LA MAFIA BEGINS SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR ON TELEVISION

HOUSTON-Grammy Award-winning Sony Discos recording artists La Mafia fly to Caracas, Venezuela this week for an appearance on "Maite," an international Spanish-language talk show that has begun to rival the "Cristina," show according to a recent article in VISTA Magazine. Taped before a live audience in Venezuela's UNIVISION studios, the program will be broadcast later this year. A popular television personality throughout Latin America, Maite will host an hour-long program featuring interviews with members of La Mafia as well and performances of several songs from their recent Grammy-winning album, Un Millon de Rosas and their newest release, En Tus Manos, an album that went platinum less than a week after its release in late June. Likened to the Rolling Stones in terms of their stature in the Tejano industry by a recent Austin-America Statesman article, La Mafia scores another historical first with their visit to South America. Never before has a band with origins in Texas been so successful on the international scene with music that spans a range from traditional Tex-Mex rancheras and tropical cumbias to lush pop ballads. "Every time we accomplish something like this, it's another dream come true," said Oscar De la Rosa, La Mafia lead vocalist and a founding member of the group. "I've always wanted to see South America, and I'm proud that we'll be the first to open doors there." The appearance on "Maite" precedes an actual tour of Paraguay and Argentina in December by La Mafia. Concert appearances are scheduled for Asuncion, Paraguay as well neighboring Ciudad del Este, Villa Elisa and Ciudad Nemby from December 4 through December 7. In Argentina, La Mafia will play several venues in Buenos Aires on December 12, 13 and 14. Promoter Oscar Flores says La Mafia's music is already familiar to audiences in those countries. Depending on the reception to live performances, says Flores, a return engagement is likely to include Bolivia.

November 4, 1997
Abel M. Salas
Telephone: 713.224.3203
Tejaztlan1@aol.com.