Tejano Music Awards:
Tejano Crossover - Fijate Que No
Song of the Year - Tu Amiga
Most Promising Band
Female Entertainer
Female Vocalist
Tejano / Norteqo

Tejano Entertainment & Music Association:
Song of the Year - Tu Amiga
Best New Artist
Best Female Entertainer
Best Tejano Album (Group)
Best Mariachi Song by Tejano Artist
Best Female Vocalist

Other performance:

12/18 Friday, Xmas Party in Eagle Pass
12/19 Sat, KSEY Xmas Party in Wichita Falls - KSEY (1230 AM)

SAN ANTONIO(Dec. 3) -- La Mafia, one of the hottest Tejano outfits in the '90s, formally announced its retirement in a news conference today in Houston.

In a prepared statement, bandmembers noted that while an eventual reunion is possible, it's last concerts will be the ones the band is committed to, in its remaining scheduled bookings for 1999.

Lead singer Oscar De La Rosa said part of the breakup was in part because bandmembers were tired of touring constantly and they reached a point in their careers where they are ready to explore different interests.

In the band's 20-year career, they have won two Grammys in the Mexican/Tejano category and recorded several top-selling Latin/Tejano albums.

La Mafia was founded in 1978 in Houston when older brother Henry Gonzales Jr. helped his teenage brothers Oscar and Leonard form first Los Mirasoles. Through Gonzales' guidance, the fledgling outfit evolved on a series of albums on independent labels. But it was on the powerful independent label Cara Records, owned by industry veteran Robert Grever, that La Mafia emerged in the late '80s as a powerhouse along with labelmates Mazz.

La Mafia then began a metamorphosis towards a keyboard-driven/pop ballad group in the early '90s on the Sony Discos label. That period saw la Mafia's best-selling CDs including "Estas Tocando Fuego," and "Ahora y Siempre."

Henry Gonzalez left the group in 1993 and in 1996 Oscar changed his last name to De La Rosa. At the time Oscar told the Houston Chronicle the name change was to go "with the band's new longterm strategy."

Officials said at the time, the group might record an English-language pop album. Sony Discos label manager Ray Martinez said the CD could come as early as 1997. It never happened.

The rest of the band is: brother Leonard Gonzales, guitar; David de la Garza, keyboards; Tim Ruiz, bass; Michael Aguilar, drums; and Mando Lichtenberger Jr. keyboards.

According to a Sony Discos spokesman, the group still has to deliver one more album by contract. The band canceled all their December and January engagements to record that album.

La Mafia is the second major band to announce a breakup this year. Earlier, Mazz split into two groups: New Image Mazz, fronted by singer Joe Lopez and Original Grupo Mazz, fronted by guitarist Jimmy Gonzalez.

(Ramiro Burr is a music reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and correspondent for Billboard. Burr is also the author of the forthcoming book "The Billboard Guide to Tejano and regional/Mexican Music," due April 1999 on Billboard Books. Burr can be reached at 1-800-555-1551, ext 3429 or through e- mail at rburr@express-news.net)

SAN ANTONIO -- It's official. After months of rumors, La Mafia, one of Tejano music's top groups, is announcing its retirement after a 20-year career highlighted by two Grammys.

But the group is not disappearing overnight. Instead the band is taking a cue from another band that retired two years ago -- Bronco. Like Bronco, La Mafia also plans to record a farewell album and launch a year-long farewell tour.

Details are to be announced at news conference at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 in Houston.

But music industry sources say the breakup comes in part because lead singer Oscar de La Rosa is tired of touring and now considers performing more work that fun. De La Rosa is reportedly also considering moving to Miami and perhaps start a Latin pop career.

According to a group spokesman, the band will play 20-40 dates in the United States and Mexico in 1999.

Ray Martinez, label manager at Sony Discos here, said La Mafia is due by contract, to produce one more album: "I expect it to be recorded and released by September," said Martinez. "All they have is one single so far, and we have no name for it yet."

More details to come in an updated news report Thursday.

WebJefe:
I will like to add that Oscar said on Univision's show "El Gordo y La Flaca", that after 20 yrs of playing with the La Mafia, since the age of 12, he is ready to kick back for awhile with his family. Even though there has been problems with some members of the group, they are all still friends and respect each others decisions for the split up. After completing their last CD required on their contract with Sony Discos, Oscar plans to move to Miami and possibly go solo but with a completely different style of music from La Mafia's.

