Jimmy Lee y Tentazion will soon be shooting a video for one of their singles.  We’re hoping the video will use “Si No Ay Pleito No Ay Amor” or “Los Melones.”  The only thing we know for sure is that the video will be shot at the Texas Grand in Beeville real soon.

We wish the best of luck to JLyT in the making of their video.  As many of you know, most Tejano videos suck and you can tell they were made on a strict/low budget.  Keep this in mind:  Just cause you have a budget doesn’t mean your video has to look that way.

We will post more details as they become available.

East Coast vs. West Coast, Bloods vs. Crips, Homos vs. Heteros, Democrats vs. Republicans, cons vs. libs, damn, we’ve seen it all in the past couple of decades.  But NEVER have we seen an open / public display of smack-talking like this!  Well, not in Tejano music anyway.

Oscar de la Rosa (La Mafia) has openly challenged A.B. Quintanilla y Los Kumbia All Starz to a battle of sounds.  This is apparently going to take place at the Richard Borchard Fairgrounds in Robstown, TX (close to Corpus Christi) on August 2.  Many fans are upset because of the location; they say “Where the hell is Robstown?”  Two words:  Google Maps.

You can bet your ass tBL will be there getting some real good footage.

Check out the videos to see what’s going on.  Hard to say if this is just a publicity stunt/baile or what.  Leave a comment!
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Six Pack is Siggno’s newest album under Freddie Records.

The CD features a variety of song styles such as rancheras, cumbias, huapangos, a bolero, and a couple of skits. Not much has changed in the style of music, though. I suppose you could say its a good thing because of the band’s distinguishable style. What brought my attention to the CD was the album title; I was expecting Jesse ‘n friends to make a complete 180 degree turnaround with a full conjunto/norteño album. Instead, the samples on Amazon’s website provided me with that Siggno-style music the band is known for.

It sounds like a really solid album. My favorite tracks from the CD are Tu Tienes Que Vivir Conmigo, La Lamparita, Pajarito Pajarito, Te Quieres Casar, Alrededor Del Mundo.

The CD will be out tomorrow (June 17, 2008) and will sell for $14.99. If you go digital (iTunes or Amazon), the album will be around $8.99.

So as you all know (or don’t know) I moved backed to good ‘ol Texas, and in this state everybody basically knows everybody. I was hired for a job almost immediately. One day, I was doing my daily routine when I run into my aunt and uncle. My uncle and I start talking about the family and all the new things that have been going on. He tells me that they are in the studio and recording some tracks (Christian music). So, im like “Wow Tio, thats so cool.” Then he leans over and says, “Do you know who sings with us? Remember Sonia Bass- Diva de Kumbia?”

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While I was at a local HEB (for those of you non-Texans, HEB is a grocery chain) trying to decide what kind of beer to buy, I had an old friend come up to me and ask me if I knew any bands.  After five minutes of non-stop laughter, I told him I did but asked why.  “Well a friend of mine was recently stabbed in Mexico and is recovering.  We want to throw a benefit dance for him, you know, with barbecue plates and music.  We’re having a hard time finding bands that are willing to donate the time though,” he said.  My heart immediately sank to the floor.

This subject really is disheartening.  Today’s selfish society has an apparent influence in our Onda.

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We’ve just received word that the 10th Annual South Texas Conjunto Association Awards will be held this Sunday, July 13th at the Pharr Convention Center in Pharr, TX (duh).

From what we gathered, there will be 13 of South Texas’ finest conjuntos showcasing their stuff throughout the evening. Various awards are expected to be given to the bands in different categories. The association is working on getting the ballots out and the nominations in.

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Created by conjunto diva Linda Escobar, the Veterano Conjunto Festival is held in honor of veterans everywhere and the festival’s committee awards a scholarship to a few chosen school-aged children for college.  In order to win a scholarship, the students must submit an essay explaining why they should receive the scholarship and have some interest in music.   In the previous nine festivals, the Veterano Conjunto Festival has “awarded 33 scholarships to children who have a musical talent in the Conjunto Genre.”

