All TEJANOmike commentaries written on this Internet Web site link are my own views, beliefs, and observations of the subject matter at hand. While expressing my own free opinionated analysis and conclusive judgment on tejano related matters stated here, I most certainly do not want to disrespect anybody and/or discredit visitors for their own pro and con feedback or criticism. Life goes on. Some comments date back a few years and may not reflect the present logical beliefs and judgment of our present day. Thank you.

PART TWO:

Strategies For A New Onda

UNRAVELING THE NUCLEUS OF LA ONDA ... By TEJANOmike 03/06/08

A few days ago Lizz from the ATMC called me and asked if I was attending their meeting in San Antonio. I told her I was going to San Antonio and that I would assist them in whatever way I could. She said, "well, think of a topic to address the people attending the forum or the state of tejano music in Arizona … and bring solutions too." At first I thought, well, that shouldn’t be too hard since for a few weeks now I've been thinking, "what in the world could be holding up our Onda's progress from year to year?” As days passed it got more complicated than expected simply because we do need to understand the complete picture in this important Onda issue.

Three things came to my conclusion and they are all in parallel with our present-day Onda. They are:

No present and clear denominator within our infrastructure of La Onda.
Our tejano music is in a transformational change that is hard for us to understand.
Our music is not salable or is a marketable product; or in demand by sponsors, buyers, and consumers.

The COMMON DENOMINATOR factor I am referring to here is: ”Aside from our music, we practically have no common ground or can agree in principle across the board on any Onda issue", or as I like to say, "we are a divided society across the United States" ... the missing denominator does not address what we want from our music at all. The crucial and important denominator is just not there at all. I sense this among us from time to time and also in our present tejano state of business relations and diplomacy. Putting it another way: "We are uncertain in so many things and what we want from our tejano music industry as a whole." Uncertainty thus creates a difference factor among us that we wonder what is wrong.

As tejanos perhaps the enemy or our Onda problems in all of this and throughout our road in life as fans and musicians is us, and not somebody else. What I am telling you is that "connectivity in the tejano Internet world" is lacking tremendously. I'm not talking about MySpace or emails here and there, or Yahoo and Google searches, rather the one-on-one connectivity and using all available media to improve our Onda collectively. My Analysis Of The Present Tejano Spectrum

We're all changing to a certain degree in both life cycles AND music.

These time progressions and stages of development have brought about different generations over the years. Meaning, the big bands of long ago produced the artistic root of Beto Villa; Beto Villa in turn and sort of speak 'created' the Isidro Lopez era; from Isidro Lopez came Little Joe which in turn produced smaller groups and bands that we presently have today.

Skip a few decades in our century and here we are in 2008 with a diverse and non-uniformity of sounds, groups, singers, and musicians of all sorts to choose from!

We also have in our present society many faithful tejanos and tejanas that refuse to let go of the past or music that is 'no longer current.'

We also have our middle generation with its cultural and/or social characteristics and attitudes that have had a life progression of 'both worlds.' Another words, they enjoy listening to the old school and today's present music trends.

Today's much younger generation of tejanos, tejanas, and musicians I would think, have migrated or changed directions on us and gone to the R&B world, rap, country, the Latin international route, the Jazz scene, crossovers and at times half tejano music mixed in there with who knows what!

My own analysis tells me all these transitional periods and generations, family fusions and incomparable age trendsetters, add all these elements together and now we have this tejano division we see today.

SUGGESTION ON THIS FIRST AGENDA: DENOMINATOR

We must break away from other parts of ourselves that sit submerged beneath our everyday consciousness and this demands courage. Music adviser Peter Spellman states, "There is nothing more brave than filtering out the chatter that tells you to be someone you're not. There is nothing more genuine than breaking away from the chorus to learn the sound of your own voice." Understanding who we are enlightens the mind to perhaps understand ourselves completely as "true tejanos that we are" ... then perhaps we will wake up one day and break away from boundaries and limitations and for once hear the sound of our own tejano voices! Remember that our Onda will not advance, it will not survive, or create it's own progress unless our conventional values are shared as one.

TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE: Generally speaking nothing ever stays the same; changes are inevitable. Music does not escape the human need to explore and change with time itself. We can go back to Narciso Martinez (1911-1992) who gave the accordion player a new virtuosity in the 1930s. We can even go back to the 40s, 50s, and love our 60s, 70s, and the early 80s, but along came the 1990s that perhaps started a new trend in our the tejano music ... but if you are still here reading this dialogue, let us remember too that history IS history! ... and our new tejano music is exploiting to some degree with an unpredictable pace of it's own. A selected few in our TEJANOlogy world understand the dramatic changes that are among us; a few hate it; some of us cannot even get along cooperatively to clearly see what is present in front of us. That is why I have stated many times before that our tejano music needs to be 'reclassified with new standards' and/or with other sub-categories in order to merge and co-exist with the new groups of today. I say again, 'tejano music in itself must stand alone.'

For La Onda to survive and have modern continuity yet still be global and competitive, we must accept, admit, and/or regard them - 'other groups playing our tejano music' - yes, see them as part of our industry. We may agree or disagree whether Michael Salgado, Los Palominos, Intocable, and others are tejanos or not, still the gray line between 'us and them' must have a closer gap; putting it mildly here. FROM THE INTERNET: “In the last few years or so there has been an increasing Mexican influence on Tejano music resulting in a sound more like Norteno. The Accordion, while a historically popular instrument in Tejano music, has gone from a secondary or specialty instrument to a "must have" instrument. Today, groups like Los Chamacos, Sunny Sauceda, Eddie Gonzalez, emphasize the accordion.”

Regardless of all this and the media, we must find a way to conform the issue and with some accord and agreements in order to get along with our technological advances, accept new trends in our society, and even learn new standards and techniques from the modernization of our music environment. All these things and factoids are underlying evidence and convincing to me that our music is in a revolutionary and transformational process.

A MARKETABLE PRODUCT:

Onda has many excellent tejano groups in Texas and from other parts of the United Sates. We also have conjuntos and bands; add the indie male/female singers yet untapped and you would think 'La Onda Enterprises' would have millions of dollars in the bank! ... and with more money rolling in weekend after weekend! Wishful thinking for the moment I guess! Truth is our product - our tejano music - is not selling to higher standards of profitability, it is not salable to a measurable degree, AND it is not marketable on a grand and $$$$ scale. The answer is very simple: The answer is nobody is controlling our music business! How can we sell a super-sure-thing-music-product to the American and tejano consumer without any organization of any kind whatsoever! Hello! Is anybody out there listening?! Wake up gente! Let me repeat this again: 'Our tejano music is not salable to a measurable degree in mainstream America!'

QUOTING FROM THE INTERNET: "At the turn of the 21st century, the Tejano influence has declined in part due to decreased promotion, the rise in regional Mexican and other Latin music, the breakup or retirement of established performers, and the emergence of few new performers. Most Tejano artists who performed throughout the 1990's during the music's peak who are still performing today have rarely played to the same wide stream attention in recent years. Regardless, today's Tejano music, while far more pop-oriented than its Depression-era roots, is still a vital regional musical style in several Tejano communities as well as in other parts of the United States."

... oh boy is that the truth!. Give that reporter a $100.00 and a free trip to Disneyland!

As an example of this, let us say that our tejano groups put out 20-40 CDs per year, but let us see this main issue face-2-face: Without the proper channels of organization, marketing, distribution, radio and Internet rotational airplay, include the nonexistent commercial stores in all our major cities, well, your CD and mine is not going to go anywhere! Ladies and gentlemen, this is so appalling and a sad state of tejano business affairs and non-aligned tactics. We will never make the NASDAQ stock market this way. Nope.
All of the three issues that I have stressed and underlined here: A COMMON DENOMINATOR, TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES, A MARKETABLE PRODUCT ... all of them are important to both you and me. They are important and extremely crucial for the survival of our future Onda we love so dearly today. I will probably never see La Onda Tejana the way I envision it, nor will I see it change for the better in my lifetime. Then again who knows what direction La Onda will take itself?! … but for now we can all try to figure this agenda together for future tejano generations. Thank you so very much for reading this commentary.

