Many Tejano artists stayed quiet on the controversial matter, but several other voices chimed in on the decision from the Texas Talent Musicians Association (TTMA) to withdraw its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for prolific Tejano vocalist Joe Lopez, a convicted sex offender.
Lopez, along with the late Tejano legend Jimmy Gonzalez, co-founded one of the industry’s most popular groups, Mazz, but separated in the late 1990s, with Lopez’ conviction coming in 2006. Lopez served 12 years of a 20-year sentence for the rape conviction of his 13-year-old niece in 2004. Lopez was scheduled to perform at the 43rd Tejano Music Awards, but that is off, too.
Public reaction from industry insiders and fans proved passionate whether they agreed or disagreed with the TTMA’s decision. Meanwhile, fellow artists stayed silent for the most part.
Popular Tejano podcaster Bumper Gomez announced in bold letters on his Facebook page, “WELL WELL here it is! Social media did what social media is supposed to do! The people have spoken and again TTMA you did the right thing!”
In his criticism of the TTMA’s initial decision to honor Lopez, former EMI Latin and Sony Discos executive and current president/CEO of Seven Rivers Music, Pig Haus Music, and Latin Groove News, Jose Rosario Gonzalez, pointed out other worthy Lifetime Achievement Awards recipients, including Shelly Lares, Ram Herrera, Stefani Montiel, Jay Perez, Elida Reyna, Bobby Pulido, and David Lee Garza.
In perhaps the most eloquent response, Gonzalez applauds the TTMA’s decision to rescind the award, he said, “There had to be a balance between the redemption of an artist and the reopening of the pain and suffering of the victims and their families. Any award given under those circumstances will forever be tarnished. Rescinding the award is a courageous and wise decision by TTMA.”
The Forever Jimmy G. page shared on Facebook, “Thank you to Forever Jimmy G fans, family, and friends for helping to conserve the legacy of Jimmy Gonzalez. Your concerns created a public outcry demanding that Tejano music’s prestigious entities hold their Lifetime Achievement Award recipients to higher standards in character, morality, and ethics.”
Ralph Cortez, a vocalist with The Royal Jesters, simply responded to the announcement on his Facebook page, with “Karma has spoken!”
Stevie D, a four-time Tejano Music Awards winner, shared his opinion with Tejano Nation. “I feel a lifetime achievement recognition should be for one’s lifetime achievements in their prospective field as in music, arts, entertainment, humanitarian services, and so on. To be recognized for how he/she overcame adversity, for how he/she gave back to the community, and things of that nature but certainly not to someone with such a sensitive past as there was in this case. With all due respect, the award show would have been further tainted had it not reconsidered and reversed the initial decision.”
Other Tejano artists either did not respond to requests for comment or others simply said, “No comment.”
Tejano fans weighed in on the decision, too, with many who agreed that the award not be presented to Lopez while many others still supported the troubled but talented singer of many of Tejano music’s most popular hits.
Jesse Sanchez Jr. of Michigan, shared on his Facebook page, “They won’t give him life achievement award but ALL the radio stations and supporters of Tejano music still play his music and sing it! What a bunch of hypocrites.”
Fan Sarah Gonzales wrote on her Facebook post a simple but powerful message: “It should have never been considered.”
Artist and educator Alvaro Del Norte shared on Facebook: “The Tejano Music Awards was about to give a convicted rapist a lifetime achievement award. How you ask? It’s because the Tejano community would rather look the other way. Just go read the comments in support of Joe Lopez. Women with children are wholeheartedly supporting this monster. I’m both confused and disappointed.
We are better than this.”
Many fans still strongly support Lopez despite his criminal background and choose to focus on the music. Here is a sampling of what fans who stand behind Lopez had to say.
Fan Gilbert Estrada posted a comment to the Tejano Nation news article about the award withdrawal and said, “Joe doesn’t need an award. The way the music industry is nowadays, they will award someone like Peso Pluma. Joe paid for his crimes and should be treated equally. Joe keep being you and keep playing our music.”
BerBrian Dowse also commented on the Tejano Nation article saying, “Yet he sells out at every performance. It’s ok Joe! Your true fans will always back you up. You don’t need a trophy. You sing for us! That’s all that counts.”
Fans may still have a chance to cheer for Lopez at the 43rd Annual Tejano Music Awards set for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, as Lopez is nominated in three categories: Male Vocalist of the Year and Tejano Album of the Year.
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