dance, showing off the “Selena” pin in her hair. “Selena’s in my heart forever. I hope I made her proud.”
The duo scored their highest points of the season so far, scoring 24 points of 30.
Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. See more on Brooke’s love for Quintanilla in the video below.
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YouTube singing sensation Allison Vela premiered the official video for her debut single, “Si Te Vas,” on Tuesday (Sept. 30).
“This first single has been a huge chapter in my life,” Vela said in a social media post. “I’ve had an amazing experience finding myself throughout this whole process.”
Vela became a viral sensation after the aspiring singer posted an amazing acoustic cover of “Vuelvo” from Mazz on her YouTube channel in September 2018.
The original song written by Vela wasn’t originally meant for the newcomer. “I wrote it in hopes of giving it to another band,” she said. “When that didn’t happen, I decided to record it. And now, its crazy to me that it’s gonna be my first single.”
“Si Te Vas” is available now at all major digital platforms.
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Newcomer Marie Bueno makes her official music debut with the release of “Anticipación” on Sept. 27 from Gold Man Records.
The heartfelt original with lyrics that touches real life’s precious moments was written by legendary songwriter Beto Ramon and produced by Grammy-winning producer Hugo Guerrero.
Bueno delivers elegant, strong vocals that will excite new fans with an introduction to the singer from San Antonio, Texas.
“Anticipación” is available now at all major digital music platforms. Learn more about Marie Bueno at her official website MarieBueno.com.
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Little Joe has been entertaining fans for over 50 years and the music legend is currently working on a book about his life story and is planning to celebrate his 79th birthday recording a live concert album.
The Tejano music icon shared details on the book and much more in an interview with Tejano Nation radio affiliate La Voz 93.3 in Abilene. The book will be written by international award-winning author and Texas native Emma Gonzalez and is expected to be finished in December.
Little Joe added he will be celebrating his 79th birthday recording a live concert album on Oct. 12 in Corpus Christi, Texas, the same city he recorded his first live concert album 40 years ago.
Listen to the full interview with Little Joe below.
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Da Krazy Pimpz released the official music video for “A Traves Del Vaso,” the lead single from the group’s upcoming album on Bordertown Records.
The quartet, who won Entertainers of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards in 2018, will release their long-awaited new album, “El Baile Se Encendio,” on Monday, Oct. 7 to all digital music platforms and local record stores.
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La Sombra de Tony Guerrero is planning a return to the stage after the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Famer announced he is healthy after battling an infection for months.
He posted a social media video on Wednesday to update fans after his recent visit with doctors.
“I am feeling pretty good,” Guerrero said in the video. “They took the tube out, and my wounds, I don’t have to put dressings on them anymore. They closed up and I’m very happy about that.”
He added fans can expect La Sombra back on stage on Oct. 12 at R&R Cantina in Pasadena, Texas, featuring an appearance by young accordionist Christopher Ramirez.
La Sombra, known as “The Windy City Boys” because of their hometown of Aurora, Illinois near Chicago, released over twenty full-length studio albums featuring songs in both Spanish and English. Their many hits include “Mi Guerita Coca-Cola”, “El Sapo”, “Pepe le Pew”, and “Porque Te Quiero”, the title track from their 1991 album that peaked at the top of the Billboard Regional Mexican Albums Chart for three weeks.
The group has been credited with influencing the Tejano and Cumbia music fields in terms of musical style, dress, and concert performances as well as a generation of newer artists including the Kumbia Kings, according to Wikipedia.
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Ricardo Chavira (left) and Gabriel Chavarria | Courtesy photos
Netflix is continuing to add to the cast for the highly-anticipated show, Selena: The Series.
Casting for Netflix’s upcoming series based on the life of the “Queen of Cumbia”, Selena, has added two actors to the cast.
Deadline reports that Desperate Houswives star Ricardo Chavira and Gabriel Chavarria of The Purge TV series have both joined the cast of Selena: The Series as key members of the Quintanilla family.
Chavira will portray Selena’s father, Abraham, “a savvy businessman determined to achieve the American dream.”
Chavarria has signed on to play the late singer’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla, known as “the mastermind behind the music; playing bass guitar, producing and writing songs for Selena.”
In August, Netflix found their Selena with Walking Dead alum Christian Serratos landing the coveted role, according to Vulture.
Selena: The Series is being described as a coming-of-age story about the legendary Tejano star’s life, up until her tragic death in 1995 at the age of 23.
The story of Selena’s life is expected to play out over two seasons. There’s no word on when we can expect the show to premiere via Netflix, but production is scheduled to start soon in Mexico.
