Little Joe Coming To Kansas City June 14

Courtesy of the KC Tejano Newsletter

Little Joe is set to return to Kansas City on June 14th, 2008 outside the Tony Aguirre Community Center 2050 West Pennway in KCMO from 6 pm to 10 pm. Bring your lawnchairs! Las Estrellas will be opening up.

After severe weather caused the postponement of the Grammy award-winning headliner, many fans left Crown Center unfulfilled and disappointed. Now fans have a second chance to catch the King of the Brown Sound. And, hopefully, the weather will be nicer and provide a more comfortable setting so Little Joe fans can come out and enjoy the music.

2 Sue Tejano Star Emilio Over Houston Crash

By Mike Tolson (c) 2008 Houston Chronicle www.chron.com

A band member and a passenger on the bus that crashed with Emilio Navaira at the wheel have sued the Tejano singing star in state court because of the injuries they suffered.

Daniel Sandoval, drummer with the Grupo Rio band, and Pedro Perez, a relative of another band member, are asking for unspecified damages from Emilio Inc., the singer's corporate alter ego. The suit, which does not name Navaira individually, was filed last week in Houston and assigned to the district court of Judge Caroline E. Baker.

Two days after the March 23 crash, in which Navaira suffered a life-threatening brain injury, members of his band voiced nothing but support as he lay in a coma in a Houston hospital.

At that time, Sandoval, at home recovering from head and back injuries of his own, said he recalled little of the crash on West Loop 610. At about 5 a.m., Navaira lost control of the tour bus and crashed into traffic barrels. Navaira flew through the windshield and the bus flipped on its side.

"I don't know what happened," Sandoval said at the time. "I don't know if Emilio fell asleep, but he is in my prayers. I don't blame him for nothing."

Damages sought

The sentiment changed with the lawsuit last week. The suit asks for unspecified damages for what it alleges are "serious, permanent and disabling injuries."

Navaira, 45, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.19 — more than twice the legal limit — while driving the tour bus, according to a report made public by the Bellaire Police Department.

He could face charges of DWI or felony intoxication assault for injuring five bus passengers. He also did not have the type of license required to legally drive the vehicle.

"Defendant was intoxicated well beyond the legal limit to operate a vehicle, was not licensed or properly trained, and was not properly rested to drive that night," the lawsuit states.

Navaira and his band had performed at a Houston club hours before the crash and were returning to San Antonio when the accident occurred. At the time it was reported that only Navaira was hurt seriously in the accident.

He spent a month at Memorial Hermann Hospital and was later transferred to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, where he is recovering from a significant brain injury.

The attorney for Sandoval and Perez, David L. Jones of Corpus Christi, did not return phone calls from the Houston Chronicle. Navaira's attorney could not be reached for comment.

Sandoval said in a March interview that he was awake and standing next to one of the bunks in the bus when the accident happened.

"I don't remember anything. I blacked out," Sandoval said. "When I woke up, I was trapped under the front floor. I was losing so much blood from my head I thought I was going to die."

Sandoval said he ended up with stitches to close cuts on his head and back.

"I am doing OK," he said. "What is hurting is my back. It was really bruised."

Pedro Perez was traveling on the bus with his grandson, bajo sexto player Eddie Perez. In a March 25 article in the San Antonio Express-News, the younger Perez said his grandfather was not hurt.

Navaira has twice been arrested for driving while intoxicated.

After the second arrest, he signed an affidavit saying he did not own an automobile.

That spared him from having to equip his vehicle with an ignition interlock, an alcohol-detection device into which a person must breathe before starting his car, and a standard condition of bond when facing a second DWI charge.

Azteca De Greater KC Sponsors Art Show

la Esquina / 1000 W 25th
Fri, June 6, 6 - 9p
Exhibition runs June 6 - July 19, 2008
Hours: Thurs + Sat, 12 - 5p
Free and open to the public; Bring your own chairs

Curated by Jenny Mendez, President of the Azteca De Greater Kansas City Guild of Latino Fine Arts and Director of Mattie Rhodes Art Center, Comunidad/Community is a group exhibition that focuses on the meaning and power of community as interpreted by the participating artists. Artists include Jessica Manco, Adolfo Martinez, Israel Garcia, Shane Evans, Dan Dakotas, Sonie Ruffin, Maria Boyd, Jacob Weller, Sue Moreno, Vanessa Ayala, Dominic Murillo, and many others.

