Coming up:
'History of Texas Music' delivers detail, context, perspective

New flash:
Olga Tanon: 'Evolution Tour' takes her to Italy

In an impressive 20-year career, singer Olga Tanon has proved herself one of the most dynamic, versatile and talented singers in pop and salsa music.

In the beginning, the Puerto Rican singer Olga Tanon made a splash by recording big salsa and merengue hits. But later she delved into pop music,also scoring several hits.

Now,Tanon looks back on a fabulos career,including some shaky moments in a special "Olga Tanon: 20 anos de carrera," which airs on the "Cristina" TV show this Monday.

As detailed in this LNN report Tanon teams up with merengue queen Millie Quezada on the show.

In the show titled "Olga Tanon: 20 anos de carrera," host Cristina will also interview Tanon's husband/promoter Billy Denizard and her children Indiana Noa and Ian Nair.

Tanon became such a popular merengue artist she is often referred to as the queen of merengue.

But Tanon also stretched her repertoire by recording pop ballads albums.

Tanon is one of the few and most successful singers who has recorded merengue, salsa and pop.

In her 20-year career she has won multiple Grammys and Latin Grammys.

In our previous interviews through the years, Tanon said having experienced tough times (she was married and divorced from baseball star Juan Gonzalez in 1999) helped her in interpreting songs of heartbreak.

In the "Cristina" special, Tanon's life is examined from infancy through the struggles in her early career.

As described by Univision show producer Omar Fernandez, the show highlights include:

"La galardonada artista puertorriqueña cuenta los pormenores de su carrera desde sus inicios y las dificultades que confrontó para superarlas. "La mujer de fuego", como se le llama a Olga abre su corazon a Cristina y le confiesa como ha sido su vida, los momentos felices, las lágrimas y como ella ha podido superar todos los obstáculos que se le han presentado."

In another segment:

"Cristina no solo habla con la Tanon, sino tambien con su esposo, el productor de television y empresario Billy Denizardo, padre de sus hijos menores Indiana Noa e Ian Nair. El nos cuenta cómo es Olga la mujer, la esposa y la madre."

And also:

"Olga nos presenta a toda su familia y, emocionada, recibe un regalo de su primogenita. Gabriela Marie, su hija con el jugador de beisbol Juan Igor González, sorprende a todos cantando cuando Cristina se lo pide, provocando el aplauso de todos."

The "Cristina" TV show airs Monday night in the San Antonio area on Channel 41, Cable 8.

The Sam Houston Club at Ft. Sam may become the most popular live music venue for Latino music. At the least it is quickly becoming a busy center for community events like wedding receptions, quincianeras, youth and adult activities and other social events.

Meanwhile, this Friday night, salsa/tropical music fans have a party to celebrate when Grupo Soncache comes to Sam Houston Club.

Grupo Soncache, from Killeen, (in photo at right) stop in at Sam Houston Club Friday night in what is being billed as Latin Night at Fort Sam. Also performing will be DJ Papote.

The Sam Houston Club is located at Bldg 1395 Chaffe Rd. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free before 9 p.m. and $5 after. For more details call (210) 224-2721 or visit www.fortsamhoustonwmr.com

Music fans should realize a new Latin Night showcase is a rare event. It is not everyday that a new venue opens to cater to salsa/tropical music fans. So if you like this type of music, get out there and support the venue and help show we need more of this type of entertainment.

DJ Papote is a veteran concert promoter and his next show is the Salsa Rengue Summer Bash, an Indoor/outddoor festival featuring Mi Rumba Orchestra, Grupo Fuego, Grupo Soncache, and DJ Papote.

The family festival will also feature arts & crafts, food booths.

Admission will be $7 to the event scheduled at the Semeneya Ballroom, 2899 N.E. Loop 410 (210) 822-8075 www.myspace.com/djpapote  

(Courtesy)

Mauricio Vargas

The heartland music of Mexico has always been recognized as musica de mariachi or musica ranchera.

The best Mexican music also includes boleros, huapangos and more.

Now the magic, mystery and beauty of Mexican music will be celebrated at a special concert Saturday night at the Instituto de Mexico Auditorium.

The event is billed as Mexico, Mexico, Mexico. The concert is being presented by Proart Interlatin USA and the Instituto de Mexico.

The list of singers and entertainers in this "Cancion Mexicana" concert is long and impressive.