FACTOIDS BY TEJANOmike:

"I once heard that when one dies and we go to meet our Creator?, that there is going to be a Bottom Line as to what we did in life. Well, when I heard this? ... the very next minute I gave it a long and slow contemplating thought. Since life goes by too fast I decided: I want my list and bottom line to be a long one; a very long bottom line!" San Jose CA, 1990
"Things are not the same any more and music has the upper hand with the tradition of changing us, and ultimately the band too." TEJANOmike 10/2000
"If your group was strong in the past, it must become even stronger in order to survive and be more competitive." TEJANOmike 10/2000
"We are all changing to a certain degree in both life cycles AND music. These time progressions and stages of development have brought about different generations over the years. Meaning, the big bands of long ago produced the artistic root of Beto Villa; Beto Villa in turn and sort of speak "created" the Isidro Lopez era; from Isidro Lopez came Little Joe which in turn produced smaller groups and bands that we presently hear on Internet radio. In my opinion only though, all these transitional periods and generations, family fusions and incomparable age trendsetters and with a magic wand and 1-2-3! ... presto! ... and now we have this tejano division we are witnessing today." TEJANOmike 03/17/05
"In our present competitive world of passive and aggressive people-fusion culture, add the music media interaction activity all around us, well, to me all of this seems to instigate a lot of controversy about our own Tejano music being 6-feet under, gone with the wind, that it has resurrected again, that-no-that-yes it's coming back! Maybe it's our own music itself they ask?! No, most certainly it cannot be that. In reality maybe it's all of us involved in the music industry not being able to see the modern virtual future all around us." TEJANOmike 12/12/06
"Most Tejanos - but not all of them - are just standing around doing nothing and waiting around the corner for 'some other people to take care of these tejano issues and concerns!' ... unfortunately my good friends, it just doesn't work that way anymore. This is the new modern society and we all have to share the burden on our shoulders; we must share the responsibilities that comes from being a Tejano or a Tejana. We must risk the daily cost and financial setbacks, we have to make the Tejano movement stronger than ever before. Furthermore, we must learn to live with the music changes and trends, to understand our accomplishments both good and bad ... and in the end to celebrate the final ambition of victory and success." TEJANOmike 02/15/04
"We all must follow the course of change; together we are obliged to walk the path of uncertainty. I urge all of you to unite and fight for our Texas flag; struggle for the integrity of our music that we have earned through generations of pure and proud tejano blood." TEJANOmike 03/25/05
"Today there is so much talk about the fact that our music is 'changing and dying' ... yet, most people cannot comprehend why it's changing AND to what degree or direction! Rather, we want to go back where we were before, or maintain the sounds of today for the present. Truthfully, we are unwilling to accept the realistic paradigm and factoid that we are in the center of a tejano transformation." TEJANOmike 11/14/06
"Lack of visibility in the mainstream media and our voices not being heard across this great country is hindering our process of advancement." TEJANOmike 02/22/05
"The Tejano Movement along with all it's concept and agendas, all our people and organizations, our artists, musicians and promoters, sponsors, fans, including our recordings ... has to progress and change with the millennium society. It should be self-driven, be an organization of one stature, and self-governing and more importantly ... our Onda must move forward on it's on momentum and heartbeat." TEJANOmike 01/06/06
"In today's modern and technological world our tejano music sounds beautiful and easy to play, but it is a problematical form of it's own yet complex, complicated, and easier said than done!" TEJANOmike 02/14/05

"It's so important and significant in 2008 for us as tejanos to understand our music in much better harmony, and to unite in traditionalism of our very own with an undaunted human spirit and hard work. Our Onda will not advance, it will not survive, or create it's own progress unless our conventional values are shared as one." TEJANOmike 12/11/07

"In our modern times of 2008 being a tejano is more like a 'definitive interpretation' of what we stand for, who we are, what we believe in, our likes and dislikes, a 360-degree total circumference within our TEJANOlogy world of today - and beyond if at all possible! It could also be like a descriptive portrait of a family, a small business, a company, an organization, a country, a nationality, a team, an American for that matter! Another words, 'TEJANOS' by association to anyone of these businesses or belonging to organized partnerships gives an individual a sense of pride that creates certain characterizations within our own environment and society." TEJANOmike 06/21/07

"It amazes me how close we are as tejanos, yet so distant in the unification of our Onda." TEJANOmike 10/05/07

"We must come together with an unstoppable alliance never seen before, and still tap away the obscuring shield that lies at the edge of the unknown. Let us begin." TEJANOmike 06/21/2007

Five Questions From TEJANOmike That Did Not Change Our Onda!