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Shelly Lares (left) and Stefani Montiel | Photos: Tommy Gunz Photography
The 39th Annual Tejano Music Awards on Nov. 16, 2019 will feature a diverse array of performers to include two of Tejano’s top female artists Shelly Lares and Stefani Montiel, along with performer/producer Hugo Guerrero, Tejano icon “El Gato Negro” Ruben Ramos, the young, rising star Isabel Marie, and European musician Dwayne Verheyden, the accordion sensation mentored by the legendary Flaco Jimenez.
The Tejano Music Awards will be hosted by Texas comedian Raymond Orta, will be held at the historic Scottish Rite Theatre and the show will be followed by a live dance with performances byRam Herrera, Sunny Sauceda, and David Farias.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are “The First Lady of Conjunto Music” Linda Escobar and Tejano music pioneer Gilbert Rodriguez of the Blue Notes fame.
The awards night will start with a red-carpet ceremony to feature Tejano artists and special guests to be announced soon. The red-carpet showcase begins at 5 pm.
For tickets to the 39th Annual Tejano Music Awards & Dance, visit www.tejanomusicawards.com. Ticket prices start at $35.
The major sponsors for this year’s awards show are Budweiser and Hermes Music.
Fiesta de la Flor is a two-day festival that celebrates the life and legacy of late Tejano icon Selena and for the past 5 years has been held in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, until now.
Organizers announced that the event will no longer be held in Corpus Christi in a statement released on Thursday. “Unfortunately, even beautiful journeys must come to an end and the Selena Foundation and the Quintanilla family have announced that Fiesta de la Flor will no longer be held in Corpus Christi, Texas.”
Since it’s inception in 2014, the event “resulted in the biggest festival hosted in the city, drawing a combined 250,000 visitors and generating over $50 million in economic impact for the city of Corpus Christi.”
“The Quintanilla family is extremely grateful to the Visit Corpus Christi staff and Board of Directors for taking on the task of inviting Selena’s fans from across the globe to pay homage to her,” said the statement. “Celebrating Selena in her hometown of Corpus Christi gave Selena fans something to look forward to for the past five years.”
Organizers thanked the city of Corpus Christi and all the departments, sponsors, staff and volunteers “that worked tirelessly to put on a safe, fun festival for Selena’s fans.”
“In Selena’s beautiful spirit, the Selena Foundation has contributed thousands of dollars to organizations in Corpus Christi for the betterment of the community,” added the statement. “The Selena Foundation is committed to continuing Selena’s belief that the impossible is possible.”
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Elida Reyna opened up about her personal life, amazing career and more in an emotional interview for the premiere of season 2 on Up Close with Mingo Mariano.
The Latin Grammy winner, who is celebrating 25 years in Tejano music in 2019, spoke about her humble beginnings, insecurities, her idol Laura Canales and what’s in store for the singer’s future after music.
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Joe Lopez has been away from the music scene for over a decade, but the singer is preparing to make a return, according to his new record label.
Monterrey Music made the announcement via social media on Friday (Oct. 4).
“Joe Lopez is back fully ready to conquer the Tejano audience and the new generations,” said the record label. “He is preparing his return to the stage, as well as the recording of his new singles.”
Lopez was a part of legendary Grupo Mazz, one of the most popular groups in Tejano music, recording hit songs “No Te Olvidare,” “Estupido Romantico,” “Ven Devorame Otra Vez,” “Que Me Lleven Canciones,” and many more.
No official date for Lopez’s return was announced, but Tejano Nation will have more details as they become available.
Lopez was paroled in March 2018 after he served 12 years of his 32-year prison sentence for multiple sex offenses involving his 13-year-old niece. Thes singer has always maintained his innocence and is working towards exoneration.
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Los Palominos released the long-awaited new studio album, “Con La Fuerza De Un Huracan,” on Friday (Oct. 4). It’s the follow-up to their Latin Grammy-winning album “Piensalo,” the group’s first release under new record label Freddie Records.
The album was produced by Los Palominos and features 12 new songs including the hit title track featuring Oscar Ivan Trevino of Duelo on guest vocals. The track was penned by Trevino, who is also responsible for writing the mega-smash hit “Obsesion” for Los Palominos.
After nearly 25 years in the music industry, Los Palominos have established themselves as one of the premier groups, with great songs, outstanding vocal harmonies, catchy melodies, and big hooks.
“Con La Fuerza De Un Hurcan” from Los Palominos is available now at all major digital music platforms and FreddieStore.com. It promises to be another classic in a long line of must-have albums by this phenomenal group.
