August 18, 1997

HOUSTON - Before an exclusive, invitation-only crowd, La Mafia-Houston's Grammy Award-winning supergroup-dazzled members of the audience with an intimate live concert offered as part of a Grammy Award installation ceremony.

In an unprecedented move, La Mafia presented the Houston Hard Rock Cafe with a Grammy statuette after a brief introduction organized in conjunction with the Grammy presentation. The prestigious accolade, handed to members of La Mafia at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards held in New York's Madison Square Garden earlier this year in recognition of their 1996 album Un Millón de Rosas, will rest in a specially prepared display case on view to Hard Rock patrons for a period of six months.

"We're excited to be here tonight," said La Mafia lead vocalist before a capacity crowd of radio station contest winners, international media and music industry professionals. "This Grammy belongs to all of you."

Accepting the Grammy Award on behalf of the Hard Rock Cafe, General Manager Robin Giordano voiced her pleasure and excitement at being the first Hard Rock Cafe world-wide to exhibit an actual Grammy statue.

"The Hard Rock family here in Houston is honored that La Mafia has chosen to share this moment with us. The Grammy Award is the music industry's most important symbol of recognition," said Giordano. "And we know that La Mafia's popularity goes well beyond national and international borders. So we are extremely pleased to host this show tonight as we accept the statue."

Mafia fans were next treated to a powerhouse performance by the six member musical outfit. Joining La Mafia on stage, at one point during an extended set, for a stirring duet with De la Rosa was Los Palominos lead vocalist and guitar player James Arreola.

The song, titled "Ya No Existe" (It No Longer Is) highlighted a concert that also featured two stunning numbers performed in English and resurrected from the early La Mafia recording repertoire, "Hurt" and "Try Me."

Taking a moment to dedicate a song to his mother, De la Rosa was visibly moved by the love and gratitude being showered on the band by long-time fans. The private concert at the Hard Rock marked the first Houston appearance for La Mafia in almost two years.