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 THREE:

Strategies For A New Onda

Using Connectivity To Work For Us

"It can be ascertained that our tejano music has a long history that originates, touches, relates to, and interlaces with so many different types of music buried deeply in the root of the chronological music tree. However, the REAL TEJANO MUSIC is unique, hard to emulate, and intensely difficult to play and even harder to perform in front of a live audience. Next time you go see Jay Perez or David Lee Garza don't dance for 5-10 minutes and just listen to the music. Listen to Jay sing and listen to the rest of the band; listen to music!! Ask yourself, "What is the drummer doing?, what is the bass playing?, and why do they sound so good when they all play together?"

Try being an ear-observant fan or musician that listens to the sound waves and vibrations all around you. Open up your mind to the true wonders of real music!! Are you listening to all the music arrangement that Jay Perez had in mind or intended for you listen to? How is David Lee Garza using pitch, rhythm, form, tone color, and dynamics to balance his originality and his known style? Try it the next time around and you might be surprise to hear what you've been missing all these years. 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!"

Truthfully speaking, that is why we love our mainstream tejano stars of today and yesteryear ... and WE are firm believers in the no-doubt-about-it thinking that Tejanos rule! Today, our tejano music is still not being heard in other cities and states through out the United States, and perhaps not even worldwide. This is indeed tragic and beyond belief on a grand scale in my logic! For one single moment in time, just think about how many tejano fans of our beautiful music are just waiting; waiting in other cities through out our country that do not hear our music, but they sigh for the good old days and want it back; think about how many Tejanos in Chicago, in Denver, in San Jose, in Phoenix, in the military, in Las Vegas, and even in some other states that do not see and hear Jay Perez, RAM, Little Joe, Ruben Ramos, or David Lee Garza play their live music!

Through your own visualization if you can, imagine the many faces of our gente in other parts of the world that have no access at all to our music media and technology. Think about the many Indie labels and Indie musicians dying to be heard, that have good talent, but yet undiscovered and perhaps no one to turn to. Think about the many singers, new artistry all around us, and music arrangers that are yet untapped, but have no organization to assist them or mentor leaders to set a music path for them ... and finally if I may, think about where we will guide our young minds and future generations if we don't have nothing established to stimulate them to success. A lot of work lies ahead for us all and if we don't take that first step and first goal to completion, or try not to envision what lies around the next bend, or worse: If we don't share and help one another to succeed to new levels in music in this new millennium, then we will indubitably stand still for years to come.

In summation, we do have the tejano masses to move the world and to become strong again; we have the INTERNET that we can use to talk and communicate our ideas and push our agendas forward; we have the groups and the fans all over this great country of ours, and even some supportive sponsors still with us! What we basically need is strong leaders, new marketing strategists, new management standards and concepts, financial support, radio/TV, airplay, and organizations to guide us in the right direction. Back in the 60s we had the Baldivia brothers and others doing all the promotional business ventures for us from coast to coast. Today, well, we better start looking real fast to push La Onda to new limits and beyond the present spectrum or we will become an endangered species.

So, let's start using this INTERNET INSTRUMENT and new media today to voice all our strategies and set new standards for all of us. From now on, today and tomorrow, next week and onto next year, and years to follow thereafter: Rise!, wake up!, ascend!, merge!, stand up!, rebel if we have to!, join your favorite tejano organization and be supportive 110%!, let's become one in numbers!, and please remember to ... Do Your Part To Help La Onda! ... and remember these three recommendations:

"Let us not forget that in this country the music business is a commercialized commodity; that we must do business with business. The importance of commerce is at hand and the trade of global tejano music is a must; new trends/beats/groups/organizations are much needed in our new industry, after all ... Our music IS our business! It’s a market-driven world we live in today, and people related. Give the people a good product, in our case our music, and they will buy it! Everything else that is needed for continued success will come next if not inevitably, or by the human intervention of the masses."

"Let us then revitalize the striving tejano artists and musicians from east to the west; let us bring about new music trends to La Onda fans and sponsors, and to marketing strategists on a worldwide scale; let's all support our present music organizations that want to reach beyond the heights and limits of their current standings. Together with one vision, with one scope and one solitary purpose, let us move forward in this new millennium pathway and come together in unity carrying our banner and our Texas flag proudly! Let us be constant and unyielding; tapping away at the obscuring shield that lies at the edge of the unknown."

"Today we have the Chente Barrera's, Invicto, Sueno, 8Bars Latin, AVIZO, F7, Fiel, Vida, Tina Y Los Gallitos, and so on as the new breed are coming out."

I guess initially what I was looking for or talking about was the need for better music arrangements, innovative progressions, new styles in tejano music, better melodic structures, and new concepts and ideas in reinventing the microtonal scales! I have heard some of the groups you listed, yes, but, well?!, I don't think they're playing to new degrees of cadence, or new sounds relational to consonance. People want more; tejano fans want a lot more!

When I go to Texas I like to talk to my gente just to find out things about our music. During some of my conversations with them, 6-7 out of 10 people will say something like this: "Well Mike, you like our tejano music a lot because you don't hear it in CA I guess. But, out here we're getting tired of hearing the same songs/groups over and over." We could say that that was just one frustrated fan and forget about it, but realistically, there's quiet a handful out there that share the same outlook.

So, where am I going with this? Well, I just think that we need:

1)   New ensembles in front! Let's try bringing in new sounds with other horns besides the saxophone and the trumpet.

2)   Bring that trombone back!

3)   We need to hear better intros that are awesome and catchy! Punchy with counterpoints!

4)   Redo or add more chord structures and pleasing new harmonics, improvisational inversions, and syncopations with tejano accents to new levels!! Pump it up another words!

5)   New synth strings and sounds!, like the Triton Extreme and others.

6)   Voices. More harmonizing, add thirds and fourths once in awhile; more backgrounds or different melodic patterns/layering.

7)   New beats, tempos, rhythms, something!! on cumbias! We all love cumbias I know that, but why not add more flavor or feeling to them? Conga techniques need to improve. Why not add a shaker, maracas, bongos, timbales, or invent a new bass drum pattern versus the 3-4 beat ... or use any of the above combinations just to improve the cumbia sound. Just as an example, I like to play cumbias with a Latin beat, mixed with a CA sound, just a little "salsa beat", but with a tejano heart! It sounds so good and different, but yet, it's still a tejano cumbia! ... we'll see if the people like it when my CD comes out.

8)   The accordion. It can still be used like the present, but why not improve it's brilliance by putting it through an effects medium? Not all night or in all the CD, rather on a few songs. Make it sound a little different is what I'm trying to say. BTW, the accordion player for Gary Hobbs is awesome; he plays on a very dynamic scale!! Nice and artistic!! I really like the way he plays.

9) One more suggestion, although I got more. Why not write new and dynamic music arrangements out of the cyclical norm of things? How about a transformation of the ranchera through new compositions with rich orchestrations? Why not change the 8 bar progressions to 16, 32? These new concepts can also be applied to cumbias, boleros, and on all the tejano beats we like.

