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ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL
November 2015
FREE / GRATIS
INSIDE: ARTICLES ON LATINO ART, MUSIC,
CULTURE, HEALTH AND BUSINESS
Remmy Valenzuela nominado en la categoría
del Mejor álbum norteño por Latin GRAMMY®
Rubén Ramos & The Mexican Revolution
Continue To Gather Music Awards
Tejana Singer Elida Reyna
Elida Reyna Won Female Vocalist of the Year and the Album of the Year
David Roland Rodriguez Garza,
folk music singer, performer and poet,
passed away on October 26.
David
was born on
January 1,
1952, in
Houston,
Texas, and was
raised there.
David’s
paternal roots
lay in Mexico,
and his
mother’s older
sister, Eva
Garza,
recorded for Decca Records during the
1950s. At the age of two, he contracted
polio and as a result, Rodriguez has
worn a leg brace and walked with a cane
ever since. Because his mobility was
restricted, his parents bought him a
guitar. By the age of fourteen, David
was playing in a rock band, a year later
in a folk group, and by the close of his
teens, was the pianist in an avant-garde
ensemble.
His early musical influences
included Lightnin’ Hopkins, Townes Van
Zandt, Lydia Mendoza, and Jerry Jeff
Walker. By his early twenties, David
was a law and economics graduate, now
based in Austin, where he spent well
over the next decade playing music in
Texas listening rooms. In 1984 deciding
to spend more time with his young
family, David gave up playing music
and joined an Austin law practice. A
political activist during 1990, Rodriguez
ran for a seat in the Texas state legisla-
ture, but failed to secure victory.
The same year, on May 31, in the
now-defunct Austin club, Chicago
House, David recorded the self released
cassette Man Against Beast. During
September the following year, at
Anderson Fair in Houston, a club made
famous by the Nanci Griffith song, Spin
On A Red Brick Floor, Rodriguez
recorded his show and self-released it on
cassette early the following year as
Avatars, Angels And Ashes. The
recording featured the fiddle playing of
David’s then twelve-year-old daughter,
Carrie Luz Rodriguez.
His daughter Carrie has become a
nationally recognized artist. David’s
sister, Leticia Rodriguez, is also a well
known singer based in Austin.
Released by the now-defunct,
South Texas-based Dejadisc label, The
True Cross [1992] featured the Man
Against Beast cassette, plus a bonus live
track - that featured a duet vocal with
Lucinda Williams.
Landing 92, a Swiss Brambus label
release was
composed of ten
tracks. The
Friedens Angel,
Rodriguez’s second
Brambus release,
appeared in 1994
featuring four
songs recorded live
in Chur, Switzer-
land, during
May1993.
Forgiveness
was a 1994
cassette-only release on World Records and
was recorded in Austin. Third Coast Music,
an Austin monthly music magazine, voted
Rodriguez the Best Texas Songwriter for
three consecutive years beginning in 1992.
Rodriguez decided to settle in The
Netherlands in 1994 and lived there until
his death.
During January 1995, in the Dutch
town of Eindhoven, David recorded Proud
Heart and the collection was produced by
Dutch songwriter Ad Van Meurs aka The
Watchman. Continental Records Services,
the European subsidiary of Rounder
Records, released the collection in Europe
later that year on the Continental Song City
label. The liner credited the recording to
Rodriguez.
That same year David performed at
the 1995 Kerrville Folk Festival.
In 1998, when Lyle Lovett recorded
Step Inside This House, his two-CD
tribute to singer-songwriters who were born
or based themselves in Texas, he included
Rodriguez’s Ballad Of The Snow Leopard
And The Tanqueray Cowboy. The song
also appeared on the soundtrack to the
Lawrence Kasdan movie Mumford [1999].
During late 2004 Rodriguez self-
released the recording The Lonesome
Drover, and the collection was produced by
Dutch singer-songwriter J. W. Roy.
David Rodriguez shared stages with
Nanci Griffith, Dar Williams, Ani Di
Franco, Eric Taylor, Michelle Shocked, and
Lyle Lovett and many other nationally
recognized artists. He was well respected
and recognized by musicians throughout the
world and they all would have agreed with
Lucinda Williams who referred to David as
a “musical genius.”