It includes: Patti Malcolm, Mauricio Guizar, Alfredo Lomeli, Luis Loyo, Margarita Ramiro, Victor Perez, Brittney and Bridget Perez.

Also performiing are Tamara Herrera, Natalia Madrigal, Daniela Villasenor.

(Courtesy)

Patti Malcolm

According to singer Patti Malcolm, there will also be a special appearance by soprano Stella Maris Jurado, orator Flavia Valle, MC Jacobo Paz and direct from Guadalajara, tenor Alejandro Vargas.

Malcolm said Vargas' latest recording is an "album with the prestigious Mariachi Vargas de Tecatitlan backing him up. Vargas has been performing in several venues in Mexico promoting this material which gives the ranchera style music a higher level of performance. Even though he has a tenor voice, he prefers to sing 'la Musica bravia' and huapangos."

She added that Mauricio Guizar was "born in the midst of great artistry as the grandson of the late Tito Guizar, international singer and movie star. Mauricio Guizar naturally followed his grandfather's foot steps and pursued an acting career In Mexico, where he has appeared in soap operas."

In addition, there will also be a "Cuadro folklorico" with the Mexicapan dancers and Mariachi Internacional. Musical arrangements and accompaniment for all singers will be by Jorge Infante and Mariachi Internacional.

The show is at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Tickets are $25 for the event at the Instituto de Mexico Auditorium, 600 Hemisfair Park. Proceeds benefit the Proart Interlatin USA Educational & Community Outreach Annual Cultural Program.

For more details call (210) 710-4983, or visit www.prointusa.com.

It has been a while since the Sister Morales last had a CD out.

Actually, it's about six years since their CD, "Para Gloria," was released.

Now they have a brand new 12-track album titled "Talking to the River." Haven't heard it yet but the Sister Morales' smooth and engaging mix of bilingual, bicultural music has always been intriguing.

Los Lobo's Steve Berlin produced the CD and it includes Sisters Morales originals as well as  a few covers such as "La Mucura" and "La Canoera."

The San Antonio-based group, shown above left with a young fan, includes sisters Lisa and Roberta Morales and guitarist David  Spencer.

The Sisters Morales were recently (5/23) in San Antonio playing Casbeers.

Here are a few more tour dates found on their website:www.sistersmorales.com

May 24 Sat - Railroad Blues - Alpine, TX

May 31 Sat - McGonigel's Mucky Duck - Houston, TX
CD RELEASE PARTY!!!!

JUNE

June 1 Sun - Survivorship Houston Coalition, MD Anderson - Houston, TX

June 6 Fri - Love and War - Grapevine, TX

June 14 Sat - Dosey Doe Coffee House - The Woodlands, TX

June 20 Fri - Frisco Groove - Frisco, TX

June 21 Sat - Twist Music Festival - San Antonio, TX

June 27 Fri - The Back Porch - Port Aransas, TX

June 28 Sat - Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe - Galveston, TX 

Texas Upfront to showcase live music, Latino TV networks fall programming

Live music and a sneak peak at the Spanish-language TV networks fall programming will highlight the Texas Hispanic Upfront event in early June.

The first annual Texas Hispanic Upfront is being hosted by SAVisión and the American Marketing Association and will be held 5:30-10:30 p.m. June 5 at the Scottish Rite Museum and Library, 308 Avenue E at 4th St.

According to organizer/ SAVisión chair Diane Huth, The list of entertainers to perform include Mariachi del Pueblo, Paraguayan harpist Juan Cabrera, Rosalinda Risso & Trio Janítzio, Ballet Folklórico Festival and the high-energy Latin group Pochimex. Sonny Melendrez, local radio celebrity and professional speaker, will be the Master of Ceremonies.

"Upfront" is the ad industry jargon for the gala presentation of new programming and advertising data aimed to convince media buyers to contract "upfront" for annual sponsorships and media packages. For the first time, the American Marketing Association and SAVisión, its Hispanic Marketing arm, will unite the 5 broadcast networks for a joint presentation to hundreds of media decision makers unable to make the week-long trek to New York to learn about such programming news.

Univision, Telemundo, LATTV, Azteca and V-Me (the Spanish-language PBS network) will all present their media offerings at the Texas Hispanic Upfront, and will meet one-on-one with potential advertisers at the Media Fair that precedes the multimedia show. 

