Tejano music back on TV!

Today, “Tejano y Mas” will air at 11 a.m. on KSAT-12 (San Antonio’s ABC affiliate) and will feature interviews and segments with Tejano and Latino artists. This marks the return of a Tejano TV show to a major, English-language television station after about 10 years, I believe, when “Tejano Country” went off the air.

The show’s host is Gabriel Zavala, Tejano music producer, composer and arranger, who is also married to Tejano entertainer Stefani Montiel. Stefani will appear occasionally as a guest host.

Watch the interview below with Stefani and Gabriel that was recorded during Wednesday’s Tejano Academy Fan Fair. Gabriel described the show as a chance for some of the better known and established Tejano artists to expose their music to a wider audience. He said the success of the first six shows will determine whether the show will expand into other markets.

The “y Mas” part of the show’s title represents the artists whose music is not strictly Tejano but who have Tejano roots and as Gabriel said, “are part of the Tejano musical culture.” Emilio Navaira’s sons Emilio III and Diego, are an example as they play rock music but have a heavy Tejano influence from their father. They will appear on today’s show with their band, VonArmy.

“Tejano y Mas” will air at 11 a.m. on KSAT-12 on Saturdays with an encore performance at 10:35 p.m.