In summary I guess, why not play balanced and polished music with expressive new colorful dimensions in order to attract new media ... the money media!? ... the big label addy!? ... the billboard standings!? ... more radio play!? ... bring in big time dinero!!. What we're doing and playing in our present day is great; don't get me wrong please, but we need to move to a higher calling and level in our music. We're standing still. We need to move the world. Simply speaking, why do you think we liked the Cowboy Cumbia so much? ... because it was new and different. Why did we love that cumbia by Ruben Vela, Coco Rayado or something like that? ... same thing, it was different! How come The Latin Breed and The Tortilla Factory stand alone? Because they changed our music and took it to the 9th level and the 12th of never!, that's why ... but again, we love them for what they did ... and they're unforgettable and destined to our tejano archives, yes sir! Why do the young generation of Latinos and us too, like the Cumbia Kings? ... because they broke barriers and sound different! Now, this doesn't mean ALL THE BANDS HAVE TO CHANGE TOMORROW. We do want to keep our standards, or some of the sounds and music we dearly love.

... but likewise, part of our tejano music needs to go somewhere else and transform, even if it's just a little or a lot, but it has to change in order to be successful on a global scale. I'll leave you with one thought: "If your group was strong in the past, it must become even stronger in order to survive and be more competitive." TEJANOmike 02/14/05

Wide Open Tejano Country! [ For Sale ]

In this day and age of modern technology and all the media available at our front door - practically! ... it appalls me that there is absolutely no "Music Control" of our tejano music. Nada! Nothing! It is up for grabs to the highest bidder folks! Who wants it? Take it all! Hell, even our South Of The Border and so call friends are taking some of the pie too!! Why not?, nobody is stopping them!

If we could, or if it was possible somehow go to a mountaintop and just look down at the whole tejano music industry and spectrum across the U.S. OF A., you would see "everybody going in circles, lost, and not really going anywhere." What I'm talking about is that if you compare our music industry with the major big boys from New York, LA, and Nashville, we would be like a blind person trying to find the light switch on a darkroom. Strong words I know, but the truth.

Motown has control over all their music businesses, and making $$$; the American pop and everything else thrown in their music arena have control, managed very well, and making lots of $$$; Nashville and country music?, same thing!, and making, well, tons and tons of money!! Actually, everybody is making money except us. Now, I'm talking about our music industry across the board, and not about tejano chapters and organizations doing their dances and so forth. All of that is good and another subject/posting on its own.

Who IS controlling our tejano music? Nobody, and yes all of us from Florida to California are losing more money each single day that it's unimaginable! No, incomprehensible to say the least! We're probably losing by the millions of dollars if not close to it. If some businessmen were to read this posting and create an organization to manage, govern, oversee, and really just take over the whole tejano music industry, they would become millionaires in due time. Motown did it. CNN did it. NAACP has done it. Cesar Chavez did it. Microsoft's Bill Gates did it ... MUSIC IS OUR BUSINESS ... and we could do it too. Why give away our thousands of dollars away to somebody else? ... how come we can't control it ourselves?...agree? No? Yes? Well, I think we need:

1) I still think we need a "New Alliance" with power, control, and to be managed by with the right people at the helm, from top to bottom. First, we must have meetings across the country with key figures with the hopes of finding the right candidates.

2) The first candidates will be chosen for president, vice-president, Board of Directors, Directors, and managers.

3) We would need to create the Headquarters for this new organization by choosing a major city in the United States.

4) After establishing a central headquarters, the United States would be divided into sections: the West Coast, Central, and the East Coast.

5) These three sections would be run by the Directors. The men in charge of these three major areas would then have to open up offices in every major city in their own areas. (Now, to me, an office can be a room, a house, in a garage, whatever it takes just to get started. In time, we will expand.

6) The offices in every major city within the West Coast, Central, and East Coast, would be run by managers and staff.

7) Managers report to the Directors and Directors to the corporate headquarters.

8) Directors and managers would also be able to "bring in other tejano groups and bands from other areas" ... to allow more bands to play in other places and states ... that is, bands from the East would play in the West and Central; West Coast groups would travel to the East and Central, etc.

9) The new organization would have it's own recording studios, it's own publishing company, and with offices and staff just to handle the copyrights and royalties, contracts; ties with ASCAP/BMI of course.

10) We would also buy/create/build a distributing company to handle the millions of CDs that would need to be shipped out to customers, to record stores, to DJs, to Online stores, to radio stations, to Kmart, to Wal-Mart, Best Buy, all over the world.

I just wanted to add that we would also need accountants, bookkeepers, company lawyers, marketing personnel, sponsors along the way, volunteers to get started, and of course one very important revenue and asset called: $$ MONEY $$.
Awards? Good question. We could work with the Tejano Academy or the TTMA as a thought, or better yet, have our own....and have them every two years, not yearly.

11) In time, we would buy back or create new tejano radio stations.

12) In time, we would have and operate our own TV stations.

13) In time, we would be up there with the major competitors of music.

14) In time, Tejanos would rule again and our Onda would fly it's banner proudly and in every state.

15) Then, and only then would we have total control of our tejano music industry.

16) All of these steps would take years to accomplish the final goal, to get it done, but it time and with the right people in place, it could be done.

17) Will it happen? It's entirely up to you and me. It's up to us. Nothing is easy, but doing nothing is even worse.

18) Name of the new organization? How about the National Tejano Music Alliance?

19) That's why I use these words at times: TAKE YOUR PASSION, AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

What would be the responsibilities of the managers and their staff: To find/hire/book/pay tejano bands within their localized areas/cities! Directors would oversee the total operations of the West/Central/East sections. The president and staff ensures all tejano music agendas and criteria are met, including money to be allocated to The Tejano Musicians Foundation, (or create something like, Assistance To Families Program.

Let me add that this new organization would serve a totally different purpose altogether for the tejano music industry. We still need the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame because they stand alone with their mission to acknowledge and award our tejano legends. I also commend them highly and have stated this over the years. I think we still need the Tejano Academy and for what they stand for. The TTMA, well, again they have their own Awards show though they have changed dramatically over time.

Now, who would benefit from this new and single organization? ALL of us would, all of us as Tejanos. TEJANOmike May 11, 2005

We're Breaking And Falling Apart!

If you really think about it, we're in a world of hurt! I mean, we got a monumental task ahead and an uphill battle with the likes of a Mount Everest mountain to climb ... and with no gear at all, and no Commanders in sight! Initiating a plan of action in management and from the company that I retired from wasn't hard at all. I simply drew up the whole idea on paper; suggested the idea to my employees; setup meetings to discuss the plans; then went up the ladder from supervisors to the company Director and got charts to deliver the presentation on my plan. After approvals and budget allocations and other things, the plan was put into action with the proper workers/employees ... and finally the project was given a 30-60 day trial with the emphasis on reporting back to upper management on the outcome of the trial period, and with what results, percentages, costs, pros/cons, etc. I mean, one could see the results from a well thought-out plan and finally into action where all the department would benefit from the new idea. It took months to complete at times, but it was nice to see results, and to help the company.