I posted this on another TAB thread, "It amazes me how close we are as tejanos, yet so distant in the unification of our Onda." Today there are 290 plus members on the TAB and from different locations and cities around the country. Some post; some read only; still, I wanted to ask all of you five questions about our Onda with the intention that all TAB members and MySpace friends would have a chance to voice their own opinions about our music industry. Sharing and learning from one another is still a fundamental goal of my message board.

You can participate if you want; I encourage you to do so for the simple reason that there is a new 'Tejano Alliance' about to emerge, and another TAB Forum coming up in NOV in Alice Texas. We would like to hear your voices and opinions. I would also add that all the TAB Admins would benefit from such dialog and feedback. I would even go further and state right here today that if all the questions are answered to the best of your own knowledge of tejano music?, our music industry?, and even La Onda?, that about 70% to 75% of the 267 members will give relational answers and opinions; we'll see! In the end though, ALL OF US do have the same basic principles of our tejano ideology! … and wants and needs of our Onda.

The time to change our Onda has arrived and that day is today! The time to move our tejano world, the time to make changes within our community, the time to get along and help each other for the benefit and progression of tejano music is now! It has arrived, but we continue to stand still. I'll say it again and again, "it's going to take all of us together to make a difference!" Here are the five basic questions to MySpace friends, the TAB members and ADMINS. I will state my short answers to get it started:

1) "What is it going to take for our people and our tejano music industry to have continuity at a much higher level?" My answer is for all of us to find ways to just get along and understand each other at first, and then become excellent participants on all movements towards our Onda. I say that because Our Onda must be self-driven, self-governing, and an organization that must move forward on it's on momentum and heartbeat.

2) We need strong leaders up front, new marketing strategies, a new and precise movement, a campaign with strong management standards and concepts, financial support from some of you, TV exposure, radio airplay, and organizations to guide us in the right direction. "How can YOU help us to achieve that?" … a very hard question to answer indeed. Well, let's see! Wow! I can't even answer my own question, LOL!! I would first 'get information' on where the tejano music industry is at with respect to all the tejano Indie artists; and there are many. Secondly, I would send letters to all our present tejano organizations asking them to have a meeting on a major city or in San Antonio; and this would be done to ask them if they want to participate in a campaign to move our Onda together and cooperatively. After this I would take the message and movement around the country to all our people. Thirdly, I would work with key advisers and volunteers to assist us on a country-wide tejano awareness movement. I would also ask Larry King, Lou Dobbs, Oprah Winfrey, and others for some TV coverage and be interviewed on our tejano issues.

3) PEOPLE WANT MORE! Fans of our tejano music and especially outside of Texas, do want more! This profitability would truly help so many groups and bands, plus it would allow other new artists more exposure. "Do you agree with this statement?" I do, but I think groups have to work with promoters a lot more. For example, if a middle-ranking group plays for 2K to 3K in Texas, why not come to New Mexico and Arizona for a 'standard fee' of say 4K to 5K? … 6K to 8K and above should cover CA, OR, and WA I would think! I'm just throwing average prices here and probably off by a long shot. All I'm trying to say is "work with promoters" … for example, would this work?! Let's say a dancehall with 1000 people capacity here in Phoenix AZ: A group would get 3K to 4K if the place gets half full; more than half full?, the promoter then gives the band another 1K or 2K! Groups really need to negotiate and work things out financially for the tejano music fan I would say; they are the most important assets on any event.

4) How can 'old school tejanos' .. middle-age tejanos that enjoy both 'old school and our present-day artists' .. and our young tejano fans of today .. question is, "How can these three fusion-generated categories and generations get along?" ... that is, get along to assist the Onda together? I find this issue less complicated than anything else or the other four questions. I would start with an awareness program or a music-culture related referendum to explain in detail what it means to be a tejano; that we are alike in so many different ways; and that all three generations do share a common identity in music, especially in our proud history .. and a great future that lies ahead.

5) "What keeps us from advancing forward - and ever so slowly?" We have all the resources available to launch a major drive and rallies across the United States today; this minute if we want it to! .. but, the problem is we are not together in unity, in true compliance and mission of what we want, and perhaps not even rebellious to get our music back to it's proper standing and ratings. Could it be that we are afraid or uncertain on how to go about it?, or is it that gene and DNA trait that inhibits us to yell out and scream who we are?! .. is it in our conscious and history for us to remain silent and renounce our tejano voices from being heard across this country of ours? I say, "enough is enough! Let's start doing something to make our tejano identity known to mainstream America! .. let's stop talking about it and start doing it!"

