By RAMIRO BURR

SAN ANTONIO -- Singer/songwriter Raul Navaira says he's ready to step out on his own with a new CD in the wake of his brother Emilio's extended recovery from head injuries.

Emilio, Raul and other band members were hurt in a March 2008 bus tour crash in Houston.

Raul Navaira's new CD is slated for a Sept. 29 release. It is titled "Simplemente Raulito Por Mientras," which Raul explained is in reference to 'what I am doing while Emilio recovers from his injuries."

The first single is a lively polka titled "Bajo de tu Sombra," written by Raul, which refers to Emilio's giant shadow.

"It means that I have always been under his shadow, under his wing," Raul said. "The lyrics are about my faith in his full recovery and that I will await for the day when he is fully recovered."

The lryics detail Raul's appreciation for his older brother's guidance and vigilance during their career. Lyrics include the line "Bajo de tu sombra, me enseñe a vivir...juntos los dos, aqui te espero carnal."

The CD, which also features Emilio's sons Emilio IV and Diego on bass and drums, has been 8 months in the making. Raul produced the CD and wrote seven of the tracks and the CD includes a song by his daughter Destiny titled "Mi Vida."

"We did it with keyboards and I really liked the way it came out," he said.

Raul Navaira also included a song by his late father Emilio Jr. titled "Contenta mi Vida." "We re-did that song in a ballad style."

Raul said his brother Emilio is "doing fine and he is going through his weekly therapy. We want to thank everyone for all their prayers and well-wishes. Everyone has been so kind and supportive."

Raul said he expects his brother 'to some day make a full and complete recovery."

Of all the group members, Emilio, who was driving, was the worst injured in the bus tour crash. Since then, Emilio has undergone several major brain surgeries. In March 2009, he was also charged with driving while intoxicated and sentenced to two years probation.

More interview details at www.ramiroburr.com

Filed 4 de Septiembre, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

SAN ANTONIO - You never know when a particular song will become a hit says award-winning songwriter Mitch Stephen.

"You know, you can spend years writing what you think of as good songs about serious relationships," he said recently. "Then you write a funny song about a gringo and it takes off."

That funny song was David Lee Garza y Los Musicales' tune "Who's that Gringo?" To everyone's surprise, the song went on to capture the Crossover Song of the year award at the 2005 Tejano Music Awards.

No small accomplishment. That song beat out some heavy-hitters including "My Woman, My Lover, My Friend," by Grupo Mazz; "Amor, Familia Y Respeto," by K1; "Quemar," Maz Ambicion; and "Taking on the Wind," by Stefani Montiel.

Beyond stunned by winning the award, Stephen was astonished that the fans in the sold-out arena sang along to his lyrics.

"It's an excitement, a feeling you never forget," he said. "To hear all these people singing along...to know that what you wrote, brought some joy to people is hard to describe."

For Stephen, achieving such heady recognition was sweeter than candy. Ask any struggling or veteran songwriter, after years in the trenches few forget their first successes.

"I was higher than a kite that night," Stephen said. "My feet didn't touch the ground for at least two weeks."

Like most writers, Stephen wrote about what was familiar, getting inspiration from personal experiences and emotional upheavals.

"Writing songs has always been like a catharsis for me, a way to express myself, my feelings, my points of view," said Stephen. "It was a way to inspire or move me, and hopefully, a way to move others."

Stephen began writing tunes when he was in the 7th grade.

Continue reading "Mitch Stephen: songwriting is a hit and miss deal" »

Filed 12 de Junio, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

SAN ANTONIO – Hardcore conjunto fans are going to get the biggest bang for their buck at the 2009 Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio, says organizer Juan Tejeda.

“First, they are going to get a lineup of some of the best conjuntos in the genre that they do not get anywhere else,” Tejeda said in a recent interview. “Fans are going to enjoy a unique lineup of the best.
“Usually, in area shows, they get to see a headliner and a warm-up band. But at the festival, each night we have 4-5 or 5-6 headliners on one stage.”