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LISTEN: Los Palominos – “Con La Fuerza De Un Huracan”
Vanessa Torres (left) and Sylvia Carrizales (right) received nominations for Journalist of the Year at 2020 All-Star Music Awards | Courtesy photo / Celestina Medina
Tejano Nation received two nominations for “Journalist of the Year” at the second annual Tejano All-Star Music Awards 2020 in San Antonio, Texas.
Entertainment reporter Vanessa Torres and music journalist Sylvia Carrizales each received a nomination in the category that recognizes journalists in the Tejano music industry.
“Tejano Nation has always strived to give the best content to Tejano fans, and with great journalists like Vanessa and Sylvia, I believe that we succeed in that goal as the top online presence for Tejano music, news, and entertainment,” said John Henry Medina, Digital Managing Editor at TejanoNation.net.
Torres joined Tejano Nation in December of 2018 as a music and entertainment news contributor. The San Antonio, Texas native also works as Creative Services Producer for Univision Costa Central in Santa Barbara, California. In addition, she hosts the Reventon Y Mas web series and has started her own clothing brand, Lucinda, that will launch during Chicago fashion week on Oct. 12.
Carrizales joined Tejano Nation in June of 2019 as a multimedia journalist. The award-winning reporter started writing about the Tejano music scene in 1995 while a high school student in San Antonio, Texas, where she started a column for the school newspaper titled “Tejano Beat,” that turned into Tejano news website, TejanoBeat.com, in 2006. She also covered Tejano music for MySa.com.
The All-Star Music Awards recognize the best in Tejano culture each year with categories that include music, radio, journalism, promotions and more. The second annual event is scheduled to take place at the Arneson River Theatre at La Villita in San Antonio, Texas on May 25, 2020.
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Educating the next generation on Tejano culture is always the main goal to keep Tejano alive and rising Tejano star and social media influencer Veronique Medrano is doing just that with the upcoming release of a Tejano children’s book.
Veronique shared details on its release during an interview with Rudy Trevino and Domingo Live on Oct 6. “It’s definitely a project out of love,” said Veronique. “We’re doing a Tejano children’s book with my company Apogee Publishing.”
The children’s book is written by Teresa Morales and will be released this fall from Veronique’s publishing company.
“You guys will get to see this beautiful book that I feel represents our Tejano music culture especially for the children,” she said. “This is something that I’ve been working on for the past year and we have more children’s books coming out.”
“That’s been my biggest proponent is education and putting more into that when it comes to our culture and our history and making sure to archive that,” she added.
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Missy returns with a new single, “Entregate,” a track from her upcoming album titled “Que Haria Sin Ti” due out in November from Discos Solcar.
The feel-good cumbia, with a great beat and catchy melody, was written by Rene De La Cerda and recorded, mixed and produced by Eddie Perez at Key of E Music.
“I was searching for a cumbia to complete my album and when I heard the first line, ‘Siento el corazon herida,’ I was hooked,” Missy told Tejano Nation about her latest single. “Then I heard the chorus, ‘Enregate completamente todo,’ I knew when my fans, male or female, could relate to how we all want to be loved. We all strive for that 100% in our relationships! ‘Entregate’ is the song to surely encourage that!”
Missy, formerly from Missy Y Xpression, took a break from the Tejano music scene a few years ago to start a family.
“Three years after my daughter Melody was born I was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma in 2009,” Missy told Tejano Nation. “After my chemotherapy and radiation treatments, five years later, I was considered a cancer survivor! At that time I knew it was time to get back to the music and make some noise.”
Since coming back to music in April of 2015, the singer from Persall, Texas has been playing venues across Texas and says her music is influenced by powerful female vocalists.
“Entregate” is available now at all major digital music platforms.
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Tejano singer/songwriter Anjeliquereleased the video for her powerful ranchera, “Amen,” this week.
The original song is written by Estevan Cerda from her latest album, “Proposito,” released in July of 2018. The video was directed by Ryan Bazan.
The visual features the striking, dark-haired vocalist in various sites including the inside of an empty church as she wears a long, flowing floral dress and kneels, praying with a rosary clasped in her hand; as she stands in a balcony in front of a stained-glass window, and then, standing in the aisle of the empty pews of the church with the altar behind her, singing with outstretched hands.
Anjelique is also featured dressed in black, backed by her band in a sunlit courtyard surrounded by various foliage and trees. The singer sits with her band as they talk at a dining room table beneath a glass chandelier and is again accompanied by her band as they perform in a field with three crosses standing as a powerful symbol behind them.
