Tejano Whispers by Juan Sifuentes Jr

November 2006

7th Annual Noche De Fiesta Tejana
Kick-off Dance

I enter the historic La Villita Dance hall with a lot of anticipation and worry at the same time. The time for a totally Tejano Experience was about to begin. I brought my guitar to see if I could get it autographed. There were people to the left and right of me. Everyone looked a little jittery and were glancing at the stage. They new something big was about to happen and they couldn’t wait. I said my usual "hello" to a lot of people and made a lot of new friends. While I was walking about greeting some people I found out that Chicago, Kansas, New York, California, Oregon, New Mexico, Monterey Mexico, Arizona, and many other people from all over were in the house. Suddenly the lights dimmed. There was a cool calm quiet about the air. It was 8:00 p.m. Showtime!

Pio Trevino was announced to kick-off the dance and what an entrance. Pio had mentioned to me earlier that he was coming down with something and his throat sounded a little scratchy. You could not tell at all when he started belting out hit of hit. He started out with " Te Quiero Mucho" and the crowd quickly took to the dance floor. It was interesting to see the many styles of dancing from all over the United States. The common denominator here was FUN. Everyone was having fun. Yes…a tear streamed down my cheek. My good friend and Mentor, Javier Villanueva, did an excellent job putting the entertainment together. Bnet radio was in the house doing and excellent job of broadcasting the event. Manny Garcia, Ernie G., El Rod, and the rest of the crew kept the listening audience entertained with what was going on. Pio kept up with more of his hits like " Ven", " El Magazine", " Maria Yo Te VI Bailando". The rest of the band was the icing on the cake. The keyboard player was doing an excellent job. The guitar player (Xavier Lopez) was playing like there was no tomorrow. Xavier was playing up and down the scale with a lot of major and minor cords and everything that went in between. Great guitar playing. I had a lot of fun just watching him in action. Art Galvan…. What can I say? This hall-of-Famer just keeps getting better with age. He gave the rest of the band a solid foundation on bass. The people were absorbing the music like if it was the "fountain of youth" elixir. Pio did one heck of a job. Gracias Pio for the great time and music.

I made my way outside for a moment to reflect on the music and night. I was concerned about JV being that he always pushes himself to the limits. That is why the event is such a success. The man is totally dedicated to the music and our culture. I let time slip away and in the back of my mind I heard a familiar tune and unmistakable sound of an accordion.

Mingo Saldivar was in the house. I ran inside to catch the show (well, sort of ran inside). The people were already by the stage watching Mingo in action. The great thing about Mingo is that he is having such a great time playing his weapon of choice that he gets the rest of his band so motivated they just play their hearts out. I was watching the bass player (el Chivo) and my eyes welled up with tears. For a minute there I saw the late Frank Salazar, in Chivo’s place, and it brought back many memories. Frank Salazar played the bass for Mingo many years and was like Mingo's right hand man. I loved Frank like a brother and miss him so much. Frank was taken from us because of Cancer. I know in my heart that Frank would have approved Mingo’s choice of getting " El Chivo" as his replacement. Frank…I miss you my brother. Mingo did his thing like only he knows how to do it. Most men his age cannot do half the things that he does. I like the way he gets down on the floor and then gets up while he is still playing his accordion. I can appreciate the way he gets down but how in the heck does he get back up with no problem? Mingo gave us polkas, cumbias, corridos, rancheras, and everything that he knows how to play. I like the way he plays "Pajaro Negro". The chords and leads were just out of this world. I always like his signature short, staccato riffs. It just adds to the whole musical " painting" that he brings to the audience. Mingo finished off his set with his classic rendition of "Rueda de Fuego" (Ring of Fire). His entire band really got into the groove especially the harmonica player. Then Mingo did something awesome. Mingo had a cordless mike on his accordion. Mingo went to the side of the stage and started dancing circles around JV. Then Mingo went out into the audience and started to dance with the people while playing his accordion. Mingo danced with a lady who was of Asian decent and she had a blast. Great finish to an already historical evening.

During the intermission many kept asking me who was Bob Gallarza. All I would say was for them to stick around and find out for themselves. I knew that they were really in for some serious Tejano like they had never heard before. Sure enough. I heard Bob give the count and…BAM! What an entrance. The band was totally awesome with an incredible horn section. Mr. Gallarza was making his guitar wail like there was no tomorrow. Very rich and full orchestra sound. I mean this band could be the stage band for the Tonight show or some other famous show. People were staring in awe at the caliber of musicianship they were being treated to. I kept saying to myself," JV, You did it again Buddy!". Great opening by the band. Mr. Gallarza is also a work of art just directing the band. He makes sure that every entrance, every beat, every accent, and everything else comes together when it is supposed to. One of the most professional I have ever seen. Bob then asked everyone if they were ready for Jimmy Edward. The crowd yelled their approval. The band then went into a little funk rhythm signifying the opening bars of " Si Yo Pudiera". The stage was quickly crowded and