(Ramiro Burr is a music reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and correspondent for Billboard. Burr is also the author of the forthcoming book "The Billboard Guide to Tejano and regional/Mexican Music," due April 1999 on Billboard Books. Burr can be reached at 1-800-555-1551, ext 3429 or through e- mail at rburr@express-news.net)

What are the Top 10 Tejano CDs of all time? Is Tejano music, American or Mexican music? Why is trio, banda, Tejano, conjunto and other regional Mexican genres an important part of the tapestry of American music?

Find out the answers and more questions in the fascinating music reference book: "The Billboard Guide to Tejano and Regional Mexican Music," written by Ramiro Burr on Billboard Books, March 1999

*For the first time in history, there is a fact-based reference book of Latin music (Tejano and Regional Mexican) with un-biased, critical biographies, artistic profiles and select discographies on more than 300 bands, including the major players: Lola Beltran, Pedro Infante, Luis Miguel, Little Joe, Selena, Los Tigres, Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, Vicente Fernandez.

*The sourcebook includes a glossary of music terms and Spanish words, a chronology of historical events, and an insightful chapter on the history of Tejano music as well as Top 10 lists of the greatest CDs and songs in trio, mariachi, Tejano, norteno, etc.

*Written by Ramiro Burr, a 14-year veteran music reporter/syndicated columnist, the book is the first comprehensive and authoritative work on the subject. Intelligent and insightful, the essays provide the first professional survey of music long ignored by the mainstream music press.

WHO:   La Mafia
WHAT:  Press Conference
WHERE: Houston Sound Studio
       3232 Mainford
       Houston, Texas 77009
       713.236.9236
WHEN: Thursday, December 3rd, 2 p.m.

A Houston-based international music phenomenon, La Mafia is a two-time Grammy Award-winning band that has, according to Sony Discos executive Ray Martinez, released six consecutive platinum albums in a career that has generated record sales which recently surpassed the three million mark.

Media will be provided with a news release and formal statements during the press conference. For directions to Houston Sound Studio, please call 713-224-3203.

I want thank everyone who has encouraged me to continue writing songs and performing....I thank God that I have been given the opportunity to express myself through song. Gracias Abel por todo tu apoyo!!!!

Sincerely,
Esmi

In an article titled, "We're An American Band," Pulitzer-nominated journalist and Los Angeles Time national correspondent Jesse Katz traces La Mafia's 18-year trajectory and follows the band into Mexico for a look at the group as an international phenomenon.

The former Los Angeles Times Houston bureau chief, Jesse Katz has been a Times reporter for more than 12 years. As a free-lance writer, he has been a regular contributor to Texas Monthly since 1997.

A two-time Grammy Award-winning group, La Mafia controls a formidable concern developed over a nearly two decade career that includes numerous multiplatinum records, a state of the art recording facility and a catalogue of original music for which they administer the rights.

"We're feel honored that Texas Monthly has recognized our contributions to the music industry," said front man and vocalist Oscar De la Rosa. "It's always nice to be acknowledged at home."

Led by brothers Oscar De la Rosa and Leonard Gonzales as well as producer Armando Lichtenberger, Jr., La Mafia continues to set artistic and professional standards across the hemisphere with their blend of traditional and contemporary Latin music. A current single, "Pido," closed the week at number six on Billboard Magazine's Hot Latin Tracks chart. From the recently released album entitled Euforia, the song is a piano-driven bolero that "showcases De la Rosa's dramatic vocal flair." (Houston Chronicle)

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 14) -- Two music industry trade organizations are fighting in state district court here over who has proprietary rights to produce a Tejano music awards show.

The legal battle is unfolding as the Tejano Music Awards 1998-1999 season gets underway with a series of preliminary events including kickoff parties, a music conference and nominees dance.

The Texas Talent Musicians Association(TTMA), producers of the annual Tejano Music Awards, filed a lawsuit in 150th State District Court on Aug. 26 against Rudy Trevino and the new Tejano Entertainers and Music Association(TEMA).

