Hello Tejanos Out There!
This is a Tejano music site with a commonality line of balance. I thank you kindly for visiting and I'm so glad you're here at the real TMDC. Explore the new site, the new links, the new commentaries and new pictures, plus the latest updates and good Tejano music.
Plus, overall music dialogue are the main principals of this site, and for all of you across this country. Progress in the advocacy and infrastructure of our Tejano music industry you could say, again ...
Is the heart and rhythm of TMDC.
So, welcome to my Home Page Tejanos
Welcome to tejanomike.com
And this is where it all begins, and it has my introduction to the site. I talk about tejano music balance, music awareness, I talk about my city of Austin and my early beginnings in music, I mean, it's been an exceptionally long music journey between three states, the present day music apps/platforms, and as an advocate for more than 35 years.
Since I'm from Austin Texas, and a Libra, well, sorry, but, ... "I love beauty in all forms" ... and in all kinds of art/abstract pictures, 'astronomy' has been one of my favorite subjects since I was eight years old. I love to write and compose 'love ballads' ...
But Tejano music being the main one. I love to write and arrange original songs as well as conjunto, group,
and band music arrangements. I have written a few Tejano and country songs; they're on the 'Music' link.
I also play different kinds of music here on my tejano music site, i.e., from super Tejano hits to light rock to d new and old country covers ...
At times I upload YouTube videos, and other music that I have in my computer like Latin salsa, oldies, Hawaiian, reggae, and other classic hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s, to the present.
I mix it up all the time.
"I also believe that music, like life itself, can take us through so many roads and so many different paths,
so many changes, traveling through city after city, and playing in other states and countries."
"But more importantly I think, we also learn other things from so many people we meet along the way.
That is the beauty of life itself."
Other current interests are world history, United States history, photography, computers, and digital effects. And ...
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I use Photoshop to layout my own pictures of the universe and our solar system - together
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Luv the flute; I play it at home
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I have so much interest in all kinds of planes since I was a kid in Texas, from jets to airliners. FAV: F22 Raptor
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Ai too, but somewhat optimistic on many levels
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Currently working on a new music trend I call, "Expansion Music' ... i.e., breaking the barrier and standard of 8 bars, 16 bars, extensions, etc.
just TM thoughts ...
I have said it many times over the years, our true tejano music is extremely hard to play, hard to emulate, even hard to learn, and hard to practice it too, let alone playing 'live' in front of an audience. But unless we unite as one strong voice and heard around the country, all the tejano organizations in the world will not save our music industry. Rather, tejanos and tejanas will have a terrible downfall, a slow demise, and leave only memories to live on. I do not want that. Do you?
In contrast and due to the modernization of the world today, our much younger generation of tejanos, tejanas, and musicians, most of them, have migrated or changed directions on us and gone to the generational cell phone world, to the R&B world, to rap, to low Fi, gone country, moved to the Latin international route, to the Jazz scene, crossovers and at times half tejano music mixed in there with who knows what!
What is photography? You are essentially freezing a moment in time and preserving it forever. It's not just about pressing a button; it's about composition, lighting, lenses, different cameras - [then by using this medium] - you can convey 'emotion' through that single frame. For some people/photographers, it's a form of artistic expression, while for others, it's a way to document history.
What draws me to photography? Oh, the angles, depth of field, multiple colors, infinite human expressions, the beauty of it all ... and the many stories behind a face.
Tejano music has always had the talent. It has always had the heart. What it has never fully embraced is unity - true unity - the kind that builds an industry, not just a fan base. The kind that creates opportunity, not just nostalgia. The kind that treats Tejano music as a business, not a hobby.
Back in 2021, I shared factoids about Tejano music awareness and total unity. I said then - and I say again today - that coming together as one familia is priority number one. It always has been. And if we want Tejano music to survive, to grow, and to reach the next generation, unity must finally become more than a slogan.
"Why is it important to study Tejano and Mexican history?"
It’s important to study the history of our homeland; Texas in this case. It gives us a vantage point to see what it is that took place in the past, what people were able to do, and what struggles and successes they had. Whether it was in the colonial period or the period of the Texas revolution or in the 20th century, history is a good way to look at that. It also allows us to understand how people sometimes must struggle to see themselves as equal citizens in this evolving, complex society. It is us. Tejanos.
It gives us an opportunity to learn about the past and issues that took place and how leaders - social, political, and educational leaders - can resolve those problems and move forward. This is an amazing history and story that continues to evolve.
Why did the, 'TEJANO AWARENESS BOARD' workshop failed in Las Vegas? What happen? Who was at fault? What went wrong?
Hard questions indeed. Before the Vegas workshop we also had TAB meetings in San Antonio and in Alice Texas. At the end of all this I did take some of the heat and blame for the complete failure back then, but to clarify things even more, I will add this today:
"Our clear alliance message was lost due to lack of follow-ups between all and/or some of the alliance members, and lack of professional media coverage - and something called, TEAMWORK. In the end, our overall mission also failed because we didn't reach out to other
fellow tejanos and tejanas in key tejano music states - and across the United States."
That is my assessment and conclusion on the matter, but I will also add that if we would of been somewhat successful, our tejano music industry, today, would be in a much better creditability with the American mainstream music, and our tejano music industry in a much more profitable position and overall structural classification. End results and to me the most important one: "Our tejano music fans would of seen more tejano music entertainment throughout major cities - including Phoenix Arizona." [By TM and written on April 25, 2013]
Today, well, I am grateful for the many advances in the digital planet and the innovational Ai technology we see daily ... And how it's used in our modern present-day world. You could say and you might even agree with me that it's a fast paced industry out there with social media platforms' ... And so many turbo-driven music apps.
It's a busy market-driven music business.
Very competitive.
Finally, Tejanos … Being a Libra from Texas, kindly allow me to share this with you all ...
"Every morning, I look forward to a new day because it brings in a new life chapter, it opens another new path, and
each day gives all of us another window of opportunity to face the world all over again."
That statement above is the simple truth. It is powerful. I say that because each sunrise reminds us that we are never stuck, never finished, never without hope. Life keeps opening doors - even when yesterday felt heavy, confusing, or uncertain. A new day means we get to try again, to get up again and continue on, to dream again, and believe one more time that we do have a future with our tejano music.
Also, every day is a fresh chance to grow, to heal, to love, to forgive, to create, to attain the best for our tejano community across this country of ours, and to stand strong in who we are. I thank you immensely for walking this music journey with me, for your constant loyalty, and for all your support. Let’s face the world again - with faith, with unity, and with the Tejano spirit that never fades.
About this site: TEJANOmike is a passionate advocate for Tejano music, which is a genre that blends Mexican and US influences, often featuring instruments like the accordion and guitar. He runs a website called the real 'TEJANOmike' at www.tejanomike.com ... where he shares his love for Tejano music, promotes its history, and encourages young musicians to excel in this genre. Welcome back.