A memorial service will held in
Austin, on Friday, January 1, 2016 at 2 pm.
The service will be held at the Sahara
Lounge, 1413 Webberville Road.
Source: Leticia Rodriguez, Wikipedia
and www.davidrodriguez.nl/music
Musician David Rodriguez Garza Dies
The Texas Talent Musicians
Association (TTMA), producers of
the 35th Annual Tejano Music
Awards (TMA) held the gala event
on Saturday, October 24th at the
Tobin Center of the Performing
Arts in San Antonio. The awards
were hosted by the comedian
Efrain “Happy” Guerrero.
The Special Lifetime
Achievement Award was given to
Austin based Ruben “El Gato
Negro” Ramos and from Edinburg,
Roberto “El Primo” Pulido. The
pioneers in the industry are known
for their originality that spear-
headed the growth of Tejano music
in the 20th century.
The following are the
winners in each category, as voted
upon by the Tejano Industry mem-
bers and fans: Siggno had four
wins, including Song of the Year,
Te Llevare; Album of the Year –
Norteño - Zodiacal and their
vocalist, Jesse Turner, won in both
the Male Vocalist of the Year and
Entertainer of the Year categories.
The Texas Talent Musicians Association Announces Winners
Elida Reyna won in two categories,
including Female Vocalist of the
Year and the Album of the Year –
Tejano - Al Fin Completa (Elida
Reyna y Avante), and shared one as
Vocal Duo of the Year - Elida
Reyna & Jay Perez for Siempre
Seras Para Mi.
The remaining four catego-
ries include: Album of the Year –
Conjunto- El Siguiente Capitulo –
The Hometown Boys; Best New
Artist – Male - Juan Jose
Rodriguez (Bajo Zero); Best New
Artist – Female - Yvonne Ramos
(Yvonne Ramos y Grupo Fuego)
and Best New Artist – Group -
Grupo Imagen.
Among the top nominees in
several categories is Austin’s A J
Castillo who was nominated as
Entertainer of the Year, Tejano
Album of the Year for Sin Limites
and also Male Vocalist of the Year.
For more information visit
the official TMA website
www.tejanomusicawards.com.
ARRIBA-11/5-11/12/15 pg2
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Request media kit:
ARRIBA-11/5-11/12/15 pg.3
Originario de Guasave,
Sinaloa, Remmy Valenzuela
(Remigio Alejandro Valenzuela
Buelna) de 24 años de edad, sigue
cosechando el éxito dentro del
género competido del Regional
Mexicano. Valenzuela es uno de
los intérpretes más conocidos de
este género, por su talento, voz y
su destreza con el acordeón. Es lo
que lo ha llevado a recibir varios
reconocimientos por sus obras
musicales, incluyendo Mi Vida En
Vida, De Alumno A Maestro
(2014) y Te Olvidaré (2013) en
Fonovisa / Universal Music Group.
La Academia Latina de la
Grabación® anunció las
nominaciones para la 16a. entrega
anual del Latin GRAMMY® y
Valenzuela está nominado en la
categoría del Mejor álbum norteño
por el disco, Mi Vida En Vida.
“El grupo de nominados de
este año verdaderamente
personifica y representa una
comunidad musical latina
internacional considerablemente
diversa, ecléctica e integral, que es
un testimonio del proceso de
votación de La Academia Latina de
la Grabación”, dijo Gabriel Abaroa
Jr., Presidente/CEO de La
Academia Latina de la Grabación.
“Con tantos profesionales de la
música que participan en el
proceso de adjudicación, es
gratificante ver a tantos creadores,
artistas y productores que obtienen
el reconocimiento de sus colegas.
Con esta lista de nominados los
Latin GRAMMYs® están seguro
de tener una de las celebraciones
más grandes de la música latina
hasta el momento”.
Un par de temas cual
forman parte de su nuevo álbum de
banda, Mi Princesa, son ¿Por Qué
Me Ilusionaste? (original de Brian
Sandoval y a la venta en iTunes),
junto con la canción norteña de
nombre Caricias Clandestinas,
próximo va a salir en México y
Estados Unidos en noviembre.