The exhibition opens First Friday June 6, 6-9pm, in conjunction with a family-friendly Westside Block Party co-hosted by Urban Culture Project, Azteca de Greater Kansas City, and C&G Construction. The party will include outdoor entertainment spanning live music, dance, performance, and poetry; an exhibition of low rider cars from Lona and Sons; and an array of delicious food. Free and open to all.

The mission of Azteca de Greater Kansas City is to share the multi-Latino cultures and traditions through the arts, cultural events, exhibitions and activities. A non-profit organization formed in 1991, Azteca is committed to furthering the advancements of Latino arts and artists throughout the Greater Kansas City area. For more information visit www.aztecadegkc.org

KKFI Latino Programming To Be Featured In Ñ Magazine

Kansas City based, Ñ Magazine will feature a story on KKFI's Latino programming and it's mission to serve the growing Latino population of Kansas City. The magazine will hit news stands on Friday, March 28. Ñ Magazine staff has made a great effort to meet with the staff of each of KKFI's 4 Latino Music shows to take photographs and get the on-air personality's insight on their contribution to the listening public. KKFI currently offers 10 hours of Latino programming which ranges from Tejano Music on Monday and Tuedays, Rock En Espanol on Wednesdays, and Regional Mexican on Thursdays during the 7:30 to 10pm time slot. Fiesta Musical DJ's Dan The Man, Dj Ritmo and Tomas Pacheco, were honored to be a part of the feature. Tomas adds "We are the new guys on the block...we are often overlooked and we are thankful that Ñ chose to focus on what each individual show brings to the table. We all are a valuable part of the KKFI family and each present a little different product, although we may all share portions of the same audience." KKFI can be heard in the Kansas City area on 90.1FM or online at www.kkfi.org
Ñ Magazine is available free of charge at many local establishments. The article will also eventually be available on their official website, www.enyemagazine.com

Tejano Star Emilio Navaira in Critical Condition After Bus Crash

From the Houston Chronical Newpaper writer Mike Glenn www.chron.com

Tejano music king Emilio Navaira remained in critical condition in a Houston hospital late Sunday, fighting for his life after his tour bus slammed into traffic barrels on the northbound 610 Loop just before the Southwest Freeway exit.

The Grammy-winning performer, who friends and officials say was driving the bus, suffered life-threatening head injuries when he was thrown through the front windshield at 5 a.m. Sunday morning.

"For some reason, the driver lost control and hit the barrels," said Bellaire police Sgt. Daniel Kerr. "We don't know why yet."

Police aren't sure how fast the bus was travelling when it struck the freeway barrels — crushing the vehicle's front end and scattering debris, including concert posters, along the road. Part of the West Loop was closed for several hours while police investigated and cleared the wreckage.

Authorities transported Navaira, 45, to Memorial Hermann Hospital about 6:30 a.m. He was among eight people injured in the accident, including a passenger who was listed in critical condition, police said.

A blood test would be administered to the driver, but Kerr said there was no evidence at the scene indicating that alcohol was a factor.

The driver "may have gone to sleep," Kerr said.

Known simply as Emilio to his fans, Navaira and his band Rio performed Saturday night at Hallabaloo's in southeast Houston. He was scheduled to perform Friday at the San Jose Scottish Rite Center in California.

Concerned family members, friends and fans touted Navaira's critical role in increasing the popularity of Tejano music. They also recounted Navaira's generosity, including his work to raise about $1 million for a children's foundation since 1990.

"He would give the shirt off his back to help anybody," said Ben Arredondo, Navaira's former uncle.

Manuel Ponce, who drove to the scene after hearing reports of the accident, said he can't remember a time when he wasn't a fan of Navaira and his brand of music.

