Issuu

TEJANO

B BA AC CK K SS T A G E MUSIC & ART INDUSTRY PUBLICATION

EMILIO NAVAIRA LEGENDS NEVER DIE WHY YOU NEED AFFILIATE MARKETING

YOUNG LATINAS

FILMMAKER OLIVIA MARTINEZ SINGER MARIA PAULA

HEALTHY SUMMER RECIPES

EXCLUSIVE

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

LITTLE JOE HERNANDEZ

July/August

T E J A N O BACKSTAGE

CONTENTS

LIFESTYLE

EXCLUSIVE

48 PROGRAMMER NOTES 44 AFFILIATE MARKETING 47 TO DO LIST

SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPES

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES

ROOM FOR EVERYONE

THE LATE EMILIO NAVAIRA

FILMMAKER OLIVIA MARTINEZ

MARIA PAULA

JULY-AUGUST 2022

About As the owner of The Platinum Group Agency, I manage all aspects of marketing, website and artist management. As Marketing Director for Tejano Gold Countdown, I have grown to love the music and culture that is Tejano. My career began as a Morning Show Host with KRYS-FM (K99) in Corpus Christi, Texas, & soon took on the Promotions Director role. I found planning station events and acting as artist concierge exciting & very rewarding. Acting as liason between the business and performers allowed me insight and respect for both. It also gave me a distinct advantage to help create & build, without losing sight of the bottom line. I have worked as Morning Talent, Promotions Director and Program Director at Clear Channel Communications, (now iHeart Media) Tejas Broadcasting and Convergent Broadcasting. I was blessed to be the first on-air jock to rank number one in all age group demographics in 2005 and Favorite Radio Host for Best of the Best in 2006. After radio I began to work with non-profits, including Texas State Aquarium as the Capital Campaign Coordinator and Signature Events Director & Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas Marketing Director/Media Spokeperson. Most recently I was the Regional Directo for the Heart of Texas-,Better Texas-,Better Business Bureau, helping business owners and consumers and created the first program to be accepted to use the BBB Seal in 105 years. The program, Ethics In Action, is now being taught to children in the United States, Mexico and Canada, receiving recognition from WE.org, George Takei (Star Trek) and Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys.) Throughout my career I served as Board of Director for Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Board Director, Corpus Christi Education Foundation Board Director, Mayors Council for Education (Corpus Christi) Board Director, Advisory Council for Aged & Disability Board Director, The Builders Association Board Director, Vice President Board of Director of American Advertising Federation and graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Citizen Class of 2018. My passion is creating integrated key messaging, public relations strategies, internal and external communications, brand management and market strategies, all with a focus on helping grow the Tejano audience for generations to enjoy!

Editor’s Note WELCOME SUMMER

Kelly Trevino

Thank you to everyone that made Tejano Backstage a HUGE success! Your support has been overwhelming. We now have over 3,000 subscribers and more than 15, 000 Tejano fans downloaded last month's issue! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support means the world to us. Print copies are now available on our website- www.tejano-backstage.com

Contact-TejanoBackstageMag@gmail.com

Featured Contributor As a self proclaimed cat-lover, men's fashion addict and plant dad to all, Chase West offers his unique perspective on the music industy. In this month's issue of Tejano Backstage, Chase offers a glimpse into the life of Emilio Navaira, a legend in both Tejano and Country music. 4

Tejano Backstage Magazine

JULY-AUGUST 2022 WWW.TEJANO-BACKSTAGE.COM

Our July/August issue features an icon in the industry, Little Joe Hernandez. Sitting down with Joe, was an honor. Our conversation went from politics to his family history, with many laughs in between. Tejano Backstage also caught up with young Latinas making an impact in our industry! Filmmaker Olivia Martinez speaks candidly about what diversity looks like in film and how what it means to create stories through film. And we sit down with nine-year-old singing sensation Maria Paula to find out why she wants to sing, where her talent comes from and why she is so driven at such a young age! Our marketing also shares some tips on promoting music in today's digital age, and the importance of protecting your music.

Music

I can feel her presence Often compared to the late Selena Quintanilla, Maria Paula says she can sometimes feel Selena with her on stage. "When I feel her with me it feels really peaceful. Sometimes it can feel kind of scary, because I can't explain it, but I really do feel her with me sometimes." MP- Maria Paula

Ready to take on tejano By Kelly Trevino

Tejano Backstage | 2022 | July-August

I first heard of Maria Paula, or MP as she likes to be called when I was tagged in a video of her singing one of Selena Quintanilla's songs. Wearing a red Selena t-shirt, sitting in the passenger seat of a car, Maria Paula begins, "Selena, I hope you like this. I love you to Heaven and back." I have to admit, my curiosity was peaked, but I received quite a few videos and music downloads daily, so my expectations were minimal. She's adorable, I thought, but that's a difficult song for any artist let alone a little girl. Then she began to sing, "Como La Flor,..." Within seconds, Maria Paula had my full attention... It wasn't only the strength of her voice at such a young age, it was more than that. It's hard to explain, and it seems I'm not the only one that feels that way.

father, Joe Mazon, talks about the day he decided to record Maria Paula in the car, ".On her ninth birthday, I remember that day. We had decided that her birthday would be a Selena-themed birthday. We had tshirts made and had all the decorations. We went to go drop her brother off at work and we were sitting in the car I asked her if she could sing a song to Selena and she agreed and she told Selena she loved her and started singing, Com la Flor. I was like, like in shock. Her vocals, everything was just perfect. and we were recording it in the car! After that she tells me, 'You know I love Selena and I always have." As time went on, Maria Paula would share the deep connection she felt with Selena and that it was much more than just a girl looking up to a superstar. "As time went on," Joe starts, "Maria Paula says to me, 'You know, I feel her with me.' Joe admits it was a bit of a shock, but goes on to say some of Maria Paula's fans have reinforced the feeling with how they react to her. "On one of her videos, we have something like 12 million views. Something like 2 million of those people say Maria Paula has Selena's spirit. We've been overwhelmed by people, in Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, and of course Arizona where we live. They send us messages saying, she is Selena reborn. We can't respond to EVERY message because it's overwhelming, but the people we have spoken to tell us they feel that vibe from her. They say, Selena was special, and she will always be in our hearts. But Maria Paula has that same energy that Selena had. At events, kids and older women, cry and want to hug her. They have this emotion before she even starts singing." Maria Paula's parents were understandably proud when their daughter was recently invited to share the stage with Michael Salgado and Bobby Pulido at an event in Lordsburg, New Mexico, where he witnessed more of these spiritual interactions, "We were seeing all these people crying, and my daughter asked what was wrong with them," Joe says.