Advertisers will be able to take advantage of special "Upfront" packages and

deals offered by the networks, which will put local agencies and advertisers on the same footing as the New York agencies which have traditionally had access to such specials.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about more than just television programming, as the Media Fair will also feature other Hispanic media, including local Spanish-language newspapers Cancha, Conexión and Mexico Express, all published by the San Antonio Express-News.  Insignia System will present InsigniaPops, an innovative in-store shelf signage program. Valassis will showcase their RedPlum line of multimedia print offerings including shared mail, solo mail, newspaper inserts and free-standing inserts, and direct-to-door sampling programs.  CommonSense will allow media pros to interact with its exclusive Doppler bilingual email marketing system.  

The Upfront will begin with a Media Fair 5:30 to 7:00, and will feature food stations and live entertainment.  The network presentations will follow in the theater, along with additional entertainment.

Additional event sponsors include HEB, Republic National Distributing Company, Brown-Forman (distiller of Jack Daniels), Absolutely Everything Catering, Accu-Print printing, Marie Ferrante, graphic designer, Wickley Advertising, TMS Total Media Solutions, The Wedding Connection, and many other companies who have donated goods and services to ensure the event's success.

Tickets range from $35-$60.

For more details contact: Diane Huth, SAVisión Chair, (210) 601-7852, dxhuth@valassis.com, or Scott Keeler, Upfront Chair, (210) 859-6914, scott.keeler@citcomm.com. Or check out: www.valassis.com or www.savision.org

'Mexico Mexico Mexico' offers classy music, top performers

 "Mexico Mexico Mexico"

Proart Interlatin USA and the Instituto de Mexico team up to present a wide variety of classy "Cancion Mexicana" featuring Patti Malcolm, Mauricio Guizar, Alfredo Lomeli, Luis Loyo, Margarita Ramiro, Victor Perez, Brittney and Bridget Perez, Tamara Herrera.

Also in the lineup is Natalia Madrigal, Daniela Villasenor, Stella Maris Jurado, Alejandro Vargas, Orator Flavia Valle and MC Jacobo Paz.

The performers will interpret the classics by famous composers such as Armando Manzanero, Tomas Mendez, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Consuelo Velasquez, and others.

Also, the "Cuadro folklorico" will feature the Mexicapan dancers, and Mariachi Internacional.

The musical arrangements are being done by Jorge Infante.

The concert is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Tickets are $25.

The event is scheduled at the Instituto de Mexico Auditorium, 600 Hemisfair Park.

Also, proceeds will benefit the Proart Interlatin USA Educational & Community Outreach Annual Cultural Program.

For more details call (210)710-4983.

Y como se reporto aqui en este periodico,...

Gran homenaje a la canción mexicana 

 
El Instituto Cultural de México, en colaboración con Proart Interlatin USA, presentará en sus instalaciones -600 Hemisfair Park, el programa "México México México".

La cita será el sábado, 31 de mayo, a las 7 p.m..

En este programa musical, se muestra la gran variedad que existe en la canción mexicana y la belleza de las melodías de grandes compositores como Manzanero, Garrido, Manuel M. Ponce, Cantoral entre otros.

Emilio Navaira's original band part of Summer Fest

Emilio Navaira remains in fair condition at Houston's TIRR Hospital, recovering from his serious injuries sustained when his tour bus crashed in Houston on March 23.

However this Sunday, the original bandmembers of his first Rio Band will be part of the festivities at Summer Fest, which is presented by the Academy of Tejano Artists and Musicians. The event will be held noon to 11 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per person.

Festival organizer Chayo Zaldivar says the lineup includes David Lee Garza y Los Musicales, Javier Galvan y FAMA, La Mafia, Little Joe Hernandez, Ruben Ramos & Mexican Revolution, Tex-Maniacs, Intocable, and Tropa F.

However, the special show to watch is the performance of Navaira's original band.

Navaira's manager Joe Casias, said that the musicians playing Sunday are the original members from the early '90s and features accordionist Pete Ybarra, keyboardist Marc Martinez, drummer Albert Casanova, bassist Julian Escobedo, and guitarist Carl Leon.

Navaira's songs, Emilio IV and Diego, will also perform with the group. Casias added that Navaira's brother and original/current member Raulito, will also be there but he is not performing.

Zaldivar said a portion of the proceeds will benefit Emilio & Grupo Rio.

For details call (210) 227-2826.

Y como se reporte en El Universal,..