Esteban Jordan

The massive outdoor concert series, scheduled May 6-9 is featuring some of the top conjunto music legends including Esteban Jordan, Mingo Saldivar, and Ruben Vela. The festival kicks off at the historic Guadalupe Theatre, 1301 Guadalupe St. at S. Brazos, and continues nightly at the nearby Rosedale Park, 342 Dartmouth.

Additional performers include Oscar Hernandez, Los Dos Gilbertos, Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers, and Sunny Sauceda.

The level of talent is a major part of what makes the 2009 TCF stand out.

“There are 10 conjunto hall of famers returning this year,” Tejeda said. “These are top pioneers like Los Dos Gilbertos, Mingo Saldivar. Many of these have been at the top of their game and still continue to be.

“But we also have lots of new talent. We have six bands that have never performed at the festival such as Sunny Sauceda, Los Badd Boyz, Johnny “El Brujo” Cruz & the Texas Chain Gang and Ricardo Guzman & Tres Aces.

A unique highlight this year is a special Tribute to Esteban Jordan, one of the all-time great accordionists in the history of conjunto music.

Continue reading "Tejano Conjunto Festival 2009: Big names, new faces" »

Filed 5 de Mayo, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

SAN ANTONIO -- It took several years before new conjunto group Maldad finally produced their debut CD, “Tradicion Humilde,” but the wait was worth it says drummer/singer Santos Aguilar. Constant touring, recording delays, and family obligations all contributed to the delays to this long-awaited album.

“The hardest part of the CD was basically coming together and really saying we're going to do it,” Aguilar said in a recent interview. “We always had intentions that someday we would do it and (co-founder)
J.R. (Ramos) and I would talked about it and little by little, it started coming together.”

Expectations were high for the group’s debut album. Aguilar comes from a conjunto tradition. His father, Emilio, and his uncle, Genaro Aguilar, have led the long-running conjunto group Los Aguilares since the ‘60s. Santos Aguilar has played in Los Aguilares for several years as well as other groups such as Grupo Escandalo and Conjunto Volcan.

Meanwhile, Maldad co-founder J.R. Ramos is an accordion virtuoso who began playing by the time he was 6. A little older he took accordion classes with the late great Valerio Longoria. J.R. has played with
many well-known bands including Grupo Escandalo, Steve Jordan, and Little Joe y La Familia.

Continue reading "GRUPO MALDAD: Continuing conjunto family tradition" »

Filed 20 de Abril, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By Ramiro Burr

SAN ANTONIO -- It comes as no surprise but yet it is still a little shocking and sad that Tejano singer Emilio Navaira has been charged with driving while intoxicated earlier on Friday.

It is a Class A misdemeanor charge that comes as a result of Navaira's crashing his tour bus in late March 2008.

Fan reaction has been mixed over the past year. Some blame him for the accident and say he is responsible for any injuries and damages. Others say with his subsequent coma and hospitlization, and full recovery that has yet to come to pass, Emilio has suffered enough.

Cover artwork for new live concert DVD.
(Artwork by photographer/songwriter Tejano Ray)

According to family members, Emilio still needs another operation to replace the bone piece that doctors
removed last April to relieve pressure on his brain.

According to Warren Diepraam, Harris County chief of vehicular crimes prosecutions, under the charge, Navaira would face up to two years probation or up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. His bond was set at $5,000.

Continue reading "Emilio Navaira: DWI Arrest warrant " »

Filed 6 de Marzo, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By Ramiro Burr

The 2009 Tejano Music Awards (TMA) will unfold in a new venue and will showcase new award categories say officials.

And the TMA voting ballot (deadline Feb. 17) is now available online for the awards scheduled April 11.

The new venue is the 4,800-capacity Municipal Auditorium. It is the awards show's sixth venue in the last seven years with stops at the Freeman Coliseum, Graham Central Station, Villita Assembly Hall and even the Lucky Eagle Kickapoo Casino in Eagle Pass.

Despite the traveling aspect of the awards, show organizer Ruben Cubillos says the most important thing about the awards is their primary mission:

"The TMA's mission, from its inception by its cofounders, still holds true 29 years later – to promote excellence, understanding and appreciation for the music," said Cubillos, executive director of the VIVE Tejano organizer. "The TMAs shall continue to provide a forum to present original artistic efforts."

Cubillos believes the TMAs are just as important as the Grammys.

