Monthly Archives: August 2008

Tejano artist sightings abounded this weekend at the Hyatt Regency Dallas as live Tejano music blared throughout the hotel and fans took over during the Tejano Music National Convention.

Tejano Beat will be posting interviews with the host of the event, Cheech Marin; Elida Reyna, (pictured above) who launched her new cosmetics line at the expo, performed and sponsored a fashion show; and Joe Posada, who taught us a lesson in the history of the saxophone in Tejano music.

For now, check out these tidbits that we gathered during our exciting weekend in Dallas, Texas, with Tejano fans from around the country.

• “Weirdest Mix of Convention Groups:” The Hyatt Regency Dallas was host not only to Tejano fans this weekend but to a group of bulky, heavily tanned and intimidating male and female bodybuilders who strutted through the hotel in skintight skimpy clothing that accentuated their ripped bods. The scene of cowboy hat and boot-wearing Tejano fans mixing with these muscle men and women was surreal to say the least.
• “The Best Show that Tejano Fans Didn’t See in Dallas:”  Multi-talented saxophonist and vocalist Joe Posada sitting in for an impromptu performance at downtown Dallas hotspot Brooklyn, a club that specializes in jazz.  Posada performed wirelessly to the delight of the female fans who tipped him generously (or so we heard).
• “The Tallest Woman in Tejano:” How vocalist Leslie Lugo (pictured at right) was described as she sashayed down the runway during the Wrangler Celebrity Fashion Show presented by Elida Cosmetics.
• “The Hardest-Working Woman in Tejano:” Speaking of Elida, she has to be the busiest performer in the industry right now as she launched her cosmetics line on Friday, performed during Saturday’s mega dance and announced that she will record her first-ever live CD/DVD on Aug. 24.  This is in addition to releasing her latest CD, “Domingo,” earlier this year, which is the first on her new label, Freddie Records. Elida must be exhausted but she makes it look effortless.
• “Funniest Interview:” Of course, it’s Cheech Marin!  When asked about the one thing about him that people would be surprised to know, he replied: “That I’m really Iranian, but don’t say anything because this Chicano thing is really working out for me!”

 More reports, photos and videos coming from the TMNC!

As promised, here is a video interview from the Tejano National Convention in Dallas, Texas.  Jay Perez pulled off an amazing performance with special guests including Shelly Lares, Jorge Santana (brother of Carlos!), and Malo.  Jay singing “Suavecito” and “You’re Still a Young Man” with Malo was a highlight and the crowd went crazy.  

According to his managers, Jay was feeling a little under the weather with allergies but you couldn’t tell from the sound of his voice and with the pumped up performance he put on for the thousands of Tejano fans who came from around the country.

Jay went straight to his room following the performance to rest for his Saturday night show in Robstown but JR Gomez, vocalist, and JZ Martinez, accordionist, spoke with Tejano Beat.  Mark Grado, Jay’s personal and business manager, spoke with TB as well.

Enjoy and stay tuned for more photos, interviews and music!

We will be posting video segments throughout the weekend as we talk with the artists and the fans here at the Tejano National Convention in Dallas, Texas! 

Click on the icon on the right to visit the official Tejano National Convention site where you can find a schedule of events and more information.

Send us comments here or on our MySpace at www.myspace.com/tejanobeatblog and let us know what you think of our coverage.

– TB

As the Labor Day weekend nears along with the diez y seis de septiembre holiday, lots of Tejano concert activity will be coming to town.  One of the biggest already announced is the Fiestas Patrias celebration sponsored by KXTN, which is a free show on Sunday, Sept. 7 in the Alamodome that will bring three heavyweights: La Mafia, Bobby Pulido and Little Joe y La Familia to San Antonio. 

Haven’t heard from Bobby Pulido in a while and it will be nice to see La Mafia who will likely perform songs from their Aug. 12 release, Eternamente Romanticos, which is getting a lot of attention by the blogs right now for its liberal borrowing of the creative look of a Maroon 5 CD. Check out the Maroon 5 CD that obviously inspired La Mafia.

Get your tickets at area HEB locations for the concert that is sponsored by Univision Radio, KXTN Tejano 107.5, and Bud Light. Looks like an early concert that begins at noon and ends at 6 p.m.

Other musical acts will include Los Traileros del Norte and Reik.

Check the KXTN Web site and the Univision site for additional details.

Kumbia All Starz vs. La Mafia