I wake up at times thinking about our Onda and how it could also use an overhaul from top to bottom, from east to the west! But I also see that the work and basic plans needed would take a Hercules and a Superman combined to save our little world of music. Jokingly and in a funny way, I wish I could go to the highest peak on our country, tap on the microphone and then say: 'Testing, testing, testing 1-2-3' ... okay Tejanos and Tejanas, listen to me ... we got a lot of work to do, so listen up! ... but then I tell myself, ah, that won't work!

I started playing music with my dad at age 8 in Austin TX. Around 13-14 years of age, the three of us, my dad, my brother Chris and me, were playing/recording/touring with Manual Donley Y Las Estrellas through out Texas. When we used to get dropped off at home in the early morning hours, my dad would always ask, "Son, are you hungry? Let's go eat." I used to be so tired, but I would go just for him because I knew he always ate on the road. We would sit down to eat in downtown Austin and he would bring up topics to talk about all the time. But one that remember most was his line that said, "Mi hijo, you are going to be a musician some day and I want you to remember one thing. Nuestra gente, our people, are very hard to please in music, I mean, they want this and they want that. No matter what we do some times son, la gente are never pleased."

At times he would go further and would add, "Well, what I mean son, is that they ask for songs and if we don't know them they get all mad!, and if I suggest another one, they don't like it either. So son, learn your music well, understand your gente and what they want."

' ... there was some truth to that I guess' ... that the last line stayed with me forever. To this day, I am still trying to understand my Tejanos and what they want. Still trying to come up with a plan to assist our music industry. The Tejanos United INC. idea and the whole concept is also relational to my dad's words from years ago. But I don't give up at all, just asking for a few good people to stand by me and to do a presentation to the personnel that want to hear our ideas and concepts. The road ahead is very rough and bumpy, we have no financial resources of any kind, we have no company to back us up. Even though my email bag is full at times, even though I talk to people from Washington state to Kansas, to people in Maryland and Chicago via the phone, nobody really wants to get involve with solutions to assist our Onda.

What will it take then? ... UNITY IN THE MASSES?, TEJANOS AS ONE?!, perhaps a tejano movement? ... and a plan of action with a slogan that will be unstoppable? ...should we agree on general principles that we do want a change for the better? ...shall we put differences aside for the cause of advancement? ... break barriers that stop us from gaining ground and clout? ... to bring about new music and to UNITE for one cause is the answer ... and to do it all for our tejano music. TEJANOmike 2005

New Thinking Needed Today! ... & Until 2051

It's already February and time to get to work on our issues at hand, i.e., what to do about our music and perhaps set a timetable as well. First, I am looking for ten good people that would like to express or suggest their own agendas here on this message board; and offer their own ideas/interpretations as to what is needed to move the new Onda in the right direction. This shouldn't be too hard on the participants because we as fans and musicians ALREADY KNOW what's missing in the puzzle. Truthfully and sadly, we're just not doing anything about it! Day in and day out we see the same thing going on around us and expect others to solve all our tejano music problems. That day will never come gente! WE have to do it ourselves and with the people we all know in our daily lives, in the business sector, and who we see and talk to every single day. After we have all our ideas on the round table, then we will put forth a tejano music agenda for all of us work on; or to present it to The Tejano Academy, to the Tejano Roots, to The Tejano Music Awards ... or to other important organizations that cares about all our concerns. If not, we can still "share this information" with other interest groups or it could also be used as a presentation to sponsors ... or as needed along the path to the future.

It doesn't take a miracle or a nuclear engineer with ten MIT degrees and nobility to solve this. It's going to take all of us as a unified coalition, and people just like you and me to set start-up talks and planning. It takes communication BIG-TIME! ... and it's going to take the right people from day one ... people that really care and gente that want to move the world an inch a day, but yet have realistic dreams within reach. The president last night on his State Of The Union speech outlined certain measures for our Social Security ... and stated how things are going to be in the year 2014, 2027, and even as far as 2047 I believe. My point? It' going to take long planning Tejanos and Tejanas! Long strategic goals and long-over-due-overhauling measures to get to the final destiny. Will we see it soon?, no. Will we see it in our lifetime? ... perhaps but not conclusive. Will our kids and grandkids see it?, yes!

Tony "HAM" asked all of us, "What has happen to our Arts?", and nobody responded on the TAB. I'll tell you why: Because we don't have nothing!

We all get up every morning and generally speaking turn on the news or the read the newspapers, coffee and all. But did you see any tejano news on TV?, any TV morning programs on tejano music?, any front page articles on the newspaper about our issues or the latest entertainment news on our groups? Have you ever seen magazines, pamphlets, books, tejano articles anywhere? Any tejano music videos anywhere around the country? Any TV tejano talk shows? Any morning or evening tejano radio programs discussing our forums? Did CNN or FOX report anything on us this morning? Last week? Last month? No, no, no, and virtually nonexistent. Nada! The answers to all the questions ladies and gentlemen is a big fat and analytically NO! We really don't have any media exposure and radio/TV coverage, sponsors, or true representation whatsoever or of any significance. This lack of visibility and our voices not being heard across this great country is hindering our process of advancement. That is a fact!

What DO WE HAVE THEN? Oh, we have a lot! We just don't know it!! We have our beautiful and unique music, a superb and talented pool of artists and musicians, and probably an immense fan base that is perhaps unimaginable. We also have a few tejano organizations out there on their own, but independent of each other. Internet e-Radio is here, yes it is! And if you want to include the "Hispanic/Latino" media, well then we have excellent lawyers, political influences, and even good educators in colleges and universities. Yes, you could say we have it all folks, but the "community fusion" between Tejanos and others across the fence is just not there! But this is another problem we have among ourselves; let's just stick with our tejano music industry for now.

My Own Vision:

For the present all of us live in a pivotal era of change and depending on the age factor, you will witness the following:

If you are middle age person and give and take a few years, you will see changes in our tejano movement unfold.
If you are a young individual or in your early teens, you will witness and hear our tejano music move to a new dimension.
People at my age of 101, well, we should be proud citizens that we all laid a cornerstone to change our music for the better.

And so it will be. Conversely, words have been spoken and hundreds of postings have gone up during the last three years on the TAB. Some were good, some were memorable, some excellent, some were bad, some made us cry, some brought us joy and laughter, some made us stronger, certain ones changed our logic and thinking, and some caused us to commit ourselves to help our Onda. Yet in the end through the veil of darkness and with so many differences set aside, we turn right back and share what we all have in common: Our tejano heritage and our tejano music!

On that issue and with a winning royal flush, we embark together and in unity to gather strength not only in numbers, but in the pursuit to change our own destiny. We live in far away places and distant from one another, but it is time to come together as ONE:

First, What Is Our Mission For Our New Onda? Mine is, "To revitalize the striving tejano artist and musicians; to bring about new music trends to La Onda fans and sponsors; and to support tejano music organizations that want to reach beyond the heights and limits of our current standings. Together with one vision, with one scope and one solitary purpose, let us come together in unity carrying our banner and our Texas flag proudly; let us be constant and unyielding; and tapping away at the obscuring shield that lies at the edge of the unknown."