Continue reading "New venues, categories mark 2009 Tejano Music Awards" »

Filed 12 de Febrero, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

San Antonio has always played a critical role in the founding of Hispanic media in the United States, a medium that today is a national player in the media industry.

The first Spanish-language daily newspaper, radio station and television station in the country were all founded here more than 50 years ago which makes the Alamo City the recognized birthplace of the medium.

The men who founded and developed Hispanic media in those early days, more than a century ago, were honored Wednesday during a tribute luncheon presented by the American Marketing Association.

Godfathers of Hispanic media: (L-R) Tino Duran, Eduardo Caballero and Emilio Nicolás, Sr.
(Source: Rosalinda Rizo)

Known as the "Godfathers of Hispanic Media," these men- were major players and a big influence in the development of Spanish media, not only in Central Texas but throughout the United States.

Spanish-language TV, print and advertising pioneers Emilio Nicolás, Sr., Tino Durán and Eduardo Caballero recalled the challenges they faced at a time when Hispanic media was not considered a viable entity.

"These men were not afraid to do what had not been done, in a time when many said it could not be done," said fellow Hispanic advertising pioneer Lionel Sosa, who also moderated the tribute panel.

Continue reading "US Hispanic media legacy, pioneers celebrated " »

Filed 29 de Enero, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

When an artist takes on a production role for the first time, it can be a major gamble says Tex-Mex singer Michelle.

"It can be very frustrating and there's always a lot of pressure your first time," Michelle said in a recent interview. "The most frustrating moments of this CD were the long studio hours that the musicians, engineers and I had to put in to complete this CD the way we wanted it.

"It was a real challenge, trying to keep up everyone's moral especially when everyone was tired because they had been recording and working hard for many, many hours. "

The result is Michelle's latest CD, "Todos a Bailar," a 10-track collection of fun cumbias, pop ballads and polkas.

Continue reading "Michelle: "the goal is producing a fun dance album"" »

Filed 29 de Enero, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

Mexican rock band Jaguares went for a harder rock edge on their latest CD "45," said guitarist/ singer/songwriter Saul Hernandez.

"This album is more concrete and more direct in sound and concept that our previous," Hernandez said in a recent interview. "It is not an eclectic record nor did we experiment as much as we usually do in previous albums."

The group Jaguares is formed by Saul Hernandez, César López and Marco Renteria.
(Source: Ramiro Burr)

Longtime followers of Los Jaguares know the group's penchant for blending their rock guitars with psychedelic rhythms and abstract lyrics.

But on their latest CD. their first studio work in three years, the sound definitely leans toward a rock metal edge. The first single "Alquimista," features guitars blazing over dense percussions, while Hernandez sings about stepping out from "a life lived inside a jar."

Los Jaguares are on a new U.S. tour to promote their "45" CD. The "Gira 45" tour will include stops in Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, Baltimore, Atlanta and Miami in February and March.

See their complete tour dates listings.

Formed originally in 1985 as Los Caifanes, the group changed their name to Jaguares in 1996. Among their main influences the group cites artists as varied as Don Was, Rolling Stones, David Hidalgo, Morrisey, Stuart Copeland, Billy Preston, Flaco Jiménez, Tigres del Norte, and Juan Gabriel.

Continue reading "Jaguares seek harder edge on '45'; launch new US tour" »

Filed 20 de Enero, 2009 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

Some songs like the torchy bolero, "Mucho Corazon," have enough juice that they never cease to fascinate new generations says bajo sexto player Carlos Maldonado.

So, that's why, despite so many covers, he and his band Grupo Fuerte recorded "Mujer Corazon," a classic tune by Emma Elena Casarin Valdemar on his new CD, "Mas Fuerte que Nunca."

Carlos Maldonado

"I've always been a fan of old music. That song has been recorded time after time and for good reason," he said in a recent interview. "It's such a wonderful song and hasn't been recorded in a while.

"I actually fell in love with it again when I heard it by accordionist Steve Jordan. He's one of the reasons I recorded it. That and it just being such a great song."

The lyrics describe the power of honesty and devotion in a relationship. And while many top artists have covered it, the song still retains it's emotional charge. Steve Jordan's version stands out for it's heavy blues flavor.