"I had to explain to her "We don't know anything about music. that there's nothing wrong We are learning, but we don't come from with them, that's just the emotion they are feeling this world." Joe continues, "MP has told towards you." Joe Mazon me that sometimes it feels as if people explains why people get consume her, because of all the attention emotional when it comes and it's a lot of pressure for her. But she's to his nine-year-old getting used to it and it's all she's ever wanted daughter, Maria Paula to do. She sang at two years old. She sang before she could even talk!" That they do not understand the music industry has not deterred them from figuring out how to make MP's dreams come true. Maria Paula's parents are her strongest supporters and MP continues to say that if she could record ANY song it would be Selena's, Como La Flor. A social media sensation at only nine years old, MP, already has a strong following on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok MP has gone viral with several of her videos, including the one of her singing at only two years old. Singing for quinceaneras, private parties, and regularly at Tiny's restaurant, in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona, it is not lost on me that the parallels of Selena's early life are similar. The music world is talking about the little girl with a grown-up voice. One of MP's most treasured videos is when she had the opportunity to meet Selena's brother AB Quintanilla at an event. You only have to look at AB's face to see that he was not prepared for Maria Paula to have such talent. Singing a song written by AB Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo in 1992, Que Carias, and performed by Selena. Maria Paula noticeably impressed AB. Throughout the video, AB claps and folds his arms around him, getting chills as he listens. When MP finishes AB immediately says, "Hit me up on Instagram! Please reach out." Still perfecting her craft, Maria Paula continues to perform for audiences and is adding dates to her calendar every day. Having already shared the stage with Michael Salgado and Bobby Pulido, more artists and songwriters are contacting MP to help her succeed in her dream, which includes meeting Mr. Abraham Quintanilla, the father of the woman she respects so much. As a fan and friend of the late Selena Quintanilla, I can't help but feel Selena would be proud of the little girl that has been so inspired by her. I also think Selena would get a kick out of MP singing anywhere the mood strikes, whether that be a large stage, restaurant, or grocery store. And yes, this nineyear-old sensation does remind me of Selena. If someone can have 'it,' I believe she does. The hope for Maria Paula is to travel to Corpus Christi, Texas, and visit the museum and statue of her icon, Selena. I have a feeling that will be happening very soon, but for now, MP is happy to sing and honor the woman whom she feels a strange connection to, Selena Quintanilla. 12

"People tell me I'm the next Selena. I tell them, 'No, there will never

another

Selena. I respect her, and I'll be like her maybe, but I don't want to fill her shoes,

P A A I U R

because possible.

that's

not

I want to

make Selena proud of me, and I like singing her songs, but I'm not trying to be Selena. I'm just MPMaria Paula." 13

Q PRODUCTIONS THE OFFICIAL STORE

AVAILABLE NOW

www.q-productions.com

A Father's Dream: My Family's Journey in Music chronicles the life of a musician, performer, man of God, and successful Mexican-American entrepreneur. This story takes the reader on the journey of his life, a life that reflects the up and down experiences of a self-made success. With a raw emotion and honesty, he shares the twists and turns of a road many readers may have been forced to travel and a few others hope never to traverse. From the sublime joys of fatherhood, to the accomplishment of creating a musical empire and surviving its failures, he shares the unexpected life events that make up each of our lives. Every reader will gain a stronger sense of humanity and a deeper understanding of just how precious and fleeting life can be from reading this memoir.

El sueño de un padre: La travesía de mi familia en la música narra la vida de un músico, intérprete, hombre de Dios y exitoso empresario mexicano-estadounidense. Esta historia lleva al lector por el viaje de su vida, una vida que refleja las experiencias positivas y negativas de un éxito hecho a sí mismo. Con una emoción cruda y honestidad, comparte los giros y vueltas de un camino que muchos lectores pueden haberse visto obligados a viajar y algunos otros esperan no atravesar nunca. Desde las sublimes alegrías de la paternidad, hasta el logro de crear un imperio musical y sobrevivir a sus fracasos, comparte los acontecimientos inesperados de la vida que conforman cada una de nuestras vidas. Cada lector obtendrá un sentido más fuerte de humanidad y una comprensión más profunda de cuán preciosa y fugaz puede ser la vida al leer estas memorias.

MUSIC

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

BY CHASE WEST

TEJANO BACKSTAGE

Emilio Navaira August 23, 1962- May 16, 2016

Ask any Tejano fan who would grace a metaphorical Mount Rushmore representative of the genre and you’d likely get a wide array of passionate answers. Selena, undoubtedly the queen of Tejano herself, La Mafia, or Jay Perez would all be likely candidates, but one that any fan of the beloved genre would agree on would without question be the “Garth Brooks of Tejano himself”, Emilio Navaira. 21

LEGEND EMILIO NAVAIRA LIVES ON

By Chase West

Destiny Navaira

The neice of Emilio Navaira, Destiny lives in Monterrey, Mexico, and continues to perform. She was awarded the TMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2021. Her most recent release is Me Da Gusto, a catchy ranchera that blends classic Tejano with Nortena sounds.

Raulito Navaira

Raulito Navaira continues to play music across Texas & beyond, carrying on the name and legacy of the brother he loved so dearly, Emilio.

