Mando Martinez's Page

Amigos Y Amigas, Tejano music has and will always be one of the many inspirations of my life and for the most part for many other Mexican Americans in Texas and throughout the United States. A driving bass line, a steady drum beat coupled with exceptional musical instrumentation and arrangements with a sustaining, progressive and defined vocal is the true essence of our music. Influenced by many genres including jazz, rock, country and soul and all made intricate parts of our music. Generally, artists, record producers and record lable companies, radio personalities and radio station owners, promotors, industry awards shows, tejano convention organizations, Tejano internet websites and social networks like this and myspace are at the core of how our music is presented, distributed and marketed to the generations. Without each working in harmony to move our beloved music forward, fragmentation will dominate and our current and younger generations may not flourish in the continued develpment of our music both artistically and as consumers. This fragmentation could possibly causing a less desired effect on new artists and market gain. Making our music more widely accepated requires that lyrisist are found, given a chance and encouraged to write, to learn of copywrite requirements for proper registration of their work so that the new lyrics offered can create a larger base of songs enhancing growth. While most of our current artist both new and those that have been in the business over time continue to create musical arrangements with songs that have in the past been developed and recorded, using this format does not offer a new bases of songs and music being heard over the airwaves What other effort can be made to expose our music to greater markets. One thought is the use of english lryics in conjuction with spanish lrycis in a song. By considering this approach, our artists and those involved in our genre could in effect offer a broader form of music to a more diverse consumer. As bilingual Mexican Americans, the partial implementation of english lryics may become commonplace as our younger generations speak more english than spanish. Without our younger generations a part of continued devlopment, the gap that exist today vis a v those of us that enjoyed the music in our younger days and the lack of youth enjoying the muisc today. That mode of musical communication may offer a better understanding to those youth that may want to enjoy the music but do not understand what is truly being sung about or better yet for inclusion of all other english speaking cultures in order to fully promote the Tejano experience. Currently all parties involved in the Tejano movement/industry interact with the masses bilingually at venues, on radio, television, internet and general conversation. Conversely, artist should consider embracing every opportunity to create totally new songs with new lyrics so that the union of the lyrisist and artist continue the evolution. Moreover, artist should consider reinventing their presentation at the venue to gain broader acceptance in an effort to gain a greater market share. It may no longer be the norm to go dancing, enjoy the artist, drink and party and start the artist presentation at 10:30 pm as it may be to seek alternatives to attract Tejanos of all ages in an environment that is conducive to the promotion and well being of the true breed Mexican American musical experience considering inclusion of partiers and youth alike in balance with focus on the whole of Tejano. As a fan and late 60's and early 70's tejano musician, my efforts here in this opinion statement is to promote thought amongst all tejano's in an effort to find a balance between all that will further our culture and music. Disclamier, I wish only to show the quality of our artist and composers listed in my playlist. I do not intend to infringe in anyway on each of the artist or composers listed. If any artist or composers wishes for me to remove their song from the playlist, I will comply accordinlgy. Gracias for taking time to read this comment on my page Y Que Viva! "Tejano for the Ages".