Valenzuela forma parte de
la nueva generación de música
Regional Mexicana y es
galardonado con el premio
‘Revelación Juvenil’de Premios
Juventud 2015, y fue nominado
para los Premios Bandamax de
México en la categoría de ‘Artista
o Grupo Revelación’, los cuales se
llevaron a cabo el 11 de agosto. En
abril, fue finalista para el Billboard
Latin Award.
El joven sigue siendo un
soñador realista, trabajador,
creativo y perseverante, siempre
enfrentando el próximo reto y
visualizando su futuro repleto de
éxito y disfrutando junto con su
público la música que él les
entrega.
La 16a. Entrega Anual del
Latin GRAMMY® está
programada para el jueves, 19 de
noviembre, en el MGM Grand
Garden Arena en Las Vegas. Será
transmitida en vivo por la cadena
Univision de 8-11 p.m. hora Este/
Pacífico (7 p.m. Centro). Para más
informes, www.latingrammy.com
FUENTE: Latin Grammy,
Fonovisa Records
Remmy Valenzuela nominado en la categoría
del Mejor álbum norteño por Latin GRAMMY®
Com-
munity Altars:
Ofrendas
Inspired from
the States of
Mexico,
coincides with
the Mexic-Arte
Museum’s 32nd
Annual Cel-
ebration of Día
de los Muertos
(the Day of the
Dead).
This
year’s exhibi-
tion which runs
through No-
vember 22nd
features artists,
community
groups, and
individuals who created commemo-
rative altars inspired by the various
states of Mexico (highlighting
Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco,
Michoacán, Oaxaca, Puebla, San
Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Mexico D.F.,
and Coahuila). Each region has its
own nuances and unique customs on
the celebration; the altars on display
visually highlight regional and
cultural differences among the
various Mexican states.
Día de los Muertos is an
ancient, Mexican and Mexican
American religious holiday with a
historically rich traditionthat inte-
grates both pre-Columbian and
Catholic customs. It is often cel-
ebrated on November 1 and 2
in connection with the Catholic Holy
Days of All Saints’ Day and All
Souls’ Day (dates and length of the
celebration vary by state or region).
In the celebrants’ minds, the holiday
is a time to honor and greet their
deceased relatives and friends, who
make the journey back from Mictlan
(the underworld in Aztec culture) to be
with the living each year. These days
are a time for families and friends to
gather in celebration of life and death,
embracing the circle of life rather than
loss and sorrow.
Finally, the Mexic-Arte Mu-
seum staff collaboratively worked to
create an Austin altar dedicated to
individuals who have contributed to the
museum over the past 31 years. Tradi-
tional and contemporary interpretations
of Day of the Dead folk art by Mexican
artists are displayed throughout the
gallery.
These creations evidence the
impact of Day of the Dead celebrations
upon artistic culture beyond the tradi-
tion of altar making.
Mexic-Arte Museum acknowl-
edges and thanks all the individuals
participating in the exhibition, for
sharing their traditions and generously
working on the altars on display.
Community Altars: Ofrendas Inspired
from the States of Mexico
Se Busca Repartidores
Para Applicar:
ARRIBA-11/5-11/12/15 pg.4
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Request media kit: [email protected]
Veladoras * Perfumes
Inciennsos * Hierbas
1201 East 7th Street
Tel(512)472-0675
La Cantante Natalia
Lafourcade Leonel Garcia encabeza
la lista con seis nominaciones,
seguido por Natalia Lafourcade
concinco.Grabacion Del Año
“Hasta La Raiz” Natalia
Lafourcade;Album Del Año Hasta
La Raiz NataliaLafourcade;
Cancion Del Año [Premio Al
Compositor(es)] “Hasta La Raiz”
Leonel Garcia & Natalia Lafourcade,
compositores (Natalia Lafourcade)
Mejor Album De Musica
Alternativa Hasta La Raiz Natalia
Lafourcade; - Leonel Garcia &
Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters
(Natalia Lafourcade)
Natalia nacio el 26 de
febrero de 1984 en la Ciudad de
Mexico.Sin pasar por el proceso
regular de la preparatoria, entro a la
escuela de musica Fermatta para
estudiar guitarra, despues piano y
finalmente a canto. En Fermatta
conocio a personas que le aportaron
referencias musicales que se
convertiri an en algunas de sus
influencias: Bjork, Jamiroquai, Fiona
Apple, Tori Amos, The Cardigans,
Ella Fitzgerald, Radiohead y a PJ
Harvey, entre muchos otros.