Representation. We must have reps, agents, delegates, strategists, and spokesmen and whatever title we want to give them on key and selective states across the country. They don't need to have offices with ten computers and secretaries!; just as long as they represent the tejano music industry.

Communication. What I mean about this important factor is why not increase your addy book with new clients? Send an email to that tejano friend you haven't spoken to in awhile. If you know certain individuals or friends interested in helping our cause, tell them about tejano associations or Web sites. Sometimes that personal touch and voice has a better impact than emails; if possible, do share that information with others in your group.

TV & Radio. Here lies the battleground. We need TV and media coverage and we need it badly. I think TV is more important to us presently than radio, but that is my opinion. Radio however is making a comeback at a good steady rate and I am sure we will have our FM stations in due time. Do consider the following:

Connectivity & The Internet. These two also play a huge relational role with representation and are equally important. You can't have one without the other right?

Interaction & Organizations. Present organizations with their different principles and mission statements MUST interrelate and have mutual relationships in some way. They have to do this in order to help the new Onda succeed. The three present organizations must expand to other states and especially the Tejano Academy and the new, "National Tejano Music Alliance" ... announced in Las Vegas this month.

Consider These Also:

Let Us Concentrate On Tejano Concerts And Tours ... and on a grand scale! Doing dances here and there and everywhere is acceptable don't get me wrong! ... but, if Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Alan Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and others have concerts in major arenas through out the United Stares?, how come we can't do that?

Educate Our Young Generation. Our young people today are in desperate need of a good education, mentors, music teachers, professors, and to learn more about our tejano history. It is good that some tejano music education is taking place in San Antonio already, but others from around the nation are in need of it too - and equally deserving.

Get Involved! Voice your opinion by joining an organization of your choice; then take the proper measures, initiatives, proposals, and action to improve la Onda Tejana on all fronts and spectrum.

Forums And Meetings. Finally, and to initiate this concept off ground zero?, well, we must have all our tejano agendas brought to our people and to all major cities. We must start this campaign into action and movement, and the right consortium for our future.

Why do all of this you ask?, because without an organization or a new unified movement and campaign, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN.

In closing, our president also said last night that the restoration of Europe after the World Wars took time to rebuild, but in the end it was done. Other time periods come to mind too like Korea, Vietnam, and now Iraq and Afghanistan. The last two countries will take decades to rebuild their country and provide for its people - but some day what we did there will bring forth much generosity to these people and the Middle East; it will be done in time. Think the same ideology about our Onda. It will take time to rebuild it, but do not give up so easily, do not despair, because some day and in years to come, it will come back to its glory, and stronger that ever. Build your organization from the foundation of our forefathers, or from a local tejano chapter with the spirits of our legends, and do it all without looking back. Rather, open the door to the future. Post your ideas my good friends. Put on your thinking hat and join in. TEJANOmike 02/22/05

Where Do We Go From Here?

... and, "What's left that hasn't already been thought of?" I think we have many directional music avenues to choose from, but we must choose the right one along with all the relational factors involved. We stand today in the midst of an inevitable change and on the threshold of new ideas and technology that is hard to understand ... and much less for us to follow the leader. On one of my Web pages I state:

"Well, think about it! Music, and in particular our tejano music IS changing to a new dimension from what was originally, 'La Onda Chicana, La Onda Tejana, La Onda', and on to the present day radio station hits we hear today. Tejano music is also a 'messy, complex business' that cannot be understood by both young and old in the same playing field together. If you add the battle between the Indie record artists/labels against the galactic big boys from LA, NY, and Nashville, the boxing ring gets a little bit more crowded folks!"

And why is that? There is only one answer: Our tejano music is changing. If we go way back to the history of music for example, from the Gothic years of 1100 to the present, music changes have occurred in the following consecutive years:

Gothic: 1100 to 1450, a difference of 350 years
Renaissance: 1450 to 1600, a difference of 150 years
Baroque: 1600 to 1750, another 150 years of change
Rococo: 1725 to 1765, a short change of 40 years
Classical: 1750 to 1825, a change of a 75 year gap
Romantic: 1825 to 1900, a transformation of 75 years
Impressionism: 1890 to 1920, a mere 30 year change
Modern: 1900 to the present, (music changes more hastily)

Our modern tejano music falls in the Modern Times category as most of us know it today. There is plenty of room here to discuss our heritage and roots, but let’s move on with my message for the present. My point is simply this: Today, there is so much talk about the fact that 'our music is changing and dying', yet most people can’t comprehend 'why' it's changing and to what degree or direction. We want to go back where we were or keep the sounds of today for the present, but yet we are unwilling to accept the realistic paradigm and factoid that we are in the center of a tejano transformation. It’s here already and we can’t cope with it and/or refuse to let go of our past and present artists - and even unwilling to see what is across that hill ... maybe we are just afraid of this monumental tidal wave heading our way.

Our FM stations are disappearing overnight, our gente are perplexed and filled with uncertainty, we have no leaders up front guiding us, promoters are non-existent, and our way of living seems confusing at times. Listen to the tejano music of today and it’s nothing compared to say 10-20-30 years ago! We don’t have the Latin Breed sounds anymore; nobody plays the jazzy rancheras and boleros of the 70s and 80s; the beautiful saxophone sounds of Beto Villa and Isidro Lopez! - we miss them yes we do!, but they are just gone. But, we do have the new dimensions of Jimmy Gonzalez, David Lee Garza, and the spark of Jay Perez and RAM! … and let’s add the many other groups with us today doing and playing their own ideas and arrangements from all four corners of Texas. Other states and big cities have numerous and super great groups too, but they're totally ignored most of the time. Present generations like these new sounds and including the Lonely Boys, the Kumbia Kings beat, but the generation gap of the 1900s is closing in on us, and the new “X-gEN” is about to begin! … and that’s why there is so much confusion today between the elder Tejanos, the middle age Tejanos, and the young Tejanos living today.

I sense this change among us because our present state and frame of mind is uncertain. Uncertainty creates a difference factor among us that we wonder what is wrong. Let’s look forward to changes because we will never know what the differences heading our way might bring … and who knows?, we might like it 10-20-30 years from now! So, let's ask ourselves again, "Where can tejano music go from here?, and what's left that hasn't already been thought of?" Thank you so much. TEJANOmike 11/14/06

TAB Responses By TEJANOmike:

Just for the sake of a small argument, and adding fuel to my statements about groups doing better recordings, I wanted to say this. Well, actually the idea just came about from Gilbert's posting about the lyrics to Hoja Seca. We all know that 'boleros' are extinct just like my old cowboy boots I bought in 1942, but if only bands and groups would just 'write good music arrangements' perhaps boleros could make a comeback. Wouldn't you like to hear one or two on any given Tejano night? There is another world out there besides rancheras, cumbias, and baladas ... ah yes we do country too, but there's not too many good clones of Alan Jackson or Shania Twain that we presently have.