Tradition is a big part of Maldonado's artistry, and for good reason. He began playing as a toddler in his father's band Grupo Aguila. Through the years he's also had tenures with the Hometown Boys, Elsa García, and David Lee Garza y Los Musicales.

Conjunto and Tejano heritage is infused in the Maldonado family. Carlos Maldonado's great uncle is the late Mario Montes Sr. of Los Doneños. And Roberto Pulido of Los Clasicos is his second cousin.

With a nod to Conjunto Bernal and other great groups that employed beautiful vocal harmonies, Maldonado also included the tune "No Me Trates Asi," written by Joe Flores.

"It took a while, but we did it in a three-part vocal harmony," said Maldonado. "I really wanted that sound."
The 10-track CD opens with "Agonia," a mid-tempo polka with lyrics that describe the calm that comes after a romantic turmoil. Maldonado's semi-retired father, Maldonado Sr., also does a guest vocal stint on "La De Los Ojos Cafes," a tune originally recorded by his father.

The "Mas Fuerte que Nunca" CD is Maldonado's third independent CD but the first on his own label, Fuerte Records.

Working as an independent is always tough, but especially so, given the current economy.

Continue reading "Carlos Maldonado: Old classics never die" »

Filed 22 de Diciembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

Working as an elementary school teacher by day and as a ballad performer by night isn't easy says singer/songwriter Elizabeth.

But despite the sacrifices and hard work, she says singing brings its own reward.

Elizabeth

"The long hours in the studio and long nights away from my family were difficult and cumbersome," she said. "But when I see the reaction by fans and family to my music, that's what makes it all worthwhile."

Elizabeth is touring behind her debut CD, titled "Siempre," a varied and versatile mix of cumbias, rancheras, polkas and ballads.

The first single from the CD, released on the independent Soleil Discos, is titled "Nada De ti," an upbeat cumbia which kicks off with a sizzling trumpet solo by Elizabeth. The song, released to radio recently, was written by George Tamayo. The lyrics describe a defiant woman ready to walk away from a relationship gone south. Elizabeth incorporated the talents of several top-notch songwriters including Beto Ramon and Luis Valenzi, and she also wrote the title track.

The singer enlisted the engineering skills of multiple Grammy winning producer Gilbert Velasquez and the album was recorded at the famed Velasquez Studio. She also recruited special musical guests on the CD including Hugo Guerrero on keyboards, Chente Barrera on drums, A.J. Castillo on accordion and Jorge Alejandro on percussion.

The biggest challenge in the studio, says Elizabeth, was enduring long recording sessions.

"The most difficult part was having patience. I have learned that patience is definitely a virtue one must have when completing a project of this magnitude," she said. "As an artist, there is money invested in a record production and it is often difficult to wait for the final product. But you can't rush someone's 'creativity'.

Continue reading "Elizabeth: new CD varied, versatile" »

Filed 4 de Diciembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)

By RAMIRO BURR

A recording group always runs a risk when signing with a new label but Grupo Bryndis says teaming up with EMI Televisa was the right combination.

"Sometimes, the worry is that you sign with a label that has too many artists and they can't dedicate the right time for you," said guitarist Mauro Posadas. "But it turns out EMNI doesn't have too many grupos, so this was good."

Even more important, especially for a veteran group like Bryndis is that EMI Televisa is an international record label, able to provide and distribute CDs into many Latin American countries.

Bryndis recently toured Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil and the ability to offer their music in those markets was critical.

"That was very important for us," said Posadas. "Brazil is a very large market and we just began building an audience there. With EMI, they can distribute us there as well as other important markets such as Spain, Central America, Bolivia."

Formed in 1989 in Santa Paula, California, Bryndis is a grupo, a term in Mexico used to define bands that play mostly keyboard-heavy ballads. The genre leaders would include Bukis, Los Temerarios, Bronco and Yahari. The groups also play a mix of cumbias, rancheras, and boleros.

Continue reading "Bryndis: new label will help open new markets in Brazil, Spain" »

Filed 26 de Noviembre, 2008 | Permalink | View Blog Reactions | Comments (0)