"He makes you have a good time. He makes you feel really comfortable," said Ponce, who last saw Navaira about a month ago. "We hope and pray that they're all right."

The San Antonio native has released a dozen albums in his career. He won a Grammy in 2003 for his album Acuerdate and was honored numerous times over the years by the Tejano Music Awards.

"It's sad — I just heard," said fan Jesus Gonzalez, who added that he considered Navaira a role model for Hispanics.

According to the band's Web site, Navaira was a self-taught musician who learned on a guitar that his father purchased at a pawn shop. He later majored in music at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, now called Texas State University.

His career gained prominence performing with other popular singers like Selena, who was shot and killed in 1995.

"He's one of the guys that's been able to blend Tejano and country successfully," said San Antonio-Express News music critic and author Ramiro Burr. "They were the King and Queen of Tejano — undisputed."

Navaira enjoyed cross-over success in the 1990s with a couple of chart-landing country music albums.

"It's the equivalent of coming up from the minor leagues to the major leagues," Burr said.

In the late 1990s, Navaira began to focus back on his core audience — the Tejano fans who made him a star.

"He's remained very successful. He's constantly touring," Burr said.

Grammy-winning, Houston-based Tejano band Avizo has performed with Navaira on several occasions. Band leader and trumpet player Robert Dorantes compared Navaira's legacy to that of Selena.

Navaira "helped shape Tejano music into what it is today," Dorantes said. "Since his days (singing) with David Lee Garza, Emilio has been an icon to Tejanos everywhere.

"We hope and pray Emilio comes out of this OK, and this should be a wake-up call to all musicians on the road," he said. "This could have happened to any one of us."

Chronicle staff writers Joey Guerra, Rosanna Ruiz and Anita Hassan contributed to this report.

mike.glenn@chron.com
Fiesta Musical Note:
Our listeners may remember that Emilio helped to bring in 2008 in Topeka,KS when he performed as part of a charity dance to raise money for a local community center. Previously he participated in the KC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Fiesta In The Heartland and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Fiesta Mexicana in Topeka.

Fiesta Musical Featured on ITEJANO.COM

KKFI's Fiesta Musical Show was recently featured on the new online Tejano community, www.itejano.com The site features some of the latest news and gossip about the Tejano industry. Fans and industry professionals are able to congregate in one area to discuss issues and interact through online postings and the chat room that is offered on the site. The first two installments of this series of articles are currently available on the site. Be sure to check it out.

The first article showcases the origins of Fiesta Musical and it's mission to carry on the tradition of Tejano music in Kansas City.
Click HERE to view article.

The second article showcases on-air personality Tomas Pacheco, his background, and how he fell into radio.
Click HERE to read the story.

2008 Tejano Music Award Winners

28th Tejano Music Awards Winners

Song of the Year
Elida's Medley - Elida Reyna

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jay Perez

Female Vocalist of the Year
Elida Reyna

Entertainer of the Year
Jay Perez

Album of the Year - Tejano
35th Anniversary - Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution

Album of the Year - Conjunto
Chuco's - Los Garcia Brothers

Crossover Song of the Year
His House - Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz

Vocal Duo of the Year
Shelly Lares and Sunny Sauceda

Most Promising Band
Tex-Mex Kadillaks

Showband of the Year
Jay Perez

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Joey Lopez - Producer
Arturo Villarreal - Promoter
Freddie Martinez - Record Label

Kansas City Loses Another Local Tejano Musician

Thank you to Steve Reyes and the Kansas City Star for contributing information for this article.
Anthony Carman Ayalla, 45, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He was known to his friends and fans as Tony Ayalla. Tony was a 45 year old musician who had been very active in the local Tejano, R&B and Country music scene. He was best known as a sax player who started out with Brown Lightning, played with Festival in the 80's and later went on to play with Bobby G and The Mustangs in the late 90's into the early 2000's among being involved with other groups along the way. Tomas Pacheco from KKFI's Fiesta Musical Show recalled memories of Tony on his March 3,2008 broadcast stating "...I will never forget Tony. He along with several other local musicians sat in with with Dee Burleson (Y La Franz) formerly of Culturas at my wedding..His vocal skills were unbelievable and will never be forgotten." The Funeral Mass will be 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, at St. Mary/St. Anthony Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kan. Burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at the Skradski Funeral Home, 340 N. Sixth St. with the Rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. The family would appreciate donations in Tony's memory to the church. Arr.: Skradski Funeral Home, Kansas City, KS (913) 371-1404.