The Local Tejano Scene: Phoenix, AZ

Allow me to open this dialog AND to state what is so apparent in our valley today. I will talk only about the Phoenix music scene, but it could be the same thing in other major cities, who knows! In addition, this is not being uploaded to start any arguments whatsoever, rather only to share information between all of us living here locally ... and perhaps some input from others on how it is in their own respective local music scenes! For example, how is it in Houston compared to here?, in Dallas?, in Denver?, in McAllen?, in Chicago, in the state of Wisconsin? ... I would even add that, "it is in sharing ideas and information that we learn how to make things better for us. Maybe some of these inputs will also help a promoter better understand their own local tejano fans." Thank you so much.

FIRST ANALYSIS ...

There has been so many changes with a few so-called local tejano promoters, promotions, and venues lately and with no one in particular taking the lead! ... or finding one good place for our fans to go every single and major tejano event. The one thing that troubles one local promoter and I cannot mention his name here and I quote: "Well, first the people tell me they want more tejano dances and that they want this group and that group. Then when I do bring them here to PHX, most of the tejano people and fans don't show up at the event!"

Hmmm, well, a lot can be said here of course. Things do come up in our daily lives or something happen on the day of the event that all of a sudden we couldn't make it to the dance. It is understandable to me. Now, in my own discussions with a lot of people and during the "Kick Off" timeframe. the Gary Hobbs event, and living here four years now, a few factors can be brought up in this analysis and they are:

The Venue. The majority of you want a nice place to go and dance. Some of you like to travel only a certain distance to the event; some of the people do not like to go to clubs, but dancehalls or hotels. A few have told me that they only go to "west side dances" ... a few have said they only go to "east side" events. From all of this I gather we have 'different tejanos and from different locations' living here that makes it somewhat a little more complicated for, "all of us to get together in one dance or event." Nothing wrong with that picture I would add, but just a little more difficult for some promoters!

The Cover Charge. The medium is about $20.00 here in Phoenix. $10.00 to $15.00 is great for the people, but for the promoter bringing in a tejano group asking between $5000.00 and $6000.00, well, that can be a big problem or of major concern to say the least. Again though, up for debate. I think it should be around $20.00 for middle-ranking groups, and around $25.00 for major acts and groups coming here, that is Jimmy Gonzalez, Jay Perez, DLG, RAM, Ruben Ramos, etc.; around $12.00 for local events, but clubs and lounges charging anywhere from $6 - $7 is a little steep I think. Why not a basic $5.00 cover and free before 9:00pm!

Parking. These issues have been brought out too. Myself included, we seem to want plenty of parking and it should be free they say! I agree! Why not?!

Prices Beer and liquor prices?! ... another important issue too. No more than $3.50 for a beer I think, well, sounds reasonable for Arizona that is; about $4 for a mixed drink maybe?! Hmmm, hard to decide here I guess since I have never been involved as a bartender or club ownership, but I've heard many times before, "Come on! $4.50 for a beer?!" ... hello!!

The Groups.
There is also some differences and minor divisions here locally, but maybe the major deciding factor should be, "why people don't show up?" ... that is, it could be that some local tejano fans like conjuntos only and will not go to any other tejano dances or events; some like groups only; some like tejano bands only!; some like old school tejano music!; some like the new and upcoming artists! ... and some of you have preferences as to who comes and doesn't come.
- ... but then again, I've seen people in states like Texas and California that have dances and, "all the tejanos from a major city and certain regions just show up!", you know, I hear them say, "Hey!, there's a tejano dance at such and such place, let's go!!" ... but here in Phoenix and again not my intention to upset anybody or make you and I look bad here in AZ, just realistically trying to resolve some differences! ... as I was saying, but here when we have a tejano dance something in the order of ten questions pop up before the event or the flyers are made! Again, this makes it very hard for a few promoters as to who to bring, what to charge, where to bring them, etc. ... and then the promoters hold their breath and wonder, "will they show up?"

These are just four major issues that I've had with some of you from the valley. I for one have given it a lot of thought as to what to do to find a happy medium in 2008 so that, "all of us can attend a certain venue or place, and then bring all kinds of different tejano groups - or mix the lineup with conjuntos and bands, groups and bands, new groups and legends of our music all in one place, and with continuity!!" ... yet, still finding some conformity and commonality ground on all four issues mentioned above. Probably very hard to do or accomplish this, but NOT IMPOSSIBLE!

