Tortilla Factory: on the comeback trail PT II
Liberacion reunites Virgil Canales and Juan Tavares
DALLAS - Despite the recent gloomy reports on Tejano's economic health, the genre has a vibrant future as evidenced by the enthusiastic turnout at the 2008 Dodge Ram Tejano Music National Convention this weekend.
Attendance was not as optimistic (official figures are still being compiled) as officially expected, particularly the early morning seminars, but overall organizer David Chavez said he was pleased.
"I think the number of fans and industry professionals that turned out for this convention is proof that Tejano is still a viable genre," Chavez said. "The response at some of the younger artists in Friday's concerts shows that the next generation is already making their mark in the music."
It was the first TMNC held in Dallas (at the Hyatt Regency), the previous four were held in Las Vegas.
The first seminar "Tejano Music Today: State of the Industry" set the pace, making the argument that despite the obstacles, Tejano can survive and even thrive with the help of the Internet's powerful tools, including social networks and the constantly proliferating Tejano music websites, iTunes, Emusic and other outlets, as well as through the resources of Texas Music Office, and the Grammys.
Another seminar, "Country Broadcasters and Tejano," outlined country radio's urgency in seeking new ways to grow their audiences in light of the latest stats on Latino's overall booming population.
The three-day convention also featured dance and music lessons. A fanfare and expo at the hotel featured dozens of booths where fans could get autographs and photographs, as well as sponsors booths offering freebies and informative brochures and services.
Friday night's Mega Dance at the Dallas Convention Center offered performances by relative newcomers Megan Leyva, Veronica Sustaita, and Candace Vargas and pioneers Sunny Ozuna, Jimmy Edward, Johnny Hernandez and Sunny Ozuna. Also performing were Sunny Sauceda, Los Chamacos and Jay Perez. Saturday's showcase featured Rick Trevino, Los Garcia Brothers, Hometown Boys, Joe Posada, Joe Jama, Flaco Jimenez, Los TexManicas, Ruben Ramos, Michael Salgado, Roberto Pulido and Elida Reyna.
"I thought the overall turnout was great and the unique artist pairings and showcases really got the fans excited," Chavez said. "The artists, especially Megan, Veronica and Candace, really stepped up to the plate."
The three-day Tejano Music National Convention was the talk of the town. In recent weeks, it has also been the buzz in Tejano chat rooms, websites, blogs and online media sites.
Additional convention sponsors included AARP, Wachovia, Southwest Airlines, Coors Light, Crown Royal, the Recording Academy, BMI, Wrangler, Casino Del Sol, BNET Radio.com, Coca-Cola, Time Warner Cable, Hastings Entertainment, Inc, Gabbanelli, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the Dallas Convention Center.
Concern about Tejano's future has been a hot topic in recent years as clubs have shuttered, CD sales has slowed, and radio stations changed formats.
Another positive development for the Tex-Mex industry is the news that the 2008 Latin Grammys will be held in Houston's Toyota Center on Nov. 13, providing an unprecedented opportunity for the Tex-Mex music industry to showcase it's talents.
And as reported in Saturday's Dallas Morning News convention coverage, an interesting insight on Tejano's future was delivered by Sean Ross, of New Jersey-based Edison Media Research:
"Mr. Ross, who works with the radio and music businesses and conducts listener research, sat in the audience. He intelligently responded to the widespread notion that Tejano music is dead.
"'There is always a new generation of artists that can fill clubs and sell records without radio,' he said. 'That usually makes radio take notice, then pick up the ball and run with it'."
More details
Latinpointe.com
Roger Velasquez: making his mark with CD 'Quiero Besarte'
Intocable: 'new CD was like 'Operation Kindergarden'
Los Tigres Del Norte: on a new late summer tour
Concerts Calendar 8/12: Zamora, Guerrero, Suave
Intocable's Munoz says new CD '2C' is a 'back-to-the-future' work
Esteban 'Steve' Jordan: All-Star Tribute Sunday in Austin
Upcoming concerts: Iglesias, LuisMi, Grammys
TMNC2008: Sauceda, Salgado, Perez, Pulido and more
Little Joe, Ruben Ramos among All Stars on tribute CD to De La Rosa
Dan Segura dead; Tejano pioneer blazed trail
Grammy importance stressed at RyN conf in LA
Radio Notas: Women behind radio; SA leaders at LA confab
Daddy Yankee: the next step into movies
Actress/singer Aracely Arambula back on TV
Leave a comment