Tejano legend Roy "Pia" Ramos passes way over weekend

By Michael Corcoran at Austin360.com
Singer Ruben Ramos, “El Gato Negro,” is the star of popular Austin band Texas Revolution, but bass-playing younger brother Roy Ramos was the musical driving force. Roy “Pia” Ramos had the idea in 1969 to move Ruben from behind the drums to the forefront with Mexican Revolution, which changed its name during the early ‘80s Tejano craze. Roy Ramos passed away Sunday morning after a brief illness. He was 62.

“I’m just so saddened,” said singer Little Joe Hernandez, whose band had played with the Ramos brothers in El Paso two weeks ago. “Besides being a great musician, Pia was such a lovely person. I never once heard him say a bad thing about anyone. He was always the first to praise you.”

Roy Ramos was the youngest of seven siblings who played in older brother Alfonso’s orchestra in the early 1960s. Roy and Ruben Ramos called their next band Mexican Revolution to tie in with the Chicano civil rights movement of the late ‘60s.

“I feel like we lost not just a musical brother, but a true brother,” Hernandez said.

Services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Mission Funeral Home at 1615 East Cesar Chavez St.

2008 Tejano Music Award Nominees Announced

Dear Music Fan and Tejano Music Supporters,

The Top 5 Nominees for the 28th Annual Tejano Music Awards

Winners will be announced on March 6, 2008 at La Villita Assembly Hall
in San Antonio, TX.

For Award Show Ticket information, Go To:
http://www.tickets4anyevent.com/tma2.asp


Song of the Year

A Las Escondidas - Joe Lopez, Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz
Como Cambian Las Cosas - Avizo
Elida's Medley - Elida Reyna
Mi Prietita Consentida - Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution
Te Me Vas - Emilio Navaira


Male Vocalist of the Year

Emilio Navaira
Jay Perez
Jimmy Gonzalez
Joe Posada
Ruben Ramos


Female Vocalist of the Year

Delia Gonzales
Elida Reyna
Megan Leyva
Rebecca Valadez
Shelly Lares


Entertainer of the Year

Emilio Navaira
Jay Perez
Jimmy Gonzalez
Ruben Ramos
Sunny Sauceda


Album of the Year - Tejano

35th Anniversary - Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution
De Nuevo - Emilio Navaira
Despacito - Joe Posada
Incomparable - Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz
Ram Herrera and the Outlaw Band 2007 - Ram Herrera


Album of the Year - Conjunto

Chuco's - Los Garcia Brothers
El Pachuco Nuevo - Da Krazy Pimpz
Exitos De Combate - La Tropa F
Mas Invicto Que Nunca - Invicto
Suenale - Jimmy Lee y Tentazion


Crossover Song of the Year

Brazilian Moon - Joe Posada
Don't Want to Say Goodbye - Rebecca Valadez
His House - Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz
Mira Nomas - Los Desperadoz
Squeez Box - Sunny Sauceda


Vocal Duo of the Year

Elida Reyna and Chente Barrera
Emilio and Raulito Navaira
Mike and Lee Villarreal - Los Desperadoz
Ruben Ramos and Rick Fuentes - The Mexican Revolution
Shelly Lares and Sunny Sauceda


Most Promising Band

Da Krazy Pimpz
Jimmy Lee y Tentazion
Leslie Lugo
Rebecca Valadez
Tex-Mex Kadillaks


Showband of the Year

Avizo
Jay Perez
Joe Lopez, Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz
Ruben Ramos and The Mexican Revolution
Sunny Sauceda


Thank you for supporting the Tejano Music Awards.

