One winning example is the gift from a young Tejano singer to his mother. Following in his father's footsteps, he produced a gift so emotionally powerful, it provided the inspiration for his first solo album. 

Emerging Tejano star Vicente “Chente” Barrera, grew up listening to the music of his father, Roberto "Pato" Barrera, the lead singer for the acclaimed David Lee Garza y Los Musicales (then known as David Lee Garza y su conjunto). Constantly within an arm's reach of the groups performances, Chente listened to and absorbed his father's style of Tejano music.  In fact, those familiar with the elder Barrera's music comment on how strikingly similar Chente's singing style is.  And Chente continued to pick up things from his father through attentive observation for another four years until, regrettably, Pato Barrera's life was cut short - victim of a homicide when Chente was 8. 
Left with an older sister and his mother, Chente continued to hang around Tejano musicians as the absence of his father served to spark his determination to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Inspired with a single-minded focus to become the best musician he could, he haunted recording studios while other bands recorded.  At a time when other kids his age were busy chasing girls and raising havoc, he was developing himself into a respected drummer whose "solid" sense of time attracted recognition among veteran musicians.  But at 16, as Chente was developing new techniques and emerging as a serious musician, he became especially cognizant of a void left by his father's untimely death.  The result was a new driving force in his life. 

It was at this moment Chente became driven to finding his father’s old recordings, something tangible to fill the distant memory of a youngster.  After searching relentlessly for five years, he located the vintage recordings of his father and the David Lee Garza conjunto. While expecting to pay hundreds for the tapes that had such sentimental value he was able to purchase them for only $80. 

Listening to the tapes and inspired by today’s technology which allowed "duets" between Hank Williams Jr. and Natalie Cole and their legendary parents, Chente felt the longing to record a similar "duet" with his father.  With the help of his friend/engineer Gilbert Velasquez, he cleaned up a particular song from those tapes. He layed down his own vocal track and mixed it in with the original tracks, creating a new recording that sounded as if father and son had actually sung a duet that crossed the ages. 

Holding off ‘til the Christmas holidays in the presence of his mother Chente casually popped in a cassette with the "duet”.  Noticing that his mother had not yet realized what she was listening to, Chente told her, "Keep listening."  Suddenly, she discovered it was Chente's voice singing along with his father's on the tape, and the full emotional impact hit her, causing her to break down in tears. This precious gift, composed of so much care and thought, brought more pleasure that any store-bought gift could have. 

Inspired by the magic of the moment he was determined to carry on his father's vision. Chente honed his skills even further, playing as a session drummer on more than 125 Tejano CDs. He immersed himself in his father's music while studying vintage recordings of standards covering every major genre: conjunto, country, jazz, and rock influences.  He also dedicated himself to song writing which he has found great success with. After recording a self-demo, he was signed by EMI Latin to produce his first solo project titled “Puro Taconazo” (Pure Soul). 

Chente ceased the opportunity to reunite the original members of David Lee Garza y Los Musicales to begin recording a new blend of the old “duet” song with the vigor and freshness of youth.  Released in July, “Celos” (Jealousies) is found on the final track of his CD, and serves as a reminder of Christmas past that had so much meaning for mother and son.  With final instrumental tracks in place, Chente rerecorded the “duet” with his father Pato Barrera knowing that this one song and these two voices shall forever burn in his soul… “live your dream”. 
 

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