In its lawsuit, TTMA alleged that TEMA is creating confusion in the similarity of the organizations' names. Complicating the matter is the fact that Trevino was a co-founder of the TTMA and the Tejano Music Awards, which recognize the best Tejano artists in a People's Choice-type awards ceremony. For 18 years he served as TTMA's executive director until last July when he resigned his post. He immediately formed TEMA with the stated goal of recognizing "Hispanic entertainers and musicians in the entertainers industry."

However, the TTMA is alleging Trevino and TEMA are trying to produce a mirror awards program and unfairly using the confusion in group names and what TTMA considers proprietary business information to approach sponsors and other clients.

"A lot of people in the music industry, from record labels and band managers got back to us, telling us they did not know who was calling," said Robert Arellano, TTMA board president. "When you hear TTMA or TEMA, you have confusion right away, that was very obvious. We wanted to put things in perspective, we are the original TTMA, and we didn't want someone competing against us using the same name."

When TTMA filed its Aug. 26 lawsuit, it also sought and obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent Trevino from contacting any TTMA sponsors or utilizing any marketing techniques, mailing lists or other propriety information owned by the TTMA. The restraining order was later reduced in scope and eventually dismissed on Sept. 7.

The next day, Trevino's attorney Ricardo Navarro filed a countersuit claiming the TTMA was unfairly trying to stop Trevino and his enterprise as well as damaging his reputation.

"We are denying all their (TTMA) claims," Navarro said. "We are arguing that Trevino has the right, like any individual, to earn a livelihood."

"Mr. Trevino spent a long time with TTMA but he can leave and do anything he wants. And ultimately, anyone can put on an awards show."

The litigation is pending a court date. But privately, both parties said they expect to work out their differences in out-of-court negotiations.

The Tejano Music Awards are scheduled March 20 at the Alamodome while the TEMA Awards have been scheduled Feb. 27 at the Municipal Auditorium. Both organizations have scheduled kickoff parties and nominees dances. The TTMA has scheduled its annual Tejano Music Conference on Nov. 6-7 at the Institute of Texan Cultures.

(Ramiro Burr is a music reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and correspondent for Billboard. Burr is also the author of the forthcoming book "The Billboard Guide to Tejano and regional/Mexican Music," due in April 1999 on Billboard Books. Burr can be reached at 1-800-555-1551, ext 3429 or through e-mail at rburr@express-news.net)

By Ramiro Burr
Express-News Arts Writer

Conjunto fans are mourning the death of singer and accordionist Ruben Naranjo, who was known for his slow, danceable style.

Naranjo, whose signature hits were "Preso sin Delito" and "Angel de mis Anhelos," died Monday morning at his home in Alice of heart failure. He was 53.

"I think the world has lost a popular exponent of conjunto music," said Juan Tejeda, conjunto historian and musician. "Naranjo had a distinct style of playing, a slower, more mellow style that was very danceable."

Naranjo was born Feb. 22, 1945, in Alice. His father was a trucker, and as one of nine brothers, the younger Naranjo grew up picking cotton in the fields of South Texas.

He first learned to play the guitar, later the bajo sexto (12-string guitar) and eventually the accordion.

He began his professional career playing with El Conjunto de Chano Cadena, who also played accordion. The group became popular in the 1960s, a time that saw the emergence of conjuntos with two accordions, Tejeda said.

In 1972, Naranjo formed his own group, Los Gamblers, and began a prolific career that produced more than 30 albums and several hits, including "Besos Callejeros," "Dos Caracoles," "Con Cartitas" and "La Estrella."

He recorded for a series of independent labels, including Zarape, Freddie and, most recently, Hacienda records.

"He was known for his smooth polkas," said Rene Cabrera, a Corpus Christi Caller-Times Tejano music columnist. "He had a real steady style and at his dances, people didn't stand around gawking at him. They filled up the dance floor."

Naranjo also was known by his nickname, "El Clark Gable de la onda Chicana," a tag given to him by veteran TV show host Johnny Canales because of the musician's resemblance to the actor.

At radio station KEDA-AM, where Naranjo's music was being played throughout the day Monday, station General Manager Albert Davila said Naranjo always maintained a down to earth demeanor.

"He was a super nice guy," Davila said. "Even though he was a superstar in conjunto circles, he never looked at himself that way."

Funeral services are being arranged by the Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home in Alice. For information, call (512) 664-6041.

Monday, Oct 12, 1998
© 1998 San Antonio Express-News
Re-printed with permission.