En Boston, asistio a un
programa de entrenamiento musical
y elaboro 25 canciones que al volver
grabocon la ayuda de un amigo.
Formo una banda con Juan
Manuel Torreblanca, uno de los
responsables de sus nuevas
adquisiciones musicales, de nombre
indigo, una especie de jazz
progresivo que la hizo considerar
enfocar su carrera como solista.
Tres años despues tuvo la
oportunidad de ser parte de una
banda de pop rock firmada por Sony,
pero al no identificarse con la
agrupacion, rechazo la oferta. El
acercamiento a la disquera le abrio
la oportunidad de mostrar lo que en
realidad queri a hacer. Logro
llevarles demos que le consiguieron
un contrato.
En Italia grabo con Loris
Ceroni y con Aureo Baqueiro y
editaron el disco Natalia Lafourcade
en el 2002.Entre giras, patrocinios y
fama en compani a de La Forquetina
y formaron una banda. Juntos grabaron
Casa, editado en el 2005.Despue s de 5
anos continuos hasta ese punto, llenos
de tributos, musica para peliculas, sus
propias canciones y multiples
actividades, tomo un descanso. En el
2006 partio a Ottawa, Canada, y en
donde se hospedaba fue una casa repleta
de musicos y recibi a musica distinta y
atractiva constantemente. El primer
resultado de esta nueva etapa fue el
disco instrumental Las Cuatro
Estaciones del Amor, y lo grabo en el
mismo ano con Eduardo Bergallo,
conocido por sus trabajos con Cerati y
Juana Molina.
Simultaneamente concibio 13
canciones que conforman su album HU
HU HU (2009), de manera que ambos
discos comparten inspiraciones,
pensamientos, reflexiones, despertares y
el renacimiento de la autora y fue
nominado al Grammy Latino y Ameri-
cano.Durante este tiempo, tambien
presto su voz para doblar la pelicula
animada El Gato con Botas y realizo
la musica de la serie de television Locas
de Amor, que logro un gran exito. Ha
producido musicalmente a artistas como
Carla Morrison y Ximena Sarinana. Al
lado de Ely Guerra, Lo Blondo y
Londra de la Parra.
El quinto disco de su carrera,
Mujer Divina – Homenaje a Agustín
Lara incluye 13 temas en audio y 10 en
video con colaboraciones de artistas
como Gilberto Gil, Vicentico, Miguel
Bose, Lila Downs, Adrian Dargelos
(Baba sonicos), Meme (Cafe Tacuba),
Leon Larregui (Zoe), Leonardo de
Lozanne, Leonel Garcia y Kevin
Johansen, entre muchos otros.
Natalia Lafourcade encabeza la lista en
Latin Grammy con seis nominaciones
ARRIBA-11/5-11/12/15 pg.5
la botánica
GREEN & WHITE
ARRIBA-11/5-11/12/15 pg.6
Jorge Chapa, a former profes-
sor at UT Austin died unexpectedly
on Monday, October 19th.
Professor Chapa joined
University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign in 2011, after having
served as the director of the Center
on Democracy in a Multiracial
Society on the Urbana-Champaign
campus.
While he received his PhD
from the University of California-
Berkeley in Sociology, Jorge
considered himself a demographer
with a policy bent. He was widely
published on the subjects of Latino
policy issues and demographic
trends and their political implica-
tions.
His seminal 2004 book on
Latino immigration to the Mid-
west, Apple Pie and Enchiladas
(co-authored with Ann V. Millard
on the University of Texas Press) is
the standard treatment of one of the
most important political and
demographic changes to the region
in the past generation.
He was the author, editor, co-
author or co-editor of twelve
books, along with publishing
fifteen refereed journal articles and
eighteen book chapters.
Jorge was also very much
involved in the scholarship of
public engagement, writing for and
speaking to a wide range of non-
academic audiences in Illinois and
around the country. In particular,
he worked on many voting rights
court cases and spoke frequently
about the use of data in these cases.
At IGPA, Jorge contributed to
the policy conversation in Illinois
on these subjects in these past four
years through public writing,
speaking to groups, and working
with state agencies and legislative
groups.