There is another factor and it should be disclosed here, well, more so questions than statements between the 'Tejano fan and Promoter connectivity' and they are:

... is there perhaps, "a lack of trust and/or misunderstanding between the tejano fan here in Phoenix and our promoters?
... do the fans know the promoter and his background?
... who he is and what he does?
... his own expertise and knowledge of the tejano music field and industry?
... how long or how many years has he/she been in the business?
... does he know our valley?, our people?, our tejano community?
... is she/he involved in community affairs?, attend city functions?, downtown festivities?, gives some money back as donations?, or to people in need/other social programs?
... is he approachable?, friendly?, talkative?
... touches bases with his own people?
... listens to his staff/supporters when they offer ideas and suggestions?
... is the promotional Web site/MySpace/BLOG/Videos working for both the promoter and the fans?, up-to-date?, a lot of hits/no hits?, user-friendly with perhaps a guestbook or a message board for the fans to "speak out and/or offer pro/con feedback?", does the promoter have contacts or email addys to continue the dialog during the week?, or is he just available on weekends only?
... does the promoter/agency give out free CDs, T-shirts, hats, free passes, or has raffles and giveaways at the dances?
... does he/she/the firm or agency keep up with current tejano music news and events?
... are the promoters demonstrating their own best talent in the BIZ?, and doing it professionally event after event?

I do know and have seen that once a promoter has established himself on solid ground and within a certain time and period, the people as loyal fans and supporters will continue to come to his events - that's why I used the term "continuity" - keep the events going and going, yet improving them dance after dance! Generally speaking, people and tejano fans alike come to a dance to have fun and dance! They want excitement, good times, being with friends, enjoying the music and groups, and meeting people. Give them a little of this and that!, and a lot of tejano music and they'll keep coming back again! - and again!

Allow me to add this and you heard about it exclusively on the TAB: About two years ago I got a phone call from Bob Gallarza about him coming over to play here in Phoenix and after talking with him about the gig and possible tour at the time, he gave me this suggestion that to this day I have not forgotten it. Bob suggested, "Well Mike, if you want I can also bring a rock group from the 70s and 80s to really make it one hell of a show!. I mean, I will bring my own tejano show to Phoenix, but since I have the connection and know these groups personally, I'll bring them along if you want! Besides Mike, our raza loves rock music too. Hell, us tejanos grew up with rock right along side with tejano music, right?!, so, why not have tejano music and also go back in time with a real good rock group?! Let me know." ... I loved the idea back then; I still do!

SECOND ANALYSIS ...

Continuing, I think Phoenix can again be a 'major hub for tejano music and dances' as it was before from what I've heard in talking with a few long-time residents. Others have posted on the TAB how it was in the 70s with Little Joe, Tortilla Factory, and so many others that used to play and past through here. Unforgettable years they tell me. About two weeks ago, BIG John and I got into almost this same conversation of local tejano promotions and dances.

I see the complete and whole situation as 'something missing' in all our promotions and from the standpoint of the promoters - and also playing a part in some promotions here locally - well, I simply call it, A Missing Element ... and that element is, "We are lacking the business end or factor in our local events" ... meaning, we might have the people and tejanos from Flagstaff to Tucson and right here in Phoenix too; we might have 5-6 local promoters that schedule events all year round, but to me, "We ... [AND NOT THE FANS] ... are lacking this vital business knowledge and concept to ensure 100% media coverage and just letting all the people know in time of our tejano events, AND also using the right sponsors towards our overall success."

Music Is A Business has been said many times before right here on this Web site and on the Tejano Awareness Board. To that end and seeing this in total perspective, let's consider bringing in this business agency, person or individuals to assist us or the promoters themselves to fully understand the complete picture of media marketing and business measures?! ... and on to hiring the right strategist and trendsetters with no ends and limitations to take us [promoters that is] to new levels! ... to me, this remains to be seen and understood by some promoters here in Phoenix.