Wishful thinking: If, for example, [and we know Jay Perez doesn't do boleros], but, if he were to record this bolero with an arrangement from Jerry De La Rosa, it would sound fantastic! The song could start with just Jay singing the minor part with violins and synths, nice strings on the background, acoustic guitar perhaps? ... built it up leading up to the major modulation and then adding some retardando to slow the tempo a little ... then the rhythm section would come in with Jay on the first verse and continue on.

Now, why not add a conga, maracas, bongos, drums of course, timbales, let's add a shaker in there too. Another words, use a good Latin rhythm section versus a 'tejano accompaniment' ... add some horns on the second verse, last verse, and ending ... work with the synth strings a little, use the violins moderately and on the bridge ... an excellent bass player and guitar is a must! ... a keyboard musician with finesse is required! ... execute the ending with the masterful refinement of the arranger's pen by skillfully using all the instruments to a dynamic ending. OMG, I bet if would sound simply beautiful. Now, that would be a real good bolero to dance to!

... okay, stop this illogical thinking TJ! Well, I stand by my own comments and statements that we need to redefine our concepts in tejano music theory and record new arrangements from our brilliant young writers of today ... and put out new CDs with dynamistic artistry never heard before. Yes we can!, or shall we re-record, "Por Una Mujer Casada", one more time? Hello. TEJANOmike

When is CD demo ... a real good demo?!

I get demo CDs from a lot of new and young artists that want to get started in our music world. They send them also for evaluation and feedback, and some ask for their sound clips to be added to, "The Music Source", on my Web site ... but, to my disappointment and perhaps others that are involved in the music industry, some are pretty bad. I mean, by looking at the CD insert, pictures on the covers, one would think this aspiring artist is going to be great! ... you put the CD on, and then it happens again and again, the CD quality and the mix are simply not up to par and fails in professionalism. Okay, it's a demo only you say, but rule #1 that one has to learn in this crazy business is, 'you must put out the best CD your money can buy and/or produce - or don't put it out at all!

On any demo it's best to hire a professional producer or sound engineer to listen to your demo first, and before mass production and marketing; it's called post-production. Why spend so much money on the CD's insert, yet your final mix falls short of standardization and quality? Another thing they say in this business is, 'you got 10 to 30 seconds' of the agent's attention and you must capitalize on that. If your demo CD starts bad on the first song, what makes you think he is going to listen to the rest of the CD?

Another thing. Take your time doing these music projects and it will pay you back a hundredfold. If possible, hire the best group or band, and even studio musicians to back you up. Hiring your best friend's garage band down Loco Street to save money will not work either. Don't!

The last recommendation to these real young singers is, practice and practice. and more practice on those vocal lessons. Recording 'live' in a studio is totally different than singing at the Watermelon Festival or the Kukaracho Eating Contest on April 1st!! Know your range and pitch, and the song selection is of out most importance too, if not the real issue here. The supporters, which are family members most of the time, must also try to understand some music or have good ear training ... something!

Do your homework, study hard, practice day after day to do your demo, but also get the professionals to assist you in the final outcome ... you will hear the difference ... and so will your record representative and music promoters. Good luck to all of you, TEJANOmike

SOME Groups Going Way Too Far!! ... ( I said some, not all of them. )

This topic is real simple, well, it used to be. Years ago, any traveling band or group used to carry its own equipment from gig to gig. And that included the whole complete PA system along with all the instruments in a trailer, and the musicians in a station wagon ... or 2-3 cars. Later on, the big boys were buying buses and most of the time still carrying and setting up their own equipment on tours. To this day and as a one-time musician, I wonder who started touring with the concept of ... 'just walking into a place, going on stage, doing the show, collect the dinero, and then leave' ...

Nowadays of course, this is a common request from some of our own tejano bands and the top 10-15 groups we presently have. I know because I see them coming and going here in Phoenix and whenever we go to see the tejano headliners in Tucson. But, in my opinion only, I think it's great for Shania Twain and others in mainstream American music, but to the local promoter in our world it does present a 'money factor' that is questionable. In a comparison ratio and just to make my point, there's a very popular reggae artist that plays around the country and a few world tours ... and he has on his Web site a, "Promoter's Toolkit" ... and in this PDF, he has a drawing of how he wants his stage settings, where he wants all the instruments, and even lighting effects. Looking at the list myself, he then proceeds to list all the, "instruments he wants on stage, and that includes specific brands in amps as well certain keyboard synths, I mean, he has his whole tour package complete."

... if that's not enough, the reggae artist then has his own listing of wireless mics he wants along with a DAT recorder and/or a CD recorder WITH BLANK CDRs!! Chingow!! Damn Sam!! This is his Promoter's Toolkit. They either do this for him and his show, or he might not show up, who knows!

I used that comparison to the one that follows. There's a real good promoter here in AZ that wanted to bring a tejano group next year for some shows. He told me last night that they wanted around $7-8K for the engagement, a few selected choice brand instruments, a complete PA system with effects, rooms, meals, and about 7 round trip flight tickets to get here and back home. The final tally, well, that should bring it to around $10,000 my friend! Doesn't this sound like the reggae artist? Now, my only argument is just against this 'particular group' that requested so much when their standings and ranking are not even up there with the pros of tejano bands. I wouldn't even argue with them if it was somebody like Jay Perez or a few other ones that are just below him ... I just think some groups are going way too far on the Promoter's Toolkit. Today, most touring bands do this because there's always a DJ or another band opening for them ... then the 'main headliner' uses their equipment, and that's fine with me, but their sound does vary in degree of a good show, a mediocre show, and at times, a tremendous good show. I have seen and heard the Latin Breed with different sound systems and they sound different in every show ... case in point, if they had 'their own PA system and sound engineer', then we would hear the real Latin Breed!

A lot can be said here or added to be argumentative, or set the record straight for that matter, but that's the touring life. Other promoters here are saying to themselves that, 'tejano bands' are getting used to the good and fast 'casino money', and now are charging more because of that! Hells bells, let's leave that alone for another posting some day.

A COUNTERPOINT RESPONSE:

Okay, back to basics. If present-day-top-of-the-line-tejano-Grammy-winners are touring, playing, and making/collecting all that good money I wish I had, well, more power to them! And they deserve to be treated as stars, acknowledge their demands for this 'n that on the stage, and all the other extras too. They earned it. They worked hard at it. And they made it all the way to the top of the tejano world; and the dreams of so many bands. Come Monday morning, all the promoters will go to the bank very happy and smiling, and the fans got their money's worth.

But this cannot be a 'standard' for everybody, and that is my only argument and viewpoint - that's it. Meeting half way like JV said is credible, re-structuring like Juan Sifuentes Jr. said is also an addressable issue big time. Not having a suitable and big venue to hold at least 1000, and $30 to $50 paying tejano fans can also be a headache here in Phoenix! True.

