™
IN LOVING MEMORY
OF SELENA
EMI Latin begins awarding
scholarships in the honored
artists loving name.
After a showcase in Las Vegas three
years ago, someone told Jose Behar, EMI
Latin's President, to stop thinking about
it. She was Tejano star Selena, and few
believed she could make it big in Latin
pop let alone ever crossover from Spanish.
They said the same thing in Miami. But
he persisted, continuing to believe in
Selena's crossover potential and he offered
her EMI Latin's unwavering support.
Behar always thought of her in terms of
crossing over, as a Latin artist, born and
raised in the United States. He always
knew Selena was destined to record in
English to show her talent to the non-Spanish
speaking American public.
Her career progressed systematically.
She never digressed and so her big dream
became a great reality. Not only did she
win a Grammy and many times The
Tejano Music Award. She also filled stadiums
and theaters while selling millions
of records.
The story of her successful career is
well-known:
In perspective, Selena's tragic death
marked 1995. Tragic and bitter though it
may be, it also marks the year in an alturistic
and imminently artistic way.
Those who follow Billboard, know
Selena won the most important awards in
the most significant categories. And this
would not have been possible without her
music's excellence and vision. All of her
record launchings were accomplished
with care, love, affection and good taste.
And this is how EMI Latin has followed
through in its commitment to preserve her
memory and her music.
"What's important is that we've done
what she would have liked us to do," said
Jose Behar, looking back these last couple
of months.
Another of Selena' 5 great accomplishments
is the establishment of the foundation "The
Selena EMI Scholarship Fund"
which will begin awarding student scholarships
in December. More than $300,000
has been raised via the sales of her music.
Each scholarship totals $2,500 a year,
for a total of four years, a grand total of
$10,000 per student. The scholarships will
be distributed nationally, in honor of Selena.
Valuable Opinion
"She was a sister. The Astrodome
rodeos will never be the same. We are
missing her terribly," said Tejano and
Country crossover star Emilio Navaira.
Commenting on the immense loss in a
year that will forever be marked by her
departure and the example that her music
and success leaves for the rest of us.
"She was a sister for the entire world. I
remember her in her songs, her voice, her
beauty. There will never be another
Selena. We did three of the biggest rodeos
in Houston's Astrodome. Tejano music
will never be the same either," adds the
artist, who considers the scholarship fund
in Selena's name to be "a magnificent
initiative."
After a showcase in Las Vegas three
years ago, someone told Jose Behar, EMI
Latin's President, to stop thinking about
it. She was Tejano star Selena, and few
believed she could make it big in Latin
pop let alone ever crossover from Spanish.
They said the same thing in Miami. But
he persisted, continuing to believe in
Selena's crossover potential and he offered
her EMI Latin's unwavering support.