I received a message in my inbox this past week that was really exciting:
Austin Tejano Music Coalition To Announce Major Enhancement for Tejano Music in Central Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Austin, Texas – The Austin Tejano Music Coalition invites you to attend a press conference on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Plaza Saltillo, located at East 5th and Comal Street.
There will be an announcement of major significance for Tejano music and fans of Tejano music in Central Texas. In attendance will be Tejano musicians, fans, elected officials and members of the Austin Tejano Music Coalition.
The announcement?
Tejano Radio is coming back to Austin after 3 years on 1560 AM radio and 95.1 FM.
A lot of Tejano music lovers feel left out by big radio station companies and have had to use grassroots efforts to spread the word. Several coalitions across Texas (and recently in Kansas City) have propped up in support of the music. Here are some interviews I conducted today with Julian Fernandez of Los Texas Wranglers and Senator Gonzalo Barrientos.
While the city Austin went about it’s business, a benchmark took place in Saltio Plaza this morning. On a warm, bright summer day the news being shared was just as hot and scorching as the weather. Battle long and hard enough for what you believe is right and chances are good you will prevail. It’s the American way.
Today Tejano Music lives in Austin because people cared enough to share mere words but calculating actions. The Austin Tejano Music Coalition is responsible for firing up the questions, ideas and influence to rationalize the reason why Tejano music belongs to the people. More importantly as true leaders Jose Jaime Garcia (Encino Broadcasting) and Leonard Davila (President – ATMC) found a path to rationalize the intrinsic value Austin radio services the hearts and wallets of the Tejano community.
ATMC has made Tejanos all over the world even prouder today. Their tenacity, dedication and resolve willed them to win a simple unassuming victory in one voice for their Tejano culture.
The playbook has been written and now it’s up to each Tejano to begin thinking like a loyal consumer honoring the efforts of a few for the greater good of many by purchasing from Tejano merchants and Tejano friendly brands. They’ll have to go out of their way but the support will guarantee today’s victory was not in vain. Today, Tejano lives in Austin and come Friday turn up the volume at KTXZ 1560 am to cheer on the great news.
Ruben Cubillos
VIVE Tejano, Inc
Great meeting you today, Ruben! Hope to run into you again soon!
I’ve been inspired.
I WAS SURFING THE NET FOR SOME INFO ABOUT THE COALITIONS. I HAPPEN TO STUMBLE UPON THE ATMC WEBSITE. I READ WHERE A TEJANO STATION WAS GOING TO AIR ON AM. I’M VERY HAPPY FOR THE TEJANOS IN AUSTIN. I’M FROM ODESSA, TX AND WE NEED A TEJANO STATION HERE. I SPOKE WITH TANIA CASTANEDA OF LOS MATADORS FROM MIDLAND, TX AND SHE AGREED THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. WE ARE BEING LEFT OUT OF THE TEJANO CIRCLE.WE HAVE 3 SPANISH LANGUAGE STATIONS AND THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT ADDING A FOURTH. NONE OF THESE PLAY ANY TEJANO MUSIC. IT SADDENS ME TO NO END. I WANT MY TEJANO MUSIC BACK. CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME IDEAS AS TO HOW TO GET A COALITION STARTED? YOUR INPUT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW STATION ON KEEPING THE ONDA ALIVE
Hi Mario,
I am also from West Texas (Van Horn) and was sad that I could only jam out to norteño! Which is fine…but I like Tejano music too!
You can get in touch with the folks at the Austin Tejano Music Coalition and they might be able to help you out. Their website is: http://www.austintejanomusic.com/
Or, you can also contact Ruben Cubillos. His blog is: http://www.vivetejano.org/
Hope this helps!
what has happen to all the tejano radio stations in Houston, Texas ????
what can the dallas/ft.worth area do to get back a tejano radio station? congrads to the austin area for getting back a tejano station. all we have is mexican regional music, there so many stations of that music, but my music has always been tejano, since I was a teenager and always will be.
thanks. jessica baldillez in denton county.
I just wanted to tell the people of Austin, congrads on your tejano radio station back on the air. We listen to the radio station via the internet and we really enjoy it! We also go to Austin and visit the Tejano Ranch Club, it’s a nice club and we really like going there. Keep up the good work and keep the Tejano Onda going. Maybe the coalition in the austin area and teach the DFW area in how you guys did it to get your tejano radio station back on the air!!!!
Jesssica & Joe Baldillez
I STUMBLED UPON THIS JUST LOOKING FOR “TEJANO” IN GENERAL AND I REMEMBER HEARING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS EVENT AND TRIUMPH! BELATED CONGRATS! ITS SAD THAT THIS NORTENO IS TAKING OVER LIKE A PLAGUE AND WE HERE IN THE MIDLAND/ODESSA AREA CANT HURT ANY WORSE. WE HAVE AN A.M STATION LA KOZA TEJANA 1230 a.m AND GOD BLESS THEM BUT YOU CAN BARELY CATCH THEM HERE IN MIDLAND. THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB, THE PART TIME DJS THERE BUT WE REALLY NEED AND FM AND SADLY WE HAVE 3, YES 3 NORTENO RADIO STATIONS, OH EXCUSE ME, “REGIONAL MEXICAN” STATIONS THAT ALL PLAY THE SAME SAME SAME STUFF. EVEN SADDER IS THAT WE TEJANOS ARE INCLUDED IN THEIR DEMOGRAPHICS BUT DO NOT GET ANY REPRESENTATION WHATSOEVER! IF THERES SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP, MAYBE A GROUP OF INVESTORS , MY GOOD FRIEND ROBERT AND I HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN. THANKS, GOD BLESS AND LONG LIVE TEJANO!!!!!!!