Emilio Navaira chocó por conducir alcoholizado: prensa

De acuerdo con los estudioos toxicológicos, la estrella de música texana conducía en estado de embriaguez cuando chocó su autobús en una carretera de Houston y por el cual quedó gravemente herido 
 
Reportan estable de salud a Emilio Navaira  2008-04-16
 La última noche que vio a Emilio  2008-03-28
  
AP
El Universal
Houston, Texas
Viernes 02 de mayo de 2008

09:15 Pruebas de toxicología indican que el astro de la música tejana Emilio Navaira conducía en estado de embriaguez cuando chocó su autobús en una carretera en los suburbios de Houston, dijeron las autoridades.

Los resultados de los exámenes se conocieron esta semana y el Houston Chronicle los publicó la noche del jueves en su sitio de Internet. El diario también reportó que en septiembre del 2000 Navaira fue arrestado por manejar borracho.

Summer is just about here and the outdoor festivals start up in high gear.

One of the biggies is the ATAM Summer Concert set for Sunday at Rosedale Park.

ATAM festival organizer Chayo Zaldivar says the concert wil feature a big lineup to include  David Lee Garza y Los Musicales, Javier Galvan y FAMA, La Mafia, Little Joe Hernandez, and the original Rio Band with guest artists Emilio IV & Diego, Ruben Ramos & Mexican Revolution, Tex-Maniacs, Intocable, Tropa F, plus other invited guests.

The latest update from Navaira's manager Joe Casias, is that Emilio Navaira remains in fair condition at Houston's TIRR Hospital, recovering from his serious injuries sustained when his tour bus crashed in Houston on March 23. 

The family festival is scheduled noon-11 p.m. Sunday, May 25 at Rosedale Park. Admission is $10 per person.

Zaldivar said a portion of the proceeds will benefit Emilio & Grupo Rio. For more details call (210) 227-2826.

More music:

www.myspace.com/ramiroburr
www.ramiroburr.com

Send news and events info:

musicreporter@gmail.com

Chili Queens Celebration features live music, food, street dancing 

It's late May and that means it's time for Return of The Chili Queens Celebration.

The huge festival downtown will feature more than a dozen groups.

Headliners include Artie V y Grupo Suave, La Formula (de Laredo), Grupo Rayo, Five Star, Texas Latino, Frijoles Romanticos, Liberty Band, Los Aguilares, Albert Zamora.

The three-day festival takesplaces at Market Square.

The fest pays tribute to the chili queen who sold chili from open-air stalls at the Military Plaza Mercado during the 1800's.

The annual chili contest is sponsored by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI). Free. Saturday thru Monday.

More music:

www.myspace.com/ramiroburr
www.ramiroburr.com

Send news and events info:

musicreporter@gmail.com

A new Latin Night has been scheduled at the Fort Sam Houston Club at Ft. Sam. The special night wil feature Son Cache from Killeen. Also performing will be DJ Papote .

The event is scheduled 9 p.m. May 30 at the Fort Sam Houston Club, Bldg 1395 Chaffe Rd. Admisions is $5. Formore details call (210) 224-2721 or visit www.fortsamhoustonwmr.com

DJ Papote is a promoter and his next show is the Salsa Rengue Summer Bash, an  Indoor/outddoor festival featuring Mi Rumba Orchestra, Grupo Fuego, Son Cache, and DJ Papoteon Sunday, June 8.

 The family festival will also bfeature arts & crafts, food booths. Admission will be $7 to the event scheduled at the Semeneya Ballroom, 2899 N.E. Loop 410 (210) 822-8075 www.myspace.com/djpapote

Coming up:
Chili Queens Celebration features live music, food, street dancing
Son Cache headlines Latin night at Fort Sam Houston Club

Urban singer Baby Bash says that with the changing times, it is more important than ever for artists to get hip with technolgy.

"It's important to their digital game on right. The young kids are all downloading right now ... The new technology is critical," he said. "It is just another tool for our promotions box. It is a good way to outlet, a good way to promote, even if you're not on a big record label."

As a recent case, Baby Bash pointed to the recent success he had with his latest CD "Cyclone." That included getting the title track and "What Is It" (featuring Sean Kingston), on No. 1 on Billboard's rhythmic chart. hi.

Baby Bash explained that his new emphasis on the digital arena, in particular in the promotions of his CD. Baby Bash and his crew worked feverishly on his MySpace page weeks before the CD's release. The result was that his page registered more than 5.1 million profile views, making him one of the top Latin artists on the popular social networking site.

But Baby Bash said there is much more in the new hi-tech age. He pointed to online promotions, digital and ringtone sales.

More Baby Bash details:
Latin Grammy panel: 'the new digital scene transformative'

Born in Vallejo, Calif. to a Mexican mother and Anglo father, He grew up listening to the urban music that was part of the low-rider car show scene. He counts Tom Petty, Sly & the Family Stone, Marvin Gaye and Too Short Among his main influences.

After working with area groups like Potna Deuce and Latino Velvet, Baby Bash relocated to Houston, where he met and was influenced by the growing Houston rap scene and rapper South Park Mexican.

Among his biggest hits are "Suga Suga," "Shortie Doowop" and "Obsession."  His previous albums, "Tha Smokin' Nephew" and "Super Saucy," have sold nearly a million copies.

Related stories:
Urban rapper El Chivo raps for immigrant cause
Ricardo Arjona: grabar y salir de gira y volver es como rutina
Los Garcia Brothers among headliners at Laredo's City Style Lowrider Car Club Benefit Car Show
More music and news sources: HispanicTips.com
Joe Lopez Update: Family says he is not 'dying in prison'

Get this book now

El cantante guatemalteco Ricardo Arjona dice a paso de los años, estar en el estudio a grabar y salir de gira se hace como rutina.

En una entrevista con La Opinión en Los Ángeles, Arjona platico de su vida como artista y su nuevo disco "Adentro."

Y cuando le preguntaron que tanto tiempo se tardo para cumplir su disco:

"

Componer las canciones y hacer la preproducción y eso, como un año y medio o dos años."

Y fue difícil durante ese tiempo estar alejado de los escenarios? "No, no, no. Yo tengo como pautas en mi vida, casi una rutina. La rutina que me sienta mejor para no ver esto como una rutina. Suena medio extraño, pero ya te expliqué que hago 10 meses de gira y después cuando empiezo a cansarme, me salgo."

Y después?

"Cuando empiezo a cansarme del estudio [de grabación] regularmente es cuando termino los discos.

"Cuando estoy en la casa tengo muchas ganas de ir al show, cuando me cansan los recitales tengo muchas ganas de ir al estudio, y así se me pasa la vida. Es la manera más divertida como encontré para canalizar cada uno de esos momentos que son tan importantes y no malgastarlos."

Blogging, writing, reporting on music and entertainment news can be fun and sometimes a lot of work.

There's a lot of folks - labels reps, promoters, readers, fans, supporters, etc, we have to thank for helping us out, and we also can't forget the readers, surfers and visitors who make our websites a regular stop.

Thank you all again.

Every now and then I run across a special or really cool website that we must share. This week it is Hispanictips.com. Webmaster Tomas does a masterful job of rounding up the very best in headlines in music, entertainment, politics, world, business, sports, etc. I go to this site a lot.

Check it out at this url: http://www.hispanictips.com. And spread the word about this site.

And here is a sample entertainment page from Hispanic Tips:

Blogante Entertainment: Hispanic y Latino News & Info (Noticias)

Blogante Entertainment Feed

Drill Down: View Blogante Entertainment News by State

"

Drill Down: View Blogante Entertainment stories in the following categories (this is a new feature some may be empty!)

Expanded View - with excerpts & sources
Latest 75 Headlines

Busca Thalía la reconciliación

Maná ya es de platino

Roselyn Sanchez will get married in November!

Denisse Oller Returns to Television

Cristián de la Fuente perseveres on ‘Dancing With the Stars’

TimesTalk Events with Leguizamo, Daniele, & Miranda - NYC

“Sounds Latino!” Exhibition at UCSB Accessible Via Telephone

Mayor Bloomberg and Latin Media and Entertainment Commission Announce New Efforts to Position New York City as the Center for Latin Media and Entertainment

Contemporary Latin musical “In the Heights” gets 13 Tony nominations

Alfredo De Quesada Actor to Watch and to Watch For

Coming up:
Concerts Calendar 4/13
Pee Wee interview: ''On MTV, single and launching a solo career"

(Courtesy) Joe Lopez, a recent CD cover.

Well, after we first reported on Joe Lopez condiiton in prison based on his brother Lorenzo Lopez, in this LNN report: Lorenzo Lopez: 'Joe Lopez is not doing good', several calls and emails came in.

Was ex-Mazz singer Joe Lopez really dying in prison?

And Joe's brother Lorenzo and his wife, Judy, also reported getting numerous call and e-mails from folks asking if Joe Lopez was really dying in prison.

According to Judy, "Everyone is suffering this situation. But to clarify, Joe Lopez is not dying. For the most part, he is in good spirits, considering where he is. But Lorenzo is his brother and you have to understand when it comes to family, it really hurts to see him (Joe) in there.

"We're asking everyone to please visit or website (www.justice4joelopez.org) and sign our petition. So far we have more than 500 signatures."

Further below, Movement founder Christina Hernandez explains movement progress and goals.

Otherwise, the first report is still accurate when it comes to Joe Lopez's hip problems and other matters. Currently, Joe Lopez is incarcerated at the Huntsville Prison System's Goree Unit in Huntsville, a 1,100-capacity unit that was established in 1907.

We recently met with Christina Hernandez, founder of the "Justice 4 Joe Lopez" campaign and Web site, www.justice4joelopez.org. Hernandez came across as a serious, dedicated individual who truly believes Joe Lopez is innocent. In just a few minutes, she quickly went down a big list of questionable court decisions and procedural rulings from that Joe Lopez case.

(Courtesy) Christina Hernandez, and Judy Ramos-Lopez, right at TMA Fan Fair at justice4joelopez booth.

Hernandez's business-like demeanor and tone of seriousness was a welcome, almost refreshing change in the music industry.

While most fans are easily impressed with the entertainment business, insiders know the business is full of it own crazies and fly-by-nights. And more than a few emails that we got, suggested that only loonies would be interested in getting Joe Lopez a new trial.

No one should dismiss the Joe Lopez case so easily.

History is full of innocent men who are wrongly accused and imprisoned. By most accounts, Joe Lopez was never a saint either. But Joe Lopez, like any other citizen, deserves his day in court and any and all appeals processes that are part of the justice system.

We're not here to defend or judge Joe Lopez, simply reporting what's happening with him, his family and his supporters who are seeking an appeal.

Joe Lopez was convicted in October 2006 on one count of indecency with a child and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The sentences were to run concurrent which means Joe Lopez is facing a 20-year sentence.

Hernandez had no illusions on the time and cost to be incurred during this appeal process and movement.

"This could take 15 years, we don't know," she said. "We're just going to work to bring to light all the questionable things (court case proceedings) that have happened. Most people don't believe or can't understand that innocent people can get jailed, until it happens to them or their family."

As promised last week here is the mailing address for Joe Lopez:
Jose Manuel Lopez TDC #01399866
Goree Unit
Huntsville, Texas 77344

**A word of caution. All incoming mail for prison system inmates is routinely screened. If authorities feel a letter is a threat to the inmate it will not be given to them. Sometimes a threatening letter may be investigated by law enforcement.

We'll have more updates later. More details at: www.justice4joelopez.org

Popular Mexican rock singer Alejandra Guzmán says she is now ready to ... trabajar en la rehabilitación de alcohólicos de escasos recursos.

Según la agencia Notimex, Guzmán anunció su participación en el 'Fondo de las Estrellas', fundación con la cual intentará ayudar a diversas instituciones benéficas con aportes de varios artistas, con especial énfasis en los problemas de alcoholismo en los sectores de escasos recursos.

In essence, Guzman wants to work with help agencies that work with people who are suffering from addictiions, especially  from alcohiolism.

Guzmán dijo: "Mucha gente no se atreve a pedir ayuda, pero lo que importa es que todo lo que se hace por apoyarlos es con amor y que me hayan tenido la confianza de creer en mí para este tipo de eventos".

Guzmán, quien confesó ser una adicta alcohólica en recuperación, se presenta esta semana ante 6 mil jóvenes en proceso de rehabilitación, los cuales no tienen los recursos para poder comprar un boleto y asistir al espectáculo.

La cantante agregó: "Para mí es un día inolvidable porque convivir con jóvenes en proceso de rehabilitación es gratificante".

Luego, la cantante destacó que como adicta y alcohólica ha tenido problemas, pero que sin embargo, hay una necesidad como ser humano de pedir ayuda, la cual es parte de su rehabilitación.

Also,in other news,...

Recent CDs that may be worth checking out include the latest by Natalie Lafourcade and Dezatados. These reviews below I wrote and ran in Latino Future magazine - http://www.latinofuture.com recently. 

Drop us a comment on these, or other CDs you found interesting.

CD reviews:

Natalia Lafourcade

"Las 4 estaciones del Amor"

Sony BMG

Natalia Lafourcade was only 8 when she began writing songs. Her self-titled debut CD, released in 2003, was musically similar to Shakira - driving rock tunes with reflective lyrics. But on this new CD, the singer/songwriter takes a radical detour. The CD is a four-track, all-instrumental, symphonic album featuring the Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil del Estado de Veracruz (Veracruz Symphonic Youth Orchestra). Lafourcade wrote all the music, directed and produced the CD. Each tune represents a season -- summer, fall, winter and spring -- and according to Lafourcade, the four stations of love. The music is by turns spacey, stark, melancholy and thrilling, and it seems to match the shifting emotions Lafourcade sees in the seasons. She sees summer as a dreamtime, fall a period of mixed emotion, winter as cold and spring as a time for new love and new colors.

Dezatados

"Con todo el Poder"

Univision

Young Duranguense band spreads it wings on its 12-track debut. Lead by singer Ismael Hernández, the group tackles a dance-friendly mix of norteño and Duranguense cumbias and polkas. But what stands out is the band's major reworking of Juan Luís Guerra's bachata classic "Bachata Rosa." The original romantic ballad, a smash hit for Guerra in the early '90s, has been transformed into a horn-fueled dance tune. Other top cuts include the group's version of Joan Sebastian's "El Maracas," and Pablo Milanes' "Si tu te vas," again reworking them with the fast-beat and exuberant horn power that distinguishes Duranguense music, a relatively new subgenre. Some faces in the seven-member Duranguense band may look familiar. Hernandez and several members of the group recently left Los Horoscopos de Durango, one of the hottest Duranguense bands on the scene.

SIX QUESTIONS: Urban rap group Orishas says their youthful mix of hip-hop, Afro-Cuban son and vocal harmonies rarely gets airplay - but singer Yotuel Romero says that doesn't bother them. Their latest CD is "Antidiótico."

This interview first ran in Latino Future - http://www.latinofuture.com 

So, is radio really not that important to you?

"I believe that good music, nothing can stop it. We would love to be on the radio like all the reggaeton bands, but they tell us Orishas is in a format of music that does not pass on the radio. And we're never going to produce music, just to get on radio."

So how do you expect your music to get heard on a major basis with minimal airplay?

"With a top quality and a cultural richness that is incredible. I think that is important, and the sound you hear in Orishas, you can't find anywhere else."

Today's music marketplace has online access, ringtones, and mobile digital distribution. Do you think that has helped the younger audience stay in touch with your music?

"Yes. That are a lot of people who follow us and that is why Orishas is here. It is like a cult, our music has a certain identity and it inspires many other new bands. I recently talked to Daddy Yankee and Pitbull and they super fans.

The new CD is a compilation of your previous works. How difficult was it to make the final selections?

"We (Yotuel, Roldan (Gonzalez) and Ruzzo (Hiram Riveri)) all agreed that we would each pick whatever 13 songs we wanted. And it turned out that coincidently, we had 12 songs in common. These songs marked the era for us, they marked the decade that has been Orishas."

Can your fans expect the group to continue it's  collaborations and musical mix that's on ""Antidiótico"?

"Yes. We're going to continue doing those things, playing the Cuban trova, the folk music. We're always looking for new sounds and new musical collaborations and more experimentation."

Coming up:
Jose Ruben De Leon hosts Mothers' Day Concert
Tejano Conjunto fest: Footstomping time

(Courtesy) Joe Lopez in another time

Famed Tejano singer Joe Lopez is not doing good in a the Huntsville prison says his brother Lorenzo Lopez.

"We're losing him...se esta muriendo," said Lorenzo, Joe's younger brother.

Joe Lopez, a former lead singer for Tejano group Mazz, has been in a Huntsville prison since he was convicted in October 2006 on one count of indecency with a child and two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The sentences were to run concurrent which mean Lopez is facing a 20-year sentence.

As reported in this Brownsville Herald new story,
Justice' campaign crusades for jailed Joe Lopez, recently, Lorenzo Lopez, and his wife Judy, have headed a new movement, the "Justice 4 Joe Lopez" campaign and Web site, www.justice4joelopez.org. According to the couple, so far they have collected some 400-plus signatures on a petition proclaiming his innocence.

Lopez's brother: 'Joe Lopez is not doing good'