22 JULY-AUGUST | ISSUE 7-8

KEEPING THE MUSIC PLAYING

Known to most fans by the mononym Emilio, the San Antonio native & Grammy Award & Latin Grammy award-winning singer knew from a young age that music was his path. Growing up as a Texan, one can expect to be exposed to some of the better things in life: everything from soul-comforting Tex-Mex to loving family values, to Bluebell Ice Cream & Big Red soda. But music especially, which seems to thrive and flourish in the Lone Star State, expands any young Texan’s palette, according to Navaira. In his interview with Tejano Gold Countdown’s very own Rudy Trevino himself, Navaira explained, “Being from Texas you’re exposed to Country, Rock, Mexican regional, mariachi…” He explained that Tejano & Country, however, had the largest impact on him. With the love and passion for these genres in mind as well as a music scholarship to Texas State University, Navaira planned to share his wealth of knowledge through becoming a music teacher. Ultimately, however, he decided to take it one step further and pursue his dream of establishing a career in music. His traditional and rather “strict” (according to the singer), parents gave him their blessing to hit the road, as long as his little brother Raul, affectionately known as “Raulito”, could come along for the ride. When asked whether he ever felt lost in his older brother’s shadow, Raulito stated it was simply the norm. “He’s always been an idol to me. It feels weird if we’re not together.”

At only 21 years old in 1983, Emilio’s career took off with his lead vocals in David Lee Garza y Los Musicales, and by 1989 the brotherly duo was singing together. Navaira then started his own group known as Emilio y Grupo Rio and found himself signed to Capitol Records. No one could deny the waves Navaira was having on the industry. The 90s brought a lot of change, however, and Navaira adopted the mononym, Emilio. Leaning into change, even more, was the decision to transition from Tejano to Country, a move that was met with polarizing opinions. Emilio spoke on the criticism and accusations that he was drifting away from & forgetting his roots, saying “Well if you believe that, then I guess you’re not a real fan…people think I lost the Tejano part of me but it’s just not true.” In fact, the singer believed he was doing the exact opposite. I’m expanding Tejano music to other states that have never even of it.” Navaira said with confidence that at least 80 to 90% of Hispanic crowds have a healthy mix of appreciation when it comes to both the Country & Tejano genres, especially Texan fans.

Emilio & Brother Raulito 24

Simple Summer Recipes Avocado has more Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folate, Copper, Potassium, and Vitamin K, however, Butter has more Vitamin A and Fiber. Butter's daily need coverage for Saturated Fat is 242% more. Avocado has 86 times more Vitamin B6 than Butter. Avocado has 0.257mg of Vitamin B6, while Butter has 0.003mg. Avocado is lower in Saturated Fat.

TOPPING TOAST WITH FRESH AVOCADO OR GUACAMOLE IS A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO BUTTER

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? COOKING OIL VS PEANUT OIL Peanut oil has more Vitamin E , and Polyunsaturated fat, however Cooking oil is higher in Vitamin K, Iron, and Monounsaturated Fat.

Chicken meat has more Iron, Polyunsaturated fat, and Monounsaturated Fat, however Shrimp is richer in Copper, Phosphorus, and Calcium.

Cooking oil covers your daily Vitamin K needs 50% more than Peanut oil.

Shrimp covers your daily Copper needs 35% more than Chicken meat.

Cooking oil contains 3 times less Polyunsaturated fat than Peanut oil

Shrimp has 111 times less Monounsaturated Fat than Chicken meat.

Peanut oil contains 32g of Polyunsaturated fat, while Cooking oil contains 10.523g Cooking oil has less Saturated Fat. 26

SHRIMP VS CHICKEN

Chicken meat has 5.34g of Monounsaturated Fat, while Shrimp has 0.048g. Shrimp contains less Saturated Fat. Source: Food Struct

Healthy Alternatives To Tex-Mex Favorites

Quesadillas

8 oz shrimp, beef or chicken, *peel and devein shrimp if used 1/2-1 fresh jalapeno, diced 1 Tbs cilantro 1/4 cup lime juice 2 cloves crushed garlic 1 small tomato, diced 1⁄2 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 medium onion Salt and black pepper Cooking Spray or butter 4 large whole-wheat tortillas 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese

Steps 1. Combine the meat or shrimp, jalapeno, cilantro, lime, garlic, and tomato. Marinate for 15 minutes. 2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. 3. When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook until onion looks clear. 4. Add shrimp mixture to pan. 5. Sauté until cooked through, about 5 minutes depending on protien. 6. Salt and pepper to taste, removing from the heat. 7. Coat a separate nonstick pan with cooking spray or butter and heat over medium-low heat. 8. Place one tortilla in the bottom of skillet, and layer as follows: half of the cheese, shrimp mixture and a second tortilla. 9. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the bottom is brown and crisp, then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. 10. Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, and low fat sour cream 11. ENJOY

Optional

Salsa (Hopefully you saved last issues recipes!) Guacamole Low fat sour cream

YOUNG LATINA FILMMAKER

OLIVIA MARTINEZ

TEJANO BACKSTAGE

PROUD OF THE SKIN THEY'RE IN Kelly Trevino

It doesn’t take long when talking with Olivia Martinez that you realize making a difference is what matters to them most. As a young filmmaker, Olivia has already made an impact in the industry. Fresh out of high school, Olivia is excited about starting classes in Radio Television Film with a focus on Film Production at the University of Texas. Summer session is always a busy time, but Tejano Backstage caught up with Olivia to talk about the films that have already been created and the direction of films in general.

Even though the films were stop-motion works made with toys, Olivia grew to love this new medium of film and found the voice that was inside all along, “I just fell in love with creating and telling stories. I loved that I could tell a story through MY eyes and that other people understood me better through my work and my art.

29 TEJANO BACKSTAGE JULY/AUGUST

Olivia quickly knew creating films was the only path forward. Acting at the young age of four years old piqued their interest, but by taking on professional acting roles at the age of 10, Olivia knew that filmmaking would be the future. Anyone that has ever been in the vicinity of a small child knows how difficult it can be to hold their attention, but Olivia was amazed by the entire process, “It was then when I would be on film sets and I was seeing how it worked, I became interested in making films. How everything worked together to create this thing,” Olivia goes on to talk about those first films, “So I started making films myself. I would make little stop-motion Lego films on my iPad. I spent ALL my spare time making Lego short films!”