Las Vegas Super Tejano Dance July 4th & 5th

ACADEMY OF TEJANO ARTISTS & MUSICIANS
427 N. MAIN, #7
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205
210-227-2826
www.tejanoacademy.com

2008 Tejano Super Dance
July 4th-5th, 2008 Las Vegas, Nevada
Riviera Hotel & Casino

The Academy of Tejano Artists & Musicians and 1604 Entertainment Group is proud to announce the first Tejano Super Dance 2008, to be held in Las Vegas, July 4th and 5th, 2008 at the legendary Riviera Hotel and Casino. The 2008 Tejano Super Dance will bring together several premiere Tejano acts, with the highest audience demand, for a fun music-filled holiday weekend. The following top Tejano artists are scheduled to perform:

David Lee Garza y Los Musicales, Jay Pérez, Jaime de Anda y Los Chamacos, Mike & Lee Villarreal y Los Desperadoz, Emilio Navaira y Grupo Rio, Jessy Serrata y New Wave Band, Roberto Pulido y los Classicos, y Los Badd Boys del Valle

The 2008 Tejano Super Dance will help create awareness for the mission of The Academy of Tejano Artist & Musicians. The Tejano Academy's mission is to create and mobilize a unified effort of Tejano Artist &Musicians and formulate a membership organization that will fill the present void of Tejano music in the entertainment industry.

The Academy of Tejano Artists & Musicians is a non for profit organization that was established for all the artists and musicians within the Tejano Music Industry. This organization continues to educate and create awareness of the Tejano genre by awarding talented individual youths with educational music scholarships.

For additional information: Check out www.Tejanosuperdance.com or by Calling (210) 372-3804 for ticket information, hotel information, and sponsorship information of the 2008 Tejano Academy Super Dance in Las Vegas. Riviera Hotel and Casino is the official Hotel and Tickets4AnyEvent.Com is the official ticket agency for The Tejano Super Dance!

Tejano Music National Convention Moves To Dallas,TX

Tejano Music National Convention
2O08 OFFICIAL ARTIST LINE-UP

Friday, August 15

TEJANO LIVE! UNPLUGGED
Hyatt Hotel

TEJANO MEGA DANCE
Dallas Convention Center

Master of Ceremonies, Actor/Comedian
CHEECH MARIN

THE HORIZON SHOWCASE
& CLASSIC VOICES OF LA ONDA
AVIZO Houston’s Powerhouse with MEGAN LEYVA,
VERONICA SUSTAITA and CANDICE VARGAS
And JOE BRAVO, JIMMY EDWARD, JOHNNY
HERNANDEZ, ALFONSO RAMOS and SUNNY OZUNA
featuring RUDY PALACIOS

POWER CONJUNTO SEGMENT
SUNNY SAUCEDA and JAIME Y LOS CHAMACOS

UNITY PERFORMANCE: 80’s FLASHBACK
LA SOMBRA de TONY GUERRERO and FAMA

THE ULTIMATE JAY!
JAY PEREZ with special Guests AVIZO, JIMMY EDWARD, SHELLY LARES, and members of the legendary MALO

Saturday, August 16

TEJANO LIVE! UNPLUGGED
VIDA: The Electric Cowboys

TEJANO MEGA DANCE
Dallas Convention Center

Master of Ceremonies, Actor/Comedian
CHEECH MARIN

UNITY PERFORMANCE: THE CONJUNTO
EXPLOSION THE HOMETOWN BOYS and LOS GARCIA BROTHERS

THE ROYAL JESTERS REUNION
Featuring DAVID MAREZ and JOE POSADA

LONESTAR SHOOTOUT DE LA ONDA!
LOS TEXMANIACS, RICK TREVINO special guest RUBEN RAMOS

UNITY PERFORMANCE: LOS PRIMOS
ROBERTO PULIDO Y LOS CLASICOS with CHENTE BARRERA Y TACONAZO special guest ELIDA REYNA

MICHAEL SALGADO

RUBEN RAMOS & The MEXICAN REVOLUTION





2008 OFFICIAL AGENDA

All Official Convention events and activities will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Reunion or the Dallas Convention Center, unless otherwise indicated. Free Shuttle Service will be provided between hotel and convention center. Schedule and performers are subject to change.