From the standpoint of mainstream and pure American class-act entertainment, businesses and most promotional agencies in these music fields - [rock, country, R&B as examples only] - go to no ends to make their event and concert a total success! They set the event in motion months ahead and use all personnel to set the momentum in place. On a smaller scale, I imagine it's a non-stop package deal with so many variables for local tejano promoters with them putting out thousands of dollars from their own pocket and even before the first person steps into the dancehall! I do know that Martin, David, James, Peewee, and others have spent thousands of dollars on top of another thousand before the groups get into town and let me tell you they, "sweat and cross their fingers and just wait to see how many people are going to show up!" ... it's either a gain or a loss for the promoters.

I just don't think there is a in-between monetary factor here at all. One makes money on any tejano event, or you lose you butt off. Before we ended our conversation, I told John, "Wouldn't be nice if Martin got together with David and just made successful events for all the fans here?" ... "Wouldn't it be great if Mary Garcia and PeeWee got together and made extra efforts towards bringing better entertainment for you and me, and everybody else living here?" ... "Wouldn't it be great if 2-3-4 promoters just got together once-twice a year and threw a huge tejano Fan Fair event for all the valley residents?, you know, perhaps having it at the Fairgrounds or the Convention Center?, and have 2-3 days of nothing but tejano headliners playing there?, wow!!"

We came to the conclusion that, "Ahh no, that is not possible!!" Oh well, there goes the ballgame. GO D-BACKS!!

ANNOTATION: Clarification Of ... 'True Tejanos'

WARNING: The following viewpoint by TEJANOmike might be harmful to you and others reading this, and in both mind and theoretical post-reading. Discretion is hereby advised.

Before responding to all of you I wasn't sure if I had created this term, phrase, and name! I thought people had been using it on other sites and message boards; do correct me if possible or if I am wrong on this, but according to one of my trusted Admins, IT IS MINE! Truthfully I am somewhat perplexed that it has taken a different idiom of its own and different terminology than my first initial postings and conversations with so many people.

Let me start by saying this line of mine one more time: "We are so close as tejanos, yet so distant in the unification of our Onda.' At times I think this division, separatism that almost makes one feel like segregation, plus the non-harmony situation with so many different views, that I think La Onda is heading in a totally different direction. Therefore, perhaps this term of mine needs more explanation to some people that did not grasp the understanding and total complexity of the original message - and the accurate perception of TEJANOmike. I started using this term almost a year ago to demonstrate a viewpoint of who we are as tejanos and tejanas. In its simplicity the term can be further broken down into relational facts with respect to our overall music spectrum, our history and culture, and even in a tejano society by itself and independently.

True Tejanos has ABSOLUTELY nothing do with the clothes we wear, much less the location where you live, where you were born, and whether you like progressive conjuntos or groups or bands! ... or the fact you like R&B and rap and live in China for that matter. Again, absolutely nothing at all to do with clothes, trends, and locations.

To me only?, it is more like a "definitive interpretation" of what we stand for, who we are, what we believe in, our likes and dislikes, the 360-degree total circumference within our TEJANOlogy world of today - and beyond if possible! It could also be like a descriptive portrait of a family, a small business, a company, an organization, a country, a nationality, a team, an American for that matter! Another words, TEJANOS by association to anyone of these businesses or belonging to organized partnerships gives an individual a sense of pride that creates certain characterizations within our own environment and society.

What is a society you ask? … a. The totality of social relationships among human beings. b. A group of human beings broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture.

What is my message of "True Tejanos" then? ... My message is very simple and for the present no deviations, no fragmentations, and no disintegration is needed! We are a distinguished group of human beings! ... we do have mutual interests! ... we are participants in our institutions and organizations! ... and we also share a common culture; we call it Tejano Music! Sadly, what we are lacking in this modern world and more importantly is IDENTITY. We have no identity today or as we would like to be identified with corporate America. I would go further and even add that, 'this lack of visibility is hindering our process of advancement.'

As True Tejanos that we are and understand this declaration, let us then unite so that our tradition and influence can be felt in every major city across the United States, so that our strong voices can be heard in unison. I say again to those that hear this message loud and clear: "Let's advance forward and together with one vision, with one scope and solitary purpose. Let us challenge this new pathway and come together collectively carrying our banner and Texas flag proudly! It is this inborn pride and inherited tejano trait within us that makes us a constant and unyielding generation of tejanos. We must come together with an unstoppable alliance never seen before, and still tap away the obscuring shield that lies at the edge of the unknown. Let us begin."

TEJANOmike 06/21/2007