This academic year, he was
the co-principal investigator of the
Race and Inequality Policy Initia-
tive. In this Initiative, Jorge was
working with the Illinois Board of
Higher Education to assess and
improve their tracking of members
of racial and ethnic minority
groups in undergraduate and
graduate education in the state’s
colleges and universities.
He was also involved at the
campus level in initiatives to
improve the representation and
success of such students in higher
education.
Jorge’s cheerful demeanor,
positive attitude, and willingness to
help will be greatly missed by the
many people he met.
The Travis Appraisal Review Board is seeking individuals toserve as members of a citizen review board. Members must beimpartial and have the ability to listen,exercise good judgementand follow the strictures of the Texas Property Tax Code. Membersare appointed by the Travis County Local Administrative Judgeserve two year terms. Must be a current resident of Travis Countyand have lived in the County for at least two years. Must be available to work Monday – Friday and Saturday ifneeded. Hours may vary but will generally be between the hoursof 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Members receive per diem pay of up-to $140.00 for a fullday.For more information or to download application visithttp://traviscad.org/arb.html Questions may be directedto:[email protected] by calling the taxpayer liaison, Mr. Henry Johnson, at 512-834-9317 x 582. Deadline to apply November 30, 2015
Seasonal Contract Employment
Appraisal Review Board Members
Full/Part Time May – September 2016
Jorge Chapa, Former Professor
at the University of Texas, Dies
ARRIBA-11/5-11/12/15 pg.7
Travis County Purchasing Office is located at 700 Lavaca
Street, Suite 800, Austin, Texas, Ph: (512) 854-9700 or
Fax: (512) 854-9185. Please visit our web page at
www.traviscountytx.gov/purchasing/solicitation.asp for all
current bid solicitations.
CYD V. GRIMES, C.P.M., CPPO
COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT
TRAVIS COUNTY WANTS
TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU
City of Austin
Purchasing Office
The City of Austin Purchasing Office invites you to view current
bid solicitations at http://www.austintexas.gov/purchase/vs/p4.htm.
Vendors are encouraged to register on-line in the City’s Vendor Self
Service System. Once your company is registered, you will receive
notifications about new bid opportunities. For additional
information regarding current bid opportunities or Vendor
Registration, please call the Purchasing Office at 512-974-2500.
For information on the City of Austin’s Minority Owned and
Women-Owned Procurement Program and the certification
process, please contact the Small & Minority Business Resources
Department at 512-974-7600 or visit their website at http://
www.austintexas.gov/smbr.
Send a letter to The Editor at:
"Quiero ser un buen cirujano ensalas de emergencia en zonas de bajosrecursos, donde viven personas quecomo yo andaba en las calles", explicóJames Maciel, quien se graduó esteaño en la Universidad de California enLos Ángeles (UCLA). Maciel trabajaahora como médico residente en eldepartamento de cirugía del CentroMédico Harbor UCLA, entidad queatiende un alto el número de heridospor violencia callejera en el sur de LosÁngeles y donde los especialistas loentrenan para ser cirujano.
"Es una gran bendición para míser ya un médico, porque a mí medispararon pandilleros en la calle, perono me cayó ni un balazo", recordó delos días en los que solía pintar paredescon grafiti.
El médico agradece haber tenidola oportunidad de estudiar medicinagracias a una beca y busca en el futuroimpulsar un proyecto de apoyo aheridos por violencia entre pandillas.
"¿De qué sirve que en el hospitallos suturemos y después losregresamos al barrio donde lesalimentan deseos de venganza?", sepreguntó este médico californiano de34 años.
Precisó que la manera deintervenir ese ciclo de violencia, quelleva muchas veces a la muerte, esproveerles a los pandillerosoportunidades de estudio, trabajo yllevarlos, incluso, a vivir a otrovecindario.
Maciel recuerda también los seismeses de cárcel que pasó en 1997 porportar un arma y andar pintando lasparedes en las calles junto con amigosde una escuela secundaria de SantaAna. "La que me hizo recapacitar fuemi esposa Priscilla, con quien hoytenemos tres hijos, porque me dijo queme iba a dejar cuando tenía el primerniño y estaba embarazada delsegundo", recordó Maciel. "Yo la amoy como soy pintor mi papá meconsiguió trabajo pintando anuncios;
cuatro años después con Priscillacomenzamos a estudiar en el colegiocomunitario", recordó.