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Amadeo Flores is a very popular accordion tuner from Alice, TX.  Known worldwide, he is sometimes said to be the best.

We just heard through the grapevine (no, not KXTN’s Grapevine) that Amadeo Flores is currently being hospitalized for having fluid in his lungs.  He apparently refused a blood transfusion due to his Jehovah’s Witness faith, however we hear his wife is strongly encouraging him to go with it.

Amadeo Flores tunes accordions for many of the professional artists you hear on the radio.  He was inducted into the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in Alice, TX in 2000.   You can usually catch him at clubs and bars around Alice passing around his business card to musicians.

If we hear anymore regarding his condition, we will definitely keep you updated.  In the meantime, please keep Mr. Flores and the entire Flores family in your prayers.

When we first heard about the incident, we knew right away there was alcohol involved.  Think about it:  coming out of a gig at Hallabaloo’s, hitting the road at 4:00 in the morning.  There is no way you go to a club like that (musician or customer) and walk out sober, and with an act like Emilio’s, con mas ganas.  Emilio has been previously arrested for DWI.

On the brighter side, we are glad to hear that Emilio has been moved to a rehabilitation center.  He is reportedly able to speak, eat, and do other amazing things.  Although, doctors do say that he will have a rough time concentrating and remembering stuff.

We hope Emilio plans to hire a road manager in the future.  We also hope that all of Tejano’s future stars will learn something from this experience.

In a scene where old fundamental ideas are still very prevalent, we are in a time right now where Tejano bands are confused.  What exactly are we talking about?

To start things off, lets take a look at Juanes and Enrique Iglesias.   Both have released Tejano and Norteño sounding versions of their recently popular singles.  Radio stations are playing the crap out of these releases (not to mention the original versions).  We see things as, “Oh, ok.  Nice try.”  They’re not as catchy as their original version, but you don’t see them going all out with a full blown Tejano production.

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When we say Univision, we mean the record label part of the Mexican media conglomerate.

We were (and still are) very skeptical when we heard about this one. Everyone (really?) is talking about how Univision will soon be closing its doors. Keep in mind, there aren’t many major Tejano/Regional Mexican labels around.

There seems to be some kind of domino effect in play, however. Apparently, there are some other “key” Tejano/Regional Mexican labels that will be shutting down as well. But who?

We have to ask, with many big bands like Intocable and Duelo (not to mention the many international heavy hitters on their list), why would they shut down? Only time will tell.

Do keep in mind that this is an unconfirmed rumor for now.

We’re not taking sides or anything, but Nando says in the interview that Cruz wants to do things the way he wants to.  In reality (and with all due respect) the band owner can do as he pleases with the group.  As a band member, you have to “follow da leada leada leada follow da leada leada leada.” Leaving the band was a great decision for this reason:  if you’re not happy and you don’t voice it, it will have a domino effect on the rest of the band.  Everybody wins.

Nando does not want a relationship with Cruz or the band the way A.B. has had with them.  We wish Nando the best of luck with the future of his career.

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Here is a 30 minute clip of the tribute, including an exclusive call-in interview by Raulito (Emilio’s brother).

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It is official:  Cacy Savala has indeed left Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz.  Although we won’t post any details as to why she left (kind of personal), at least we can say that rumor has become confirmed truth yet again.

We hope that Cacy will come back soon, perhaps in a solo act even.  I would personally hate the absence of her voice on the radio.

Good luck Cacy!  We love you!

We have just learned that Emilio Navaira is in critical condition after the singer, along with his band, suffered a near-fatal accident in their bus.

Navaira was driving the bus when it crashed into a spot of freeway barrels (you know, those things that look like trash cans) around 5:00 am. The band was on their way to San Antonio back from a gig in Houston. All of the band members are in the hospital at this time, but it has been reported that Emilio had the worst injuries and would require surgery.

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