Friday, August 15

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration/Tejano Central Merchandise
Hyatt Hotel

NOON - 5:00 PM AARP TEJANO EXPERIENCE USA FANFARE & EXPO
Hyatt Hotel

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Tejano Dance Instruction
Hyatt Hotel

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM SEMINARS
Hyatt Hotels

ARTIST/MANAGEMENT TRACK
TEJANO MUSIC TODAY: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
ARTIST MANAGEMENT: THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

FAN SERIES:
ON THE RECORD ARTIST FORUM
MEDIA & PUBLICITY TRACK
WEBSITE ADMINISTRATORS

WRITER’S SERIES
Luis Silva: The Art of the Hit Song!

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Tejano Dance Instruction
Hyatt Hotel

3:30 PM -4:30 PM TEJANO LIVE! UNPLUGGED
Hyatt Hotel

6:00 PM Doors Open
Dallas Convention Center

7:00 PM – 1:00 AM TEJANO MEGA DANCE
Dallas Convention Center


Saturday, August 16

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration/Tejano Central Merchandise
Hyatt Hotel

10:00 AM – NOON THE TEJANO SUMMIT & FORUM
Presented by the Tejano Music Network, the North Texas Tejano Music Coalition & Austin Tejano Music Coalition and Houston Tejano Music Coalition.

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Master Class Series: The Saxophone by Joe Posada

Master Class Series: The Accordion and Bajo Sexto: TBA

Master Class Series: The Trumpet by Lonny LaLane

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM AARP TEJANO EXPERIENCE USA FANFARE & EXPO
Hyatt Hotel

Noon – 1:30 PM Radio Programmer’s Summit (by invitation only)
Hyatt Hotel

Tejano Music Promoter’s Summit (by invitation only)
Hyatt Hotel

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Tejano Dance Instruction
Hyatt Hotel

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM SEMINARS

ARTIST/MANAGEMENT TRACK
Hyatt Hotel

FAN SERIES: TEJANO LEGENDS
RUBEN RAMOS
Hyatt Hotel

INDUSTRY
COUNTRY & TEJANO MUSIC
Presented in conjunction with the U.S. Hispanic Country Music Association
Hyatt Hotel

WRITER’S SERIES
Panel of Hit Makers: The A to Z of a Hit Song!

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Tejano Dance Instruction
Hyatt Hotel

3:30 PM -4:30 PM TEJANO LIVE! UNPLUGGED VIDA

6:00 PM Registration & Doors Open
Dallas Convention Center

7:00 PM - 1:00 AM TEJANO MEGA DANCE
Dallas Convention Center


Sunday, August 17

10:00 AM - NOON Tejano Central Merchandise

10:00 AM – NOON Film Screenings

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM AARP TEJANO EXPERIENCE USA FANFARE & EXPO





Convention Highlights



The National Tejano Convention is designed exclusively for the Tejano fan and industry representative.

Highlights include the following:



Artist and Fan Seminars – The Convention has an artist/management track discussing issues in the Tejano music industry.

Tejano fans enjoy seminars that bring them ‘up close” to hear their favorite artist describe their career journey and achievements.

An engaging question and answer forum closes each session.



Master Class Series – In support of the Convention mission of advancing Tejano music; the music master-class series invites musicians (from novice to the well seasoned) to pick-up “tips of the trade” from renowned artists. In addition, the selected Master Class musician instructors will provide historical background on the music genre and instrumentation.



AARP TejanoExperience USA Fanfare & Expo – The Expo unites artists with their respective national fan base.

The Expo is truly the “meeting ground” for networking, buying and selling, and music industry business. More than 100 booths will participate this year.



Tejano Hall of Fame Traveling Exhibit – Courtesy of the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in Alice, Texas, this museum display traces the historical contributions of Tejano music. Memorabilia includes artist apparel, vintage posters and historical video footage.