So what does this all mean now? Does it mean we got problems in promotions and marketing?, problems in our music industry because of airplay and FM stations? Issues of importance with respect to fans and venues? BIG TIME money situations with some group's 'toolkit' and their demands? Damn Sam, welcome to La Onda Tejana! Because our industry today, this very minute, looks like 'Katrina and Rita' just passed through again. La Onda is another New Orleans from the air because 'things are not done right', or with the same mentality and forwardness of our counterpart: The American music scene - and from both profitability and collectively standpoints. Now, really think about what I just said in this paragraph before yelling in my ear. Think.

This posting is just one issue we need to address in our Onda, but not the main one ... which is uniting our gente. Then, and only then will we make some progress in total spectrum, and in the right direction.

Lamar23?, I hear you! I remember those years. I can still remember back in 1950 or so, my tio loading that upright bass of his all the way to the back of the car! ... and where I was sitting!!, no hombre!! ... LOL!! TEJANOmike

"So, You Want To Be A Tejano Musician?"

"To succeed and make it to the top of the charts is just about every musician's dream; to hear our music being played on the radio is a blessing; to entertain people is so rewarding, and fun too; to be on the bandstand and looking at all those fans enjoying and dancing to our music.....is a gift. That is so true. How we use this immense and overwhelming attribute from the Divine Creator is how we determine our destiny as musicians, and how far we want to go! Like all gifts in life, it's how we use it and put it into good use that stems ideas, original songs, and new music arrangements that become so memorable in our society, and immortal in the museums and archives of tejano music."

I used to have that in my previous Website and link called, "A Music Gallery", where I talked about music and other relational issues. It's basically a message from me to other musicians that love and appreciate music to a higher degree and are either mentors and professionals in their respective fields - and maybe just inspire some young minds in our music world. After having this message board for about 8-9 months now, gives me the impression that, "music means other things to so many people out there", that perhaps all of this could be either a negative or positive paradigm (standards) to the starting tejano musician!

The question here is simply: "How does a young aspiring musician that wants to learn and play tejano music start in our present society?" It's almost like a reporter's story as to Who, What, When, Why, and Where!! Well, the answers are few, if non-existent. There is nowhere to go; you are on your own. Sad. So sad that it's not funny at all. And we wonder illogically from message board to message board why are music is dying? Where do you think "tejano music comes from?" ... where are the replacements? ... are the replacements the groups we hear today?

I can pretty much ascertain that tejano musicians from yesteryear and a long time ago ... which are the musicians we had in the past/musicians from the last 20 years, and the true masters of tejano music ... probably learned music from their own families; past down from generation to generation. They were probably taught by their own fathers, brothers, and the percentages are high that they also learned from other musicians and friends. A small number of them might of gone to music schools and/or even universities where they went on to do great things in their own music life. Growing up I met and even got music lessons from some of these "smart kids" as we used to call them back then. But I guess whatever method we all learned from in the past, one thing for sure was that music was past on professionally and intellectually, and taken: VERY SERIOUSLY.

What would I tell the young tejano musician in grammar, middle school, or high school how to get started? Hmmm?, good question kid. Well, depending on his background and generally speaking here, I would tell him/her to advance from the basics of music theory by accessing all the music avenues he can get his hands on. You see, in our culture and music world, we all learn from one another first, and then we learn from our educational system, and onto college or a university. Music classes are always offered on most curriculums. Secondly, learn by seeing the pros play. After learning music theory/history of music/music appreciation/more lessons/hours of practice/more practicing, I would recommend listening and seeing the tejano pros at dances and at concerts! Meet them if you can. Ask questions. Of course, practice and play along with records and CDs; believe me, this old rule does work!

All these things could be an asset to the young tejano musician. And again just talking the basics here, I would tell him to create his own musicianship and talent. We could ask 1000 writers or composers to rewrite, "Por Una Mujer Casada", and they will all write it differently. Same thing with playing your favorite instrument, "do create your own style and technique that nobody else has." Lastly, join your favorite group and just play music over and over, and more practicing until one day in your life you will tell yourself, "I think I got it now!" ... then practice some more! I better add this before I get hate emails and that is, a few of the world's greatest musicians and artists did not know how to read or write a single note, yet they succeeded?; True.

What would you say to this? The truth is we need excellent musicians, singers, and songwriters in our tejano music industry and practically nothing is being done to educate them. Dora has mentioned this in her own postings - and on the importance of educating the young minds ... HAM has also said in his own words about the caliber and talent of musicians that is missing in today's airwaves. All in all, it must be hard today to join the ranks of today's super tejano artists we have today, and to bring about the "new tejano musicians" that are badly needed. I think in the end, we will have them and even prosper ... I'm just trying to make their music path and uphill battle just a little easier, that's all. TEJANOmike

Last time I heard it was still called, "TEJANO MUSIC"

All of us as musicians, retired or not and to the present database of young musicians, our producers and band managers, must remember one thing ... "A lot can be done with tejano music and in a category all by itself" ... don't think of tejano music as rancheras and cumbias only. With the right imaginative tejano music arrangers and composers, and along side great songwriters, Tejano music CAN EXPAND to other rhythms and beats, different bar progressions and melodic chord structures, to additional or combination of groups with bands, conjuntos with added instruments, bands with different horns! It takes ideas on top of ideas, to escaping the norm of standard Tejano music ... but yet keeping it tejano ... it can be done!... and still keep our stars of today and tomorrow.

The endless capacity of the human brain and music imagination extend to the ends of the universe and not just on our homely Earth. We must think and rethink our present Tejano music in order come up with new arrangements. From our message board, Leticia said we needed a boost, damn right we do! Coffy stated let's enjoy all genres, 'but you know what you really like and that's Tejano music.' Mi Amigo Pete gave us a list of upcoming and new groups that are raising dust through out Texas, and well, that's good, but we need more than that! Music ideas my good friends, plus taking our Tejano music to the next level, is super, as long as we maintain the heartbeat and soul of our music!!

We can agree that there's nothing like it in the world ... Our style of music. It can be played correctly with the right personnel playing their instruments from years and years of experience; it cannot be duplicated by others that do not have the Tejano heart ... it's been proven that they fail time after time, CD after CD!

Therefore, do what you can to help our Onda in all extremes. Whether you are a fan or a top-notch musician, or a garage band about to release your first CD ... we all must follow the course of change, to walk the path of uncertainty, and I urge all of you to unite and fight for our Texas flag, for our music integrity that we have earned through generations of pure and proud Tejano blood. It's call Tejano Music gente! Any other name you want to insert in here will not stand. We have come a long way from the early 1900's to 2006, and we're not about to make a U-turn or quit. Our respected legends that we love so dearly, plus the ones that did so much for our cause, are still among us. Others have passed away, but surely not forgotten. Yet, and retrospectively, I think they would of wanted us to move our Tejano world to the next dimension. TEJANOmike 03/21/05

Major Changes Needed In Our Tejano Music Industry

May 2K4: I just got back from Texas after being there last weekend for a “Tejano Star Search” event. There have been other such events, but this one was my first one. After giving out some awards to contestants and meeting musicians and radio personalities, I decided to “walk around” to get the opinion of some tejanos from that part of northern Texas. I even went to Amarillo, Sweetwater, and as far as Dallas.

