And the Tejano Music Awards Winners for 2010 are …

 Story and photos by Ramón Hernández

 

The 30^th Annual Tejano Awards have come and gone. However, the magical and nostalgia memories will remain engraved in the minds of everyone in attendance.

Starting out with the ladies first, Elida Reyna won “Female Vocalist” and Verónica Sustaita of Avance was voted “Best New Female Artist.” To top it off, her group, “Avance” won “Best New Group.”

Jay Pérez proved, for the umpteenth time, that he still holds the title as “The Voice” by winning “Male Vocalist.” A.J. Castillo took “Best New Male Artist” honors.

What could also be called the “show band of the year,” Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz were a shoo-in for “Entertainer of the Year.”

The kudos for the actual tunes and compact discs followed and the Hometown Boys won “Conjunto Album of the Year” with “Cargando La Bandera” and David Lee Garza y Los Musicales took the “Tejano Album of the Year” for “Aqui Estare.”

The coveted “Song of the Year” honors went to Raulito Navaira for “Bajo De Tu Sombra” and just as he finished performing the winning tune, his brother Emilio joined him onstage for what turned out to be the highlight of the evening.

The tribute to Latin Breed and a proclamation issued to La Mafia for their 30 years in music was a nice addition to the awards show.

There was the moving tribute to the Quintanilla Family, whose musical dynasty began during the early 1960s when Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Bobby Lira and Serafino “Sefe
 Perales enjoyed great success as Los Dinos to Selena and The Dinos, to A.B. and the Kumbia Kings and now his All Starz.

It was also good to see Lisa López and Elsa García were finally recognized during the tribute to the female pioneers of Tejano music – actually la onda chicana – at a time when Laura Canales reined as “Queen” of the genre. To many in attendance, this was the icing on the cake as the Three Divas: Elida, Shelly Lares and Stefani Montiel shone on “Si Quieres Verme Llorar,” “Ya Te Vi” and “Cuatro Caminos.”

Then there were the “Decade Ballot Winners” in which Joe López of Mazz was voted “Male Vocalist for the 1980s.” He’ll be elated to hear that. For the rest of the winners, they are all listed on the home page of www.tejanomusicawards.com.

Meanwhile enjoy a behind-the-scenes look of the awards on this page.

 

Here Here is the face behind the voice heard throughout the TMA Awards.       Paul Rodríguez rushes from his dressing room               Evelyn Reyes, of Panchito’s restaurant & Gibson Guitar’s rep                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Robert L. Treviٌno

American American Idol winner David Archuleta poses with Selena Elizondo of Campanas de América.  Living legend Tony “Ham” Guerrero, of Tortilla Factory fame, poses with         A.B. Quintanilla III fields questions from reporters                                                                                                                                                                                       Barbara Bemrich and Janie Esparza & his son, Antonio and his    daughter                                                                                                                                                  daughter Marilyn keep his motorized wheels secured.

        Jan Alva, Nina Díaz and Phanie Díaz of Girl in A Coma wowed the audience with their tribute to Selena. M.Salgado awaits in the wings.                              Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros and former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros obliged                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    obliged Alberto  “Alegre” Calvo with a photo op.

   Natajja   (Gómez) of Las Cruces, New Mexico stopped to pose for several fans                         Danny Trejo scoping out Paul                                                                  Backstage with Ram Herrera, Pete Astudillo, Ricardo Castillon and Joe Sánchez of The Dinos

              La Mafia cut a promo for Mando San Roman’s McAllen, Texas-based television program                                                                    Da Krazy Pimpz – need we say more.                                                                                                              

Chrissi of Chicas de Canela                                                                                                                                                         David Marez cut his hair, dressed up as Jackie Chan and struck a kung fu pose.

Steve Salas of Tierra                         Jay (the Voice) Perez                                                   Rudy Salas of Tierra