Tejano Dance Instruction – One of the more popular Convention programs, it’s an opportunity to learn basic technique of Tejano dancing or to add some fancy moves to what you already know.



Tejano Fashion Show – “Tejano Chic” will take the newly added runway as we show you the cool side of classic western-style fashions and accessories that are guaranteed to turn heads. Catch this unforgettable parade on the newest addition to the AARP TejanoExperience USA Fanfare & Expo.



Mechanic Bull – The biggest, baddest bull is in the house at the Tejano Music National Convention. Hold on to your hats because we are taking Tejano toughness to the next level. Save a Tejano, ride the bull!



The Mega-Dances/Concerts - The Convention is best known for its nightly Mega-Concerts featuring the industry’s “best of the best” recording artists in a musical extravaganza. Special one-of-a-kind performances, celebrity hosts, and the creation of “unique moments” make these segments the top attraction at the annual Convention.



Tex-Mex Special Achievement Awards - honoring lifetime & pioneering accomplishments, non-performing significant contributions, special achievements in the genre, and humanitarian efforts in the community. The 2008 Tejano Music National Convention will present awards in the following areas: Community, Pioneer, Producing and Business.



Film and TV Screenings – The Convention annually features short films that are relevant to the Latin culture and heritage that influences or has been touched by Tejano music.



Highlights and attractions are subject.





Convention Mission



Dodge Ram presents the 2008 Tejano Music National Convention, one of the largest Latin music conventions in the U.S. The Convention serves as an industry and fan-based “meeting ground” in advancing the Tejano (Tex-Mex) music genre. In celebration of its 5th anniversary in 2008, the three day event convenes in Dallas, Texas on August 15-17 with more than 7,000 fans and industry leaders including 300 artists and performers. The Convention brings together national Tejano enthusiasts for the expressed purpose of music and dance appreciation, while increasing the understanding of the rich variety, artistic value, cultural and historical significance of Tejano Music.



“I can think of no better city than Dallas to host our Texas homecoming,” said David Chavez, Founder and Executive Producer. The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau are to be commended for their enthusiasm and their ability to galvanize citywide support for this event with musical roots in Texas.



Convention sponsors include Dodge Ram as Title Sponsor, AARP, Southwest Airlines, BNET Radio.com, Coors Light, Crown Royal,

the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Dallas Convention Center.





Vision



The vision of the National Tejano Music Convention & Awards is to advance the Tex-Mex music genre by convening the music

Leadership and its fans to foster a more viable, stronger industry through the following initiatives :



· Provide a forum for discussion of industry issues and concerns and to seek consensus in addressing the essential needs of the music as a business.



· Increase and enhance the Tejano or Tex-Mex music visibility through press coverage, content development, new media opportunities, and promotion.



· To build on the legacy and profound historical contributions of the music through various national and local partnerships, including the creation of the Tex-Mex Special Achievement Awards.



· To serve as a “voice of the music” by engaging national corporate advertisers and entertainment/media trade organizations to support the Tejano music art form and industry.



· To work in collaboration and serve as a “unifying force” with existing organizations, promoters, dance clubs, radio and internet properties in growing and providing continued access to Tejano music.



· To showcase new artists and assist in the development of the next generation of Tejano artists and fans.

Grammy Winner Little Joe Heading To Kansas City

Multi Grammy winner, Little Joe will be heading to Kansas City to celebrate Cinco De Mayo with 20,000 of his closest friends. The Tejano legend who most recently took home the 2008 Grammy for his "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" cd will be the featured performer Saturday night at this year's Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's celebration. The event formerly known at "The Fiesta In the Heartland" will be renamed "Fiesta Kansas City" will feature top notch Hispanic entertainment. The event runs from Friday May 9 to Sunday May 11 with Little Joe headlining on Saturday May 10. We will give you information as it becomes available, but plan on attending because this event will be the biggest Hispanic event in the area. If you want to get involved, the Chamber is currently looking for volunteers to help in a number of areas. If you are interested, please contact Kathy Tinoco by email at kathytinoco@hotmail.com See you there.