I found that I could easily communicate what I was feeling and what stories I liked or what interests I gravitated towards through my work,” they explain. Eventually, Olivia graduated from the small iPad to a ‘real’ camera and never stopped filming. “I brought my camera everywhere, even school and I never stopped filming. I mean I filmed EVERYTHING. I still do that now. I love capturing moments in time.” Keeping a record of history and the preservation of memories is important to Olivia, “Even if it’s just in my life, I love getting to look back on what I was feeling, or what I was experiencing at the moment. I think that’s so interesting because that’s not something that I could describe to anyone. I can show it to you. The impact certain moments had on my life can be shown on film. That’s what I love about it,” Olivia says. Hearing the description, cinematography to Olivia plays the role of documenting memories or moments in time. 30

The cultural significance of historians does not go unnoticed throughout our interview. Many of Tejano’s history lessons were told to them by their grandparents, aunts, or uncles. There is not much documentation of our Tejano culture, except those memories left behind, told through the memories of our ancestors. Leaving welldocumented stories and telling those stories from a different perspective to future generations is important to Olivia, “I like looking back at the things. Even small things are important. Like what I was filming, even in middle school. A lot of those moments I don’t remember until I watch it back again,” with a giggle, “It’s a little part of history. My history. It’s important to have a film so we don’t forget. I also want to educate people by putting things into a different perspective. I think that’s important when learning. It’s important to view other perspectives and see them from different eyes.” Documenting every detail is important.

Perhaps it’s the keen attention to detail that has put Olivia’s films on the list of festivals like the Chicago Film Festival where their film, Fruit, was one of the films out of over 500 selected for screening at the CineYouth Festival in June of this year. Using the medium of film, Olivia’s narrative on eating disorders, captivated audiences from a new perspective. Seen from a young person’s eyes, the film tackled the effects of eating disorders using sound and visuals, bringing viewers into the mindset of someone living with this disorder. “I knew the sound was going to be extremely important in conveying my message,” Olivia explains, “When I was going through my relationship with food, I couldn’t stand to eat anything because I couldn’t stand the sound of chewing and at the time, it disgusted me. I felt it was important for other people to experience that uncomfortable feeling while they were watching the movie.”

TEJANO BACKSTAGE MAGAZINE

"We don't have enough female & queer voices in our society. All the films in my top four favorites were made by men. Right now those are the only stories we hear."

www.tejano-backstage.com TEJANO BACKSTAGE | 31

"It’s physically and emotionally impossible." Watching the short film with the sounds of chewing, laughing while eating, and even the moment when the main character becomes overwhelmed. As an onlooker, the viewer feels the pressure building, until the character falls from exhaustion. Every nuance in the film is intentional in making the viewer experience emotions of an eating disorder. Olivia is laser-focused on the message behind that scene. “I made a film last summer called, Aspects of My Gender, and it was kind of misinterpreted. I wanted to talk more about queerness (in the film), but it came out as being held to an expectation that you didn’t think as a person you could meet. So, I tried to talk a little bit about that in this film, Fruit, but through a different lens, like eating disorders. And that is an issue with girls, women, and feminine people in today’s society. A lot of people struggle with having to meet an expectation that they don’t think they can’t meet. And they try so hard to meet this expectation that it’s physically and emotionally impossible.” Olivia continues, 32

“It’s so ugly how toxic masculinity has put that on young girls. When I was as young as 7, I had trouble eating and looking at myself in the mirror. It says a lot about a society that as a child I felt that I needed to be thinner. I counted my calories at the age of 7 years old. It’s so wild to me that we can put that standard on little girls and that’s where a lot of eating disorders come from. Comments from family members, or friends, seeing models in magazines.” When asked about a dream sequence in the film, the explanation is simple, “When she does pass out, in her dream she is being held up by other people. They are holding and pulling at her, tugging at her. Just a constant loop of people pulling on her, and she has no control. I wanted to focus on the fact that she had no control. The only thing she thinks she has control over is the food she puts in her mouth. The people pulling out her is a symbolization of her not having any control over what she looks like or who she is.”

Making an Impact

Olivia’s film, How It Is Now, earned the honor of Official Selection at The AllAmerican Film Festival in New York City, in 2021 and was screened at AMC Theater in Times Square. The film received high praise for its accurate portrayal of how students’ lives had changed during the pandemic and the loneliness and depression caused by online instruction. It’s no wonder Olivia won the Best Female Filmmaker Award at the Austin International Film Festival for the film in 2021. As a painter would brush a canvas, Olivia used the medium of film to evoke emotions for the short film. In the movie, How It Is Now, viewers watch as darkness enfolds the student lying in bed. As another day begins, they open the laptop. Half asleep the stark glare from the screen lights their face. A teacher sounds almost robotic as they speak, almost trancelike. Every nuance is meant to make the viewer feel the emptiness of this new classroom setting. The setting is not meant to make you feel comfortable. Far from it, the setting is a student’s life during a pandemic. Inviting the audience to explore what life is like, learning from home. Viewers are invited to take a peek at the ‘new normal’ students were experiencing and most were left saying, ‘I had no idea.’ That is the reason behind the films of Olivia Martinez. Olivia wants the audience to ask questions, take a deeper dive into why something happens (or not), and look at things from a different perspective.

As for the future, Olivia has dreams of working for A24 Films as a cinematographer, “Because I love that I can tell a story through a video. If I’m not working for A24 I will probably start my own production company. Honestly, I just want to create and make films. I would also like to do is some fashion videography and photography,” they continue, “It’s extremely important to encourage young people to make films and tell their stories. We don’t have enough female and queer voices in our society. Most films are made by men. And if it is a queer story or a female story, chances are it’s told by a man and it’s not authentic. It’s important to have real, authentic representations. If I had seen a queer Latina film about a person like me when I was a small child, I would have learned what I wanted to do a long time ago. I think that having that role model is so important and we desperately need these stories from incredible, talented young people. I want to be that for somebody because I didn’t have that.” I have a feeling young Latinas will have plenty to look up to in the works of Olivia Martinez!