To my surprise, their concerns about our Tejano music industry were so similar to the ones I read on the Tejano Journal and the new Tejanolive; and these comments were also in parallel with the ones from San Antonio and Austin while visiting there last year. Some comments, both pro and con, were also in contrast to the ones from California while living there for more than 40 years! As tejanos we all seem to have the same characterization of our needs and wants. For instance, we all seem to want the same thing from our Tejano music, and from each other as musicians, fans, radio commentators, and even the wedding DJs … we do seem to be “one happy family of tejanos” … with only minor differences that separate us all. The many discussions and views on the new introversive/extroverted Internet medium also brings us closer to each other in so many different ways - and perhaps more than we think! But, on the way back home to Phoenix Arizona it occurred to me that perhaps what is needed is this:

A single affiliation or governing organization to oversee all the aspects of the Tejano music industry ...

Or something like this ...

Let me explain this further ... You see, we have Tejano organizations and associations from California and all the way to Florida. Some even bring Tejano mainstream headliners to their events and dances 2-3 times a year while others make so called Tejano Conventions in Las Vegas. The list goes on and on and may I add, it is quite extensive. But in my opinion, I see one major flaw with a catastrophic predicament destine to fail and that is: Despite the long list of these Tejano organizations or associations (whatever you want to call them), they are not “affiliated or have any organizational ties with each other.” They are totally independent of each other, and NOT HELPING EACH OTHER IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.

There are presently a few important associations that I want to name just to make my point. There is The Tejano Music Awards organization, The Tejano Academy, and the new Mexican American Music Association. There are others of course, but let’s use these three for the sake of simplicity and transitional form. Now, all three agencies are independent of each other but realistically and in the essence of something to a fair degree, were created with one thing in mind: To recognize and promote our Tejano music. But the problem here is that all three do not work cohesively together, get along, or even want to co-exist with the importance of the real issues that are present in our world today – and just possibly creating the downfall of our Tejano music industry.

All three “are doing something” to achieve their own respective goals, principles, policies, and their own guidelines. But in the end, they all come out short of achieving any creditability that is measurable in the eyes of major record labels, sponsors, and not too impressive to the radio/media high profile personnel and management. Isn't this where the money is? Basically, we’re not moving forward together is the best way I can put it, or sharing the same platform mandates. What we need is ONE single committee or association to “oversee” all the Tejano music industry; one single board of directors to watch over and direct, to supervise, and to govern all of us either directly or indirectly, but yet still conform within the rules and guidelines of such an agency. Our own government is based on this. The mayors of our small and big cities respond and are obligated to the governor; the governors are under the president; and even our own president is below the laws of our Supreme Court and Constitution.

Let’s take a look at Country Music as an example:

The country music spectrum is very much aligned in its own diversified musicology genres and fields.

They have Nashville as their hub, nuclei center, and the heart of their music industry.

All the main songwriters, producers, promotional/marketing agencies, and the record labels are right there and ready for action!

They have 2-4 awards shows yearly to recognize their country stars on a global scale.

Their FM radio stations are spinning those CDs like never before and making “muncho dinero!!”

Their marketing strategies are all into play, but with one main goal: To deliver and promote country music!!

They are united within their own organizational structural tree, policies, and principles.

Bottom line, "everybody wins, and they do have a strong domination through out the country."

The TTMA, The Tejano Academy, and the Mexican American Music Association, will not achieve 100% success or much less help the Tejano music industry as a whole if all three are not aligned with one governing body or an association to oversee/control/direct them. With each Tejano organization from all over the country “joining” the main agency, then all of us would succeed together and Tejano music would become prosperous again. We need to do this to look forward and beyond the new millennium in order for our tejano music to dominate globally. We do have talented and educated people in the Hispanic sector all over this country that could make up this new organization. How many people, companies, and worldwide organizations come to mind that have succeeded in such a manner?:

CNN, MOTOWN, IBM, HP, FOX, ASCAP, BMI, NAACP, THE CESAR CHAVEZ MOVEMENT, MARTIN LUTHER KING, BILL GATES, STEVE JOBS, THE HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT, NASA, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AMERICAN IDOL, ... just to name a few!!

In addition and simply stating the true facts, do consider the holistic damage done by UNIVISION, TELEMUNDO, and GALAVISION to our proud culture and our Tejano music industry. The total numbers, the dollar figures, and the many people affected by this "migration and music invasion" are simply unimaginable, mind-boggling, unsupportable, staggering, and appalling! We have even lost our own sponsors too! Adding to what has already been said by Tony "HAM" Guerrero and others, yes, there are many of you out there that could become leaders of this new cabinet. Questions do arise of course:

What shall we call it?
Who will manage it?
Where will it be based?
What will the fees be to join the new Tejano governing organization?
What will its principles, rules, policies, and guidelines be?
Will all the Tejano members and associations be able to vote on new members of the cabinet?
How long will the cabinet member’s term be?
Will there be a yearly convention for all the board of directors or presidents of Tejano organizations to attend?
Should we create our own record labels, indie tejano groups, and publishing company/rights?
Who is going to be our promotional and marketing representatives?

One more thing, but an important one: Tejano music has to be reclassified. Reclassified for what it really is, and for whom it stands for. Our tejano music CDs do not belong mixed up with Norteno and Mexican music/CDs at some stores like Wal-Mart, Kmart, Best Buy, and even at some record stores. Tejano music must have its own identity and culture; we are Tejanos and Americans and must be recognized by the world music industry per se. In closing, unless we “unite as one” all the Tejano organizations of the world will not save our music industry. Rather, it will die a very slow death and leaving only memories to live on. Let’s bring about brainstorming ideas all the way from the east to the west, and from the north to the south!! Let us move forward to reclaim what is rightfully ours, and that is: Our American and Tejano values and culture, our proud Tejano music that must come back to solid ground, and for all of us to live and enjoy our rights and liberties to the fullest. We have already lost a lot of precious ground and time, but we must become unified as one world of tejanos or we will surely fail. TEJANOmike 05/12/04