Maciel fue becado por elprograma de liderazgo "Prime" deUCLA, en el que estudiantes demedicina sirven en hospitales decomunidades de bajos recursos algraduarse. "No pueden dejar que loserrores del presente definan quienesserán en el futuro", aconseja Maciel alos jóvenes bajo riesgo de pandillas enlas calles de Estados Unidos.
"Donde yo crecí nadie pensabaen estudiar en la universidad, me costógraduarme, pero hoy soy médico. ¿Siyo pude, porqué tú no?", se preguntóel doctor de origen mexicano.
Agregó que cuando comenzó aestudiar, también pensó en combinarlocon su otro deseo de ser capellán "paraapoyar a mis pacientes dándolesesperanza de vida". Christian DeVirgilio, presidente interino deldepartamento de cirugía de Harbor-UCLA, dijo que lo logrado por Maciel"es único".
"Él vino de un fondo dedesventaja y era un padre cuandotodavía era un adolescente", subrayó."No solo ha logrado graduarse de unade las escuelas de medicina másimportantes del país, sino que fueaceptado en una residencia en cirugíamuy competitiva", señaló elespecialista originario de Argentina.
Por su parte, Priscilla Maciel,graduada en sicología de laUniversidad Estatal de California enFullerton, dijo que "significamuchísimo ver que James ya esmédico".
"Toda la comunidad está muyorgullosa de él, porque es un buenejemplo para los jóvenes", agregó. "Alas novias o esposas de jóvenes ensituaciones duras sólo les aconsejoque siempre estén ahí cuando lasnecesitan, el amor es clave paraayudarlos", concluyó.
James Maciel es buen ejemplo para los jóvenes
ARRIBA-11/5-11/12/15p.8
Austin based RubénRamos & The MexicanRevolution are among theTexas musical artists nomi-nated for a Latin Grammy inthis year’s list of talent. Theband is up for the award fortheir recent production, ElÍdolo De Tejas, (RevolutionRecords). The awards will betelecast on November 19thfrom Las Vegas.
The Tejano MusicAwards held last month alsorecognized Ramos with thewell deserved LifetimeAchievment Award in SanAntonio, along with RobertoPulido.
Born in Sugarland, Texas, RubenPerez Ramos now sits at the helm of afamily musical legacy borne over 80 yearsago. This legacy - El Legado - is set withtraditional Mexican roots, was infusedwith the big-band sound of the 1940s,heavily influenced by blues and rock, andis now perched at the pinnacle of LaOnda: Tejano.
The Ramos musical legacy began inpost-World War I Texas. Ruben's unclesbegan performing just after World War I in1919 as Juan Manuel Perez and theSerenaders (Los Serenateros). Between1919 and 1941, the Serenaders eventuallyincluded all nine of Ruben's uncles. At thestart of World War II, five of the Perezbrothers went into the military. Ruben'sgrandmother proudly displayed the smallbanner with five stars representing fivesons in service during the war. TheSerenaders took a break.
Meanwhile, Ruben's father, AlfonsoRamos Sr., worked the cotton fields andthe railroads; he also played the fiddlewhile his mother, Elvira Perez, played theguitar at family gatherings.
At the end of World War II, Ruben'suncles returned to take up the legacy.Uncle Justin re-formed the band as JustinPerez and His Ex-GIs. In a few years, theyhad established themselves as topnotch,big-band orchestra in the 1940s, completewith sit-down horns, music stands, darksuits and ties, and a sound consistent withthe times.
This was the beginning of the endfor any regular day-job for Ruben and hisfive siblings. When Inez, Elijio, Alfonso,Ruben, Joe and Roy came along, pickingcotton was the way of the world - help thefamily, pay the bills - but the musicallegacy would not wait long. These kids
had "talento,"Ruben's sister Inez had joined the
band as singer in 1947. Then, in his earlyteens, Ruben's older brother AlfonsoRamos Jr. joined their uncle's group. Inthe mid 1950s, the band then became theAlfonso Ramos Orchestra. Ruben contin-ued with the band on weekends, increas-ingly singing English cover R&B tunes,even as he landed a "good job" with thestate insurance department. Now, all fiveRamos brothers - Alfonso, Elijio, Ruben,Joe and Roy - were performing. As theorchestra's drummer, Ruben performedthroughout the 1960s with Alfonso's band.The band played a mix of tunes, from chachas and cumbias, to boleros andrancheras. Ruben provided the vocals andthe push to many of the English songs theband played.