Anjelique’s strong, beautiful vocals sing in prayer and praise to God to help the world and her voice rings out with genuine emotion.
The video even references the recent El Paso mass shooting of Aug. 3, 2019, that left 22 victims in its wake. As Anjelique walks into a living room, scenes flash on a nearby television from a national channel as it announces the breaking news of the tragic event.
The video for “Amen” is a beautifully-directed and expertly-designed experience, and Anjelique’s passionate vocal display delivers a strong message of hope.
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Now, the band has released another collaboration and music video with Negami lead vocalist Juan Carlos Villegas titled “La Vide es Justa.” The song, written by Adrian Guerra and Jesus Antonio, features familiar sounds of Los Chamacos with a vocal performance from Ordonez and Villegas that is bursting with emotion. The conjunto ranchera with heart-wrenching lyrics paints a truly heartfelt and tragic picture of a man longing for closure in a relationship.
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Rodney Rodriguez and his Cucuys are drawing huge crowds everywhere they perform and I’m proud to say that Rodney a good friend of mine, had a chance to sit down with me and talk to Tejano Nation a little bit about his 20-year career in Conjunto music and his new band.
His career began at the age of just 16 years old when he became the accordion player for the popular Valley band, Los Fantasmas Del Valle.
As a young man, Rodriquez played all over the United States, even performing for The Smithsonian Folklife Festival which he was so very proud of.
Rodney Rodriguez | Photo: Mariaelena Arocha
Having his parents Evangelina and Miguel Rodriguez as his biggest supporters, the musician says there was no way he would’ve lasted one week with Los Fantasmas. Long trips, rides to and from gigs, his parents have been by his side from the beginning and remain constant with their love and support today.
I’ve been to many of his shows and as I sit and watch him perform I always see the joy and love his mother has for her son, as she beams with pride, not to mention the many loyal fans that are at just about every gig, like Samantha Perales longtime supporter, fan, and friend.
Los Cucuys superfan Samantha Perales | Photo: Mariaelena Arocha
After being with Los Fantasmas for over 17 years, Rodney felt it was time to move on and branch out on his own. Rodney knew it was going to be very tough to go on his own but wanted to sing more and express his own style as a musician, and the only way to do that was to leave.
In September 2017, Rodney and his Cucuys became a band and since then have been packing in crowds everywhere. It’s hard to believe that he is only 35 years old and already has a Conjunto career spanning over 20 years, that being said he has a great number of loyal friends and fans that flock to all his gigs, driving miles to see him and his band play.
Rodney has some of the very best musicians backing him, with over 30 plus years of experience, they sound tremendous together. On Bajo Sexto is Siji Perez, who is also second voice, quiet in nature, yet with his powerful bajo skills and great second voice, Siji and Rodney seem to mesh perfectly.
New drummer Javier Perez who replaced original drummer Tony Gonzalez (medical reasons), is no stranger to Conjunto music. Javier’s father is the great Conjunto legend Gilberto Perez Sr. Javier is excited about the future of Los Cucuys and enjoys playing alongside Rodney.
On bass is Siji’s brother Heberto “Beto” Perez. Although Beto’s first instrument is the Bajo and has played for over 25 years, he has been on bass with Rodney for the last two years. Beto says Rodney is a very talented young man and enjoys playing with him because he loves the way he plays and keeps the traditional Conjunto music style.
All the guys say the same thing when it comes to Rodney “he is a very talented musician with great ideas, and we admire and respect him very much, we’re like family.”
The future of Los Cucuys de Rodney Rodriguez looks very bright, with two hit albums under their belt already and the third album with CHR Records set to drop very soon, Rodney is extremely grateful to all the people that have supported him, like Jerry Benavidez, Nelda Saenz of KEDA radio, and all the DJs who take the time to play their music and he also gives thanks to everyone for their never-ending support, and of course his Mom, Eva Rodriguez, who is Rodney’s biggest fan and supporter.
Look for Rodney’s new album coming out very soon and catch some of his live performances.
You can follow Rodney on Facebook for all his latest events and get more information on the band. Rodney thanks Tejano Nation for supporting him and Conjunto music.
For booking Los Cucuys call (956)416-0007.
Lastly, on a personal note I’d like to say that although I do go and see many Conjunto’s perform, it’s hard not to notice all the emotion Rodney and his band seem to extract from the crowd. I love photographing and recording them, you can clearly see all the skill, love and passion each member has for the music and that’s just one of many reasons to give these guys your support.
Thanks Rodney, Siji, Beto, and Javier for your time, it was a great pleasure.
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