THE CONTROVERSIAL GENERATIONS - [ Silent, Baby Boomers, GEN X, Y, XY? ]
There seems to be a new wave of tejanos emerging out of society that are claiming themselves to be Americans and Tejanos - as far as music is concern. Don't go out there and start World War III ... I said, "music only!" Meaning, these new trends have their own culture and identity as "puros tejanos." These new generation tejanos live and work here in the United States, they were born here, and if their sacrifice is needed they will go to war and fight for this country; a large number of them are very educated as well. They don't listen to all the Mexican stations in all the major cities where they live, and they most certainly do not watch the TELEMUNDO evening news in Spanish. They could be young males and females, middle age, and even senior citizens, but they all have one thing in common and are striving to get their "identity and rights" back as citizens of this country. They are die-hard tejanos and love their music and tejano artists and live with a sense of pride like no other! Some of these rights they are fighting for is to regain what was lost or taken away from them many years ago as tejanos. Some call it Generation X.
Additionally in our present world, there are many "Hispanic" organizations here in the United States claiming to represent us as tejanos and even try to speak for you and me, but in reality their policies and doctrines incline more towards the "rights of people of Mexican descent" ... and NOT for the Mexican-American of this country. I remember very vividly the glorious days of our Onda back in San Jose California many years ago. San Jose was a huge tejano hub in the west coast during the late 50s, 60, and 70s when one could go downtown and hear tejano groups ranging from conjuntos to bands, and so many tejano groups used to come from Texas every weekend. Those were beautiful tejano years.
Today, in San Jose and in other cities throughout California tejano music is practically non-existent and all you hear is music from south of the border! ... and this trend is common throughout the United States; sadly, even here in Phoenix Arizona! [there are isolated and scattered areas in CA that do have tejano music, but no comparison to the 70s. While we still have many controversial border initiatives to discuss and points to argue between Mexico and the United States, I guess the plain truth is that our real tejano identity has been, "Lost In Translation" - if I can use that movie title for now. Yes, lost and overtaken by this migration that "things are just out of control" ... some laws in this country make it possible for others to succeed and get away with so many issues and things - while our own American rights are ignored right here in our own homeland. It could probably be stated very openly here that all of these issues and problems between these two ethnics groups are causing the rise and fall of La Onda Tejana as we know it, either directly or indirectly, or both for that matter!
It is my understanding as Americans living in this country, my logical thinking at age 66, and my 110% honest tejano educated belief that we are well-deserving of the following conclusion and the principles thereof:

We deserve the right to have and managed our own TV stations.

We should be able to see TV stations and hear radio programs that are categorized - and appropriately to what we call, LA ONDA TEJANA.

Deserve the right to have media coverage that truthfully represents us.

Need to have FM tejano radio stations all over this country that play our kind of music.

Our tejano artists, musicians, singers, and groups DO NOT have the visibility and access to mass media distribution. This means a loss of revenue from CD sales, less music engagements and tours, and a huge loss to one very important asset we have today: The many loyal and faithful tejano fans!

In the civilized world of social order, we must work hard and unite as ONE culture of tejanos!

Our new TEJAN[O]logy world is comprised and evolves from all the above. That is WHO we are.

"My friends, in order to change our Onda today we all have to share the burden on our shoulders. We must face the reality and responsibilities that come from being a proud Tejano or a Tejana like no one before us. Together we must risk the cost and financial setbacks, make the Tejano movement stronger than ever before, share and live with the music changes and trends of this century, we must understand our accomplishments as well as our failures ... yet, we must rise up in the end and celebrate the final ambition of victory and success."

Furthermore, it's so hard to change the minds of people that have the wrong perception of us as tejanos, who we really are, what we stand for, and the fact that we are Americans - AND what we really want from our music. Here in Phoenix AZ:

There is so much rock music out there, which is okay with me!

There are country music hits being heard day in and day out, but I can live with that too!

Rap music is everywhere on TV and radio, I don't have a problem with that either!

As a matter of fact, I like tejano, salsa, smooth jazz, classical, rock, country, and even oldies.

.....but to see and hear so many TV/radio Spanish speaking stations 24/7 broadcasting some news about Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and who knows where, just doesn't make it!

Now, WE as tejanos should have the same access to all the TV stations and FM radio media as they do, if not more! We should have the same media exposure and coverage as well. Actually, we should have more!! Hell, why not?! If my memory and history lessons are still correct, WE have more rights than they do!

I have also heard from many people that in order to do this we need a lot of money, new management, and that we need to get organized. Well, okay then, let's make a new organization and start making some money!

If Bush and Kerry can raise millions and millions of dollars on a single $1000 a plate evening, why can't we do that too?

Okay, let's make it a $500/$100/$50 a plate evening starting right here in Phoenix; then Tucson; then Las Cruces, then on to El Paso, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, LA, Miami, Chicago, Denver, Sacramento, and all over the country!! In a matter of a year or less, we should have a New Organization with enough funds in the bank to make our comeback and be proud tejanos one more time!!

TEJANOmike 04/28/08

An Afterthought

One fundamental truism and factoid is that Tejano music is not dead, it's not dying, or lost, or call it whatever name you want to give it in this modern society. The sheer fact and simple truth is that perhaps, WE ARE DYING! We are giving up by the numbers from what I hear. We have fallen asleep and need to wake up BIG TIME. We are letting our music and culture identity breathe the last breath, and are being overwhelmingly controlled by some other ethnic groups that have no right to do so. 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, it doesn't work that way anymore. This is the new millennium and we all have to share the burden on our shoulders, the responsibilities that come from being a Tejano or a Tejana, risk the cost and financial setbacks, make the Tejano movement stronger than ever before, share and live with the music changes and trends, understand our accomplishments both good and bad ... and in the end to celebrate the final ambition of victory and success.

None of us can predict the future, but our beautiful and unique style of music is not going to die anytime soon, and most certainly not at tejanomike dot com! Hell no! We won't let it die, but I'll close my statements with this strong recommendation. I'll repeat it again, but do think about it real, real hard. Perhaps what is needed is this: A single affiliation or governing organization to oversee all the aspects of the Tejano music industry. TEJANOmike 02/15/04

YOUR next question to me could very well be, "Well TEJANOmike, what are YOU doing to help La Onda?" Excellent question! Presently, I'm planning this and that, or doing the following:

I have a tejano Website and the Tejano Awareness Board to assist others.

I promote tejano groups, singers, and bands through "The Music Source" link.

I answer emails that range from tejano topics, song lyrics, comments, and even hire bands for local weddings.

Trying very hard to promote local bands here in Phoenix and in the surrounding cities and through out Arizona; and with the Zona Zone link.

Postings on our new message board: The TAB

Talk to tejanos on the phone about our issues, problems, and topics.

I travel to Texas 2-3 times a year; sometimes less, sometimes more, to participate in discussions and workshops.

I create new starter Websites for musicians and promoters.

Promoting my new original songs to groups here in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas, and on this Website.

Plan to join the Tejano Academy some time real soon. I've been delaying it because I want to do it in person on my next Texas visit.

Planning to promote my new tejano CD and release parties in Phoenix and Austin.

Communicating. I talk to people at clubs, dances, stores, to neighbors, DJ's, strangers, musicians, fans, guys and girls of all ages, and just about anybody that wants to talk about tejano music!! Not hard to do at all, people are always eager to talk.

Improving my computer software skills and Web designing tools. Improve my learning curve through self-studying. I've been learning new software like Macromedia's Illustrator 8.0, DREAMWEAVER MX, and FLASH MX to improve my site and those of my clients. I also read about music appreciation and MIDI articles on Cakewalk's Web site.

Education. Now, this goal is a little bit out of my way at my tender age of 66, but I have done it before. When we buy our next house I really would like to set up a music room and teach young kids about tejano music, how to play the trumpet and how to play the drums!! - tejano style that is! I would like to do this for some kids here in Phoenix.

I want to do more for La Onda and new plans and ideas are always in the woodworks such as the new, "National Tejano Music Alliance" ... still not done yet.

I Enjoy doing all the above!

If bored, well, I will repeat all of the above steps again!