In 1969, Ruben's brother Roy madea move to spread the Ramos' familylegacy. In a short time, Ruben joined himas the new band's front man. BrotherAlfonso's orchestra was at the top of itsgame and Ruben was in a position tomaximize the talent available from theRamos brothers. He formed what wouldbecome the "Next Level' of the familylegacy - the Mexican Revolution. But healso faced a major crossroad in his career.It was time to either quit music or go intoit full time. To do anything less wouldmean being relegated to the minor leaguesforever. Fortunately for Ramos, andperhaps the industry, he jumped in fullforce and never looked back. The nameMexican Revolution was picked, Rubenexplained in later interviews, because,among other reasons, the '70s saw theemergence of the Chicano and civil rightsmovements.
During that period, the band playedthe Chicano circuit that ran from Dallas-
Fort Worth to the Rio Grande Valley,recording a number of albums on a seriesof independents. By 1981, "Tejano" hadbecome the new term for the music andRuben changed the band name to theTexas Revolution because he felt Tejanoswere getting an identity in Texas.
In 1985, Alfonso and Rubenreunited for a series of albums thatincluded Back to Back, Again. In 1987,Alfonso and Ruben were named bestvocal duo at the 1987 Tejano MusicAwards. By this time, Ramos had scoredwith the regional hit "El Gato Negro"(The Black Cat), which also became hisnickname.
In the '90s Ruben continued playingwith a live horn section, eschewing thetrend by many bands to substitute synthe-sizers and keyboards. "I'm a horns man"explains Ruben. "There ain't nothing likea wall of sound, real sound, coming atyou". This characterizes the sound of ElGato: true horns, real drums with crashingcymbals, accordion so real you can hearthe clicks of the buttons - all delivered bythe master musicians of the Texas Revolu-tion. Ruben's performances are alsopunctuated by sheer presentation. TheTejano uniform of jeans and starchedshirts is cool, but it ain't El Gato's style."Ruben Ramos looks more like a senatorthan a musician" wrote one reporter.Ruben humbly states that people workhard all week, then they spend their hard-earned money to go hear a great concert."If they can spend their money to hear me,then I can dress for them. I owe Tejanofans that respect." says Ruben.
In January 1998, Ruben and theRevolution were inducted into the
prestigious Pura Vida Hall of Fame. InMarch 1998, Ruben was inducted into theTejano Music Awards Hall of Fame. Onawards night, Ruben insisted his bandperform live; all performances by otherartists were lip synched (the awards werebeing video taped for TV broadcast - lipsynching cut down on mistakes). Awardsorganizers agreed to have Ruben performlive with his band, but they would have tobe the last award of the night. Ruben andthe Revolution performed - live - to a still-full arena at 1:15 a.m. Later in 1998,Ruben teamed with David Hidalgo andCesar Rosas (of Los Lobos), rocker JoeEly, country legend Freddy Fender,accordion master Flaco Jimenez, andcountry crooner Rick Trevino to form LosSuper Seven. Los Super Seven's self-titled CD earned them a Grammy awardfor Best Mexican American Performanceat the 1999 Grammy Awards. In April of1999, Ruben and the Revolution receivedthe Best Male Vocalist and Video of theYear awards at the Tejano Music Awards.
Changing the band's name back toThe Mexican Revolution, Ruben Ramoscontinues to spread the word about Tejanomusic. Ruben released the CD Reloadedand many more over the last ten years.
Accolades from the music industryand the fans overwhelming indicate thetalent and style of this legendary artist hasthrived over the extensive multi-decadecareer.
The cool and smooth sound of oneof the hottest horn sections in Texas, theselection of songs, combined withRuben's distinct and sincere voice,continues to be an incomparable legacy.
Rubén Ramos & The Mexican Revolution
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