Never Turn Away Clients Due to Staff Shortage Again! OFFERING PROFESSIONAL LIVE REMOTES ACROSS TEXAS GO-PRO staff ensures a sucessful remote EVERY time! We SET UP, provide vehicle, on air talent, marketing materials, contest, games & registration.

CLIENTS INCLUDE

TEJANO GOLD COUNTDOWN

Artist Interviews from the Past

Join TGC for our Summer Series with the best interviews from the past! Emilio Naivara, Laura Canales, Jimmy Gonzales, Bob Gallarza, Little Joe, Eloy Bernal, Isidro Lopez, Tony 'Ham' Guerrero, Steve Jordan, Jennifer Pena, Shelly Lares, Patsy Torres and MANY more!

LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN 36

Known as the steward of Tejano, Rudy Trevino has been at the forefront of not only keeping Tejano alive, but furthering our music and culture for generations to come. Join TGC for this special Summer Series to kick off Rudy's eye opening book about the legends in the Tejano Music Industry. Nothing is held back in this upcoming book, giving you an inside look at what the legends really felt about our industry, and what they felt needed to happen to help it survive, In Their Own Words...

MANNY R. GUERRA

Spring Arbor

ORDER NOW

amenmusic.com

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

TEJANO BACKSTAGE TEST KITCHEN

Let’s face it, the best TexAmex meal can be ruined with a bad salsa. There’s nothing worse than biting into a chip with salsa that is too sweet, too sour or with too little spice. Here we have assembled a few of the favorites of Barbi Leo Salgado from our test kitchen. The best part? They are all super easy to make. ENJOY!

MI COCINA

Creamy Avocado Salsa Ingredients 2 Avocados 1 Cup of Greek Yogurt Juice from 1 lime 1 clove of garlic 1/8 of an onion 1-2 jalapenos depending on the desired level of heat 1/4 bunch of cilantro Salt and pepper to taste 3 tablespoons of water you can add more if you want a thinner consistency Instructions Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

MI COCINA

Fresh Pineapple Habanero Pico de Gallo 2 Plump tomatoes 1 Habanero (seeds removed) ½ cup finely chopped onion ⅓ cup chopped cilantro 1 cup diced pineapple ½ Tablespoon lime-juice Cilantro to taste Salt to taste Chop all ingredients and combine. That’s it! The secret here is using fresh pineapple and letting it sitin the fridge overnight to give all the flavors a chance to combine

Salsa Verde Cruda INGREDIENTS 1/2 pound tomatillos (5 or 6), husked, rinsed, and coarsely chopped 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro 2 fresh jalapeño or serrano chiles, coarsely chopped (including seeds), or more to taste by 1 large garlic clove, peeled 2 tablespoons chopped white onion 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt PREPARATION 1. Put the tomatillos in a blender first, then add the remaining ingredients. Pulse a few times, then blend until the salsa is very smooth, at least 1 minute. Season to taste with additional chile and salt, and blend again.

Roasted Pepper Salsa

Ingredients 4 plum tomatoes (1 pound), cut in half, lengthwise 2 serrano chiles, stems removed 4 cloves garlic, peeled 1/4 small yellow onion, peeled 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 fresh lime Instructions 1. Turn your boiler to highest setting 2. Lightly spray a cast iron skillet. Place the tomatoes, chiles, garlic, and onion inside the skillet, and place under the broiler. Cook until garlic is roasted 6-10 min. Remove garlic and place into a blender 3. Return the remainkng ingredients to the oven and continue to cook until charred (blackened) 10-15 min. Remove ingredients from skillet and place into blender with garlic 4. Pour 1 cup of water into the skillet to remove roasted bits. Pour the water into the blender 5. Add fresh lime juice, cilantro and salt to taste

BUILDING TRUST IN OUR COMMUNITY

HOME REPAIRS SHEETROCK PAINTING CUSTOM DESIGN

CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 361-720-1601

HOWARD ONG

PLAY UP YOUR COOKING SPACE.

Home Interior Designer

WHY KITCHEN BACKSPLASH?

AARON LOEB Photography

CHIAKI SATO Styling

Wish for something stylish for your cooking interior, the kitchen backsplash is one of those noticeable and also budget-friendly ways to choose. Decorative kitchen backsplash ideas? Why not? You can go for stone tiles in various color splashes, sheens, and shapes to get a kind of century-old touch. Warm, timeless Tuscan or Mediterranean colors offer reclaimed beauty.

DECORATIVE KITCHEN BACKSPLASH STYLES Combining any kitchen backsplash idea ultimately accentuates your kitchen furniture while creating a certain look or even effect. To start, you can browse for unlimited creative and decorative backsplash ideas to apply to your own cooking space interior. You can pursue beautiful surfaces by intensifying your kitchen walls with varied textures, colors, and patterns. You may choose among backsplash ideas, like tile, glass, stone, marble, ceramic, and many more.

If you are a fan of neutral effects, try stone pebble ideas.

Make it another contemporary look by applying marble backsplashes. Pair them with wooden kitchen cabinets in a solid color or stainless steel hood. They make your cooking space modern instantly.

The Essentials of Record Promotions This year, I am celebrating my 40th year in the radio and music industry. I have not only witnessed the evolution of radio, but I have also witnessed the evolution of the music industry from the days of getting singles on vinyl via snail mail to today’s mp3 files which fill my email account.Even though many things have changed in the record promotion business, the basics still apply to the art of promoting music.

