“Teen’s Choice” was a two-hour after school English-language Mexican American Top 40 tunes program on KUKA. And Manuel Dávila Jr., Ricky Dávila and Gilbert Garza Villarreal were the three teenagers who hosted this popular dedication show.

Most important, the program which aired from 5 – 7 p.m. five days a week gave many local Chicano groups the necessary airplay and exposure required to create a hit record.

On the Mexican side, KCOR played Mexican music 24/7 and KUKA, Radio Fiesta, from sunrise-to-sunset. However, neither played locally produced music, especially tunes with English lyrics. There was no happy medium, nothing in between.

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(Photos by Ramón Hernández)

Patricia Pérez is a complete woman because she multi-talented wears many diverse hats and is more than one person.

Patricia, who comes from a loving close tight-knit home, was a first-grade student when she starting reading and was inspired by the marvelous world of poetry, especially that of Amado Nervo.

“It was when I was in the fifth grade and our teacher assigned us to write un cuento (a short story) that awoke my interest for literature; and that’s when I begin to write short stories and children’s poems,” the Monterrey, Nuevo León-native said during a telephone interview.

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As most people, brothers Tony and Mike Barragan have been keeping Mixed Company for decades. So when it came to name their band, it was a no brainer.

Their father, Johnny, played guitar with Los Tres Amigos and their mother, María, merely sang at home, but home is where most began to be shaped and molded. There were five brothers and two sisters in the family but only Mike and Tony took off where there father left off.

“As a result, I have been singing since I was five,” Tony said of his first musical influence.

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by Senior Airman Robert Hicks
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

7/31/2012 – DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — More than 400 Airmen returned from Southwest Asia July 25 and 26 to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, after being deployed six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.