Communication is KEY! the EXCHANGE of information or news. That is NOT happening in the Tejano music industry today and is perhaps the biggest reason why artists are not getting the airplay they deserve. Emails with attached MP3’s are being sent with no follow up. Promotion requires a phone call and or a visit to verify that the programmer received the music. A great promoter will also get the programmer’s opinion of the track and ultimately make a case for why the song should be played on the airwaves.

Bo Leo Gonzalez VP Spanish Formats

Brand Manager – KMVK Dallas JULY-AUGUST ISSUE WWW.TEJANO-BACKSTAGE.COM

Let’s start with the definition of communication:

Establishing relationships with programmers is also essential to effective record promotions. Relationships equal influence, and influence equals air play.

JULY-AUGUST ISSUE WWW.TEJANO-BACKSTAGE.COM

In my 40 years of radio, I have had great lifelong relationships with record promoters from the biggest record labels in the world all the way down. I have often heard, programmers aren’t making the time or won’t return my calls.Therein lies the challenge. The best record promoters find a way to break down the barriers and create relationships beyond the records. I get hundreds of emails with new music in my inbox and finding the hits is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most songs won’t make it on the air for one reason or another, but the real tragedy is overlooking true hits that never get the exposure they deserve due to lack of basic promotion.

N O L L O R E

C H I N G O N

"This is my story.. My life.. The legacy I will leave behind.. Si se puede"

AN AMERICAN STORY

The Life of Little Joe Written by International Award-Winning Author, Emma Gonzalez

AWARDS Most Inspirational Non-Fiction English Book Best Cover Photo Book to Movies Awards-1st Place Documentary Best Biography Finalist Best Family History English Book

BUY NOW

www.shoplittlejoe.com

EL GRITILLO

Little Joe Hernandez

BY KELLY TREVINO From the moment our conversation begins, Joe Hernandez, also known as Little Joe, is on fire. The morning we spoke, Joe had been working on helping with a local election. “I’ve been very busy, not just performing, but every cycle for elections I say I’m staying out of it, but I get these calls from people that are running for different posts. Before I know it, I’m right in the mix of things!” Anyone who knows Joe understands his passion for getting involved. To Joe, this is as vital to his existence as the water he drinks to stay alive. “We have to become more aware as a people, to what is happening. I remember seventy-five years ago. I’ll be 82 in October, and I grew up in Temple. I remember all the discrimination and racism. At the time I knew what was happening, but I didn’t understand it, you know? I didn’t understand why I had to sit on the floor of the theater and my black friends had to sit in the balcony. All those kinds of things that happened to me as a kid. As time went on, I became more aware.” Joe remembers, “My mom, God rest her soul, she didn’t speak English.

She understood it though! She was always involved and very interested in politics. She couldn’t vote because she never got her citizenship squared away. But she watched all the elections, so I became aware early on about the importance of those elections!” He goes on to talk about the discrimination that continues today, “A lot of people don’t understand what discrimination is. Many people think it must be blatant to be descrimination. They think it’s the ‘I don’t like you,’ kind of discrimination. 51

JOSE DE

“LITTLE LEON

But that’s not the only way to discriminate. It’s the funding of communities. It’s taking away that safety net. People need to start asking- Who’s in charge, where do the funds go? That’s where the discrimination is. The neighborhoods and communities that need support while funds are taken away from them. Someone not making the same amount of money as a co-worker doing the same job. That’s discrimination.” His mother’s passions were definitely passed on to her son. Joe has been involved in elections in one form or another since the 1960s when he was in his 20s, offering support through videos, public speaking, and of course- performing when he can. Reading Little Joe’s book- An American Story, you can see why it’s so important that he speak out for the country he is so proud to be a part of. In the book, Joe recalls the story of his grandfather, Salvador Hernandez. The year was 1910 and Salvador noticed the sky was glowing brighter than usual. Little did he realize the glow came from the campfires of guerrillas camping among the hills or that the men sitting around those fires were preparing to attack the peaceful village of El Cerrito in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The Mexican Revolution was at their doorstep.

TEJANO BACKSTAGE| 52

JOE”

MARIA

HERNANDEZ

Artist of the Month

July/August 2022

An excerpt from the book reads- As it would turn out the revolution of 1910 would rally the peasants and workers to fight and win battles against foreign economic domination, exploitation, political tyranny, and social injustice throughout Mexico. Jim Hernandez Joe's older brother added to the story, “Father remembered hearing a galloping horse as it got closer to the Hacienda. He was already awake, so he looked out the window and saw a rider get off the horse behind grandpa’s house. He heard him banging on the door and with a loud voice said, “Compadre! Compadre Adrian, Compadre Luisa, levanta la familia, vamanos, vamanos! Los guerrillistas y veinen muy cercas, viene la lumber destruyendo todo, llevandos tiendas, bancos, vienen barriendo con todo. A las muchachas se las llevan, y a los muchachos los hacen que se hagan soldados o los cuelgan.” Translation: Friend Adrian, friend Luisa, get your family up. Let's go! Let's go! The guerrillas are close by! They are burning everything in their path, including stores and banks. They are taking young girls and if the young men don't join their army they are hung! Their once tranquil life would soon become a living nightmare for the Hernandez family, and most would soon leave their small village. Joe's grandfather Adrian Hernandez, and his uncle Manuel made the decision to escape immediately, leaving their brother Porfirio behind, as he wished. Joe's grandfather Salvador and grandmother Luisa, fled with their children Salvador, Refugia, Luz, and Juanita. 53

The Hernandez Brothers "My dad (Salvador) was only eight years old,” Joe recalls, adding, “It was a wellto-do family, prosperous. They owned livestock and harvested crops, and the families worked in unity to preserve their livelihood. They were also cultured in music. My uncle Manuel played the violin and brought it with him. I can still hear him playing the violin from his sheet of music. I have his violin displayed in my museum in Temple, Texas. I think it's over 150 years old,” he adds smiling with pride. As he recalls the memory, you can understand why it is so important for Little Joe to continue the traditions of his ancestors. Whether that be fighting for what’s right, working hard, or simply bringing joy through his music, Joe does everything with a passion and energy that is unmatched! It's no wonder that Little Joe’s story of his birth is both humble and exciting, as he says, On October 17, 1940, a storm struck the three-wall Hernandez hovel. As heavy rain poured into the small space with a dirt floor, only two lamps lit the darkness. Joe’s mother, Amelia (De Leon), lay on the bed, comforted by comadre, Josephina Hernandez. With winds howling through the room, Josephina, stood by Amelia’s side as the water swirled around her ankles. As the storm raged, a cry was heard above the thunder. Jose Maria De Leon Hernandez made his entrance into this world. “The water kept rising and papers, wooden toys, and what have you, were floating around,” Jim, Joe’s brother recalls in his book, “The storm kept on. Then someone got us out of the garage and took us next door to the neighbor’s house."

www.tejoano-backstage.com

JOE HERNANDEZ

A FORCE OF NATURE "Later, mom was brought from the garage. She was all wrapped up in blankets and so was the baby. Then I heard ‘el grito,’ Little Joe. It all fit so well because, to me, ‘el grito’ wasn’t a baby’s cry. He was just naturally going along with the storm, nature’s sound, and he came into this world with a (gritillo) little shout!” Amelia went on to tell them, “This is your little hermano, Jose.” The seventh of thirteen children, Joe’s mother, was a trained pianist, and his father Salvador, was known as “La Cotorra,” or the parakeet was known as a troubadour. *Little Joe y La Familia, Reunion 95 album pays homage to his father and the colorful life he led with the song, Corrido La Cotorra. Inspired by Beto Villa, it was no mistake that Beto was an inspiration to Joe, who has a deep love for jazz music. Beto Villa’s innovation to the Tejano music genre was everything Joe was looking for. At the time, Beto was innovative in his blending of the soul-wrenching ranchera or conjunto songs that could weave a story, telling the history of the people, while including the orchestra sound that many Tejanos were starting to listen to. . Beto called the style Orquesta, offering Tejanos a style with lyrics that told of their history with the big band sound of trumpets and saxophones. The Orquesta Tejano style Beto Villa created was at the time considered a higher-class version of the conjunto style, played mostly with accordion, that Tejano fans had grown up with. The style seemed to be a perfect fit for young Joe and he was soon recruited by his cousin David Coronado, to play for a band called the Latinaires, when he was 13 years old, making his recording debut as a guitarist for Terrero Records in Corpus Christ in 1958. David Coronado left the band in 1959, leaving Little Joe to take the lead.

Artist of the Month

The band’s popularity grew and eventually would be known as Little Joe and the Latinaires. It wouldn’t be long before Little Joe was known as the “man of the brown sound.” A man of the people that sang the songs of their cultura, while infusing the big band sound that would lead them into the future. When asked about projects coming up, Joe quickly knows what’s on his calendar, “Tomorrow I’m off to see the wizard again,” referring to his Annual Mother’s Day event at Harrod’s Casino, in Laughlin, Texas. An event that was put on hold during the pandemic. “When Covid hit, we had to postpone the event, and I was surprised when so many people didn’t turn their tickets in for a refund. They kept them for over two years. That humbled me so much.” He goes on to recall, “And then, when we finally do get back to Laughlin, those tickets that were refunded, I found out that they were from ticket buyers that had lost their lives to Covid.” Joe hangs his head at the recollection, “That was just so sad to me. You know? Sometimes I start the show, and I talk about my experience with having Covid, and I offer my condolences to families and friends that lost loved ones.” You can see the pain as he talks about the empty seats. The empty spaces left by fans that died from Covid. For Joe, it’s very personal. 56

JULY/AUGUST 2022

Having contracted Covid, before the vaccine was available. It’s clear Joe still feels guilty that he was the first family member to contract the virus, followed by his daughter (whom he calls his boss), his niece, and eventually his wife. “I followed all of the rules,” he says, “I did everything by the guidelines, and I still got it. It was a bad time.

PAGE 57

LITTLE JOE

One day the ambulance had to come to my

INTERVIEW

her. That I may have to go the rest of my life

There were ‘ m i n o r ’ h i c c u p salong

without my wife… I couldn’t even go to the

the way, including a blown tire, an airplane engine

hospital…” Joe goes on to say he fell into an abyss

that was leaking oil, gate changes, and carrying

on that day. “For quite a while, I just couldn’t get

luggage to find a lost bus. With his good humor,

out of this funk. You know, we’ve been through a

Joe laughs at the adventure, “But all the shows

lot of things, but this was REALITY, happening all

were so wonderful, they were so energized, that I

around me! People checking into hospitals and

didn’t feel any of the bad stuff. It was actually fun

dying, loved ones can’t visit or even say goodbye.

and challenging. And I love a challenge! The last

I told myself, this can’t happen!”

show had over 5,000 people and is one of my

The experience left a mark on Joe. A mark that

favorite kinds of shows which is a family-based,

he helps to heal in the only way he can- by

festival. Some of the people there have been

sharing his story with others, “I share my story

following me for over half a century, so they are

with the people because there are still people

fans and friends. People I’ve known all these years.

out there that don’t care about themselves, their

And they had their children and grandchildren,

bodies. But it’s not only about them, it’s also

and even great-grandchildren! And all these little

about the people around them. Their children,

boys and girls came up to the front of the stage and

their parents, their friends. And I know that from

I was amazed they were singing the songs!” It’s in

my own experience. If I had gotten Covid, as in

these moments, that Joe’s spirit shines through.

only me, then that would be only my problem.

And one of the reasons he is one of the most loved

But it wasn’t only me, I shared it. With the ones I

and respected artists in the Tejano music industry.

love the most.” It’s no wonder Joe asks friends,

Closing out our interview, Joe tells the story of the

family, and audiences if they are vaccinated.

beads he wears around his neck, “These beads were

Always the protector, Joe is doing what he does,

made by a Native American shaman. I’ve been

making sure everyone is okay. And Joe? He says

wearing them for about four or five years. This

he is taking it slow, but he isn’t slowing down!

shaman told me he was going to make me some

During our conversation, Joe shares his most

special beads and he got them to me about a year

recent adventure, his ‘Whirlwind Tour,’ as he calls

later. He came up to me at a show to give them to

it. A tour “We bussed to Ruidoso, New Mexico,

me. He said, Joe, these beads will ward off bad

and played there. After Ruidoso, we went to

spirits. I thought how wonderful!” Joe reminds me

Payson, Arizona, which is North of Phoenix, and

of the stories from the last tour, from the blown

played there on Friday. We only had a couple of

tire, running behind, and engine problems with the

hours rest before we were off to Phoenix and

plane. He laughs, “On the way home, as we were

flew to Kansas City and played a show there on

leaving that last show in Las Cruces, the bus diver

Saturday. Got a few hours of sleep and started

hits something, and BAM!” Quietly joe grabs the

again at 3 o’clock in the morning. From there we

beads around his neck and says, “I have to see him

flew to El Paso and took a bus to Las Cruces to do

and tell him they didn’t work-

an early show!”

I’m STILL here!”

house to pick up my wife. It was such a sad day... I realized that could be the last time I would see

Little Joe has been nominated for eleven GRAMMY Awards and received five GRAMMY Awards. His first GRAMMY (1991) for Best Mexican-American album, “Diez y Seis de Septiembre,” followed by another GRAMMY for Best Tejano Album (2005) for “Chicanisimo,” (2007) “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” and (2010) for “Recuerdos.” “Recuerdos” also received a Latin GRAMMY Award for Best Tejano Album (2011.) Little Joe y La Familia received additional GRAMMY Award nominations in 1988 for “Timeless,” in 1993 for “Que Paso,” in 1999 for “Little Joe & La Familia 2000,” and in 2003 for “Celebration of Life, Volume I.” The band's Latin GRAMMY Award nominations include “Celebration of Life, Volume II" (2004), and “Chicanisimo” (2005.) A member of the Texas Tejano Hall of Fame, Joe continues to entertain and use his voice for the people on stage and off. With almost 70 years of singing and as many albums to his credit, Joe continues to bring his special style to the Tejano culture across Texas and beyond. Joe holds nothing back when he tells me he still remembers every time he’s been on stage and yes, he still gets nervous. “I remember some shows I would throw up. Just really, scared and nervous! I was a shy kid, and I still am, but necessity was my driving force. When I got paid that five bucks, that helped with the nerves! And later on, Willie (Nelson) helped me a lot. One day we were sitting around, doing what Willie and I do," Joe laughs, "And told him the story of when I started, and how shy I was that I would get sick. He said, 'Look, you're doing the best you can, and to hell with the rest- It really doesn't matter!' So from that point, I decided to fake it 'til I make it, and I'm still trying to make it!" 58

UP TO

Merchandise

new designs

15% OFF CONVENIENT APPAREL, DRINKWARE, APR0NS & MORE

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.TEJANO-BACKSTAGE.COM

We have a large selection on fun & fresh designs! Show off your love of Tejano at your next concert or event!

OPINION

TEJANO BACKSTAGE

THERE IS ROOM AT THE TABLE FOR EVERYONE

It seems like everyday there is a new chart, award show or countdown on the music scene. Because there are so many, it can be difficult to decide which one's have the credibility or not, especially for such a small musical genre. I hope to shed some light on why we need to support the one's that are doing it right and start putting fire to the feet of those that do not. Hear me out, I'm not talking about a chart or awards show that is transparent in how they select nominations for an award or countdown. I'm talking about how we have to stop promoting organizations or individuals that do not have standards on how things are done. Take for example, Rudy Trevino's Tejano Gold Countdown Top 20. This is the premiere countdown in the industry for good reason. TGC was created with the help of Disney Radio, at the height of Tejano music's popularity. Disney approached Mr.Trevino, with an idea to create a nationally syndicated radio program for Tejano, which had never been done before. This was not done lightly. Together, Rudy and Disney Radio executives created a program worthy of praise from American Top 40's Casey Kasem, who congratulated Rudy on his success. The standard was set in 1995 and continues to this day.

BY CAITLIN RUIZ Booking Agent

Has Tejano Gold Countdown, become the standard in the Tejano music industry? Yes, it has, but that's not to say there is not room at the table for other countdowns. Although the making of the chart is comepletly different, using votes from fans to make the list, charts like Mas Chingon, are using their platform to promote artists that otherwise would not be heard. Given the enormity of the overall latin music industry and the small portion that Tejano shares, promoting new music and artists is only a benefit to our industry. If it is done correctly. That said, we have to start holding charts, awards and countdown's accountable for the quality of music and artists they promote. If an organization is not transparent on the results, promotes inferior material, or is inconsistent, then we need to ask why we are promoting them and sharing them on social media. Bottom line, countdowns and awards are beneficial to promoting our music. But we have to stop bickering about which one is best. Most are very good for what they do. TGC highlights the best music in the industy. The list is difficult to make because it is made up from data collected from reporting stations & metrics in the industry. Making the Mas Chingon list helps new artist material get played by having listeners vote on what they like best and making the list can help artist eventually make the TGC Top 20. Both lists use superior graphics, are transparent and have a primary goal of getting more air-play & bookings for Tejano artists. One is not better than the other, they just sit at different seats. There is room at the table, but those wanting a seat, need to make sure they have the credability to sit with them.

LET US HELP YOU

y for d a e R t e G

r e m m Su Customized Pools

Residential & Commercial Pools Repairs, Renovations & Replastering

Services include pool management, year-round or seasonal service, chemical service, acid washing, water testing, inspections, and installation/removal of heaters, pumps, & pool cleaner repair

L A C I P O R

T POOLS & SPAS CALL 361-854-1000

CREATE THE PERFECT POOL OASIS

Tropical Pools & Spas is dedicated to serving our customers with excellent personalized service

TEJANO

BACKSTAGE MUSIC & ART INDUSTRY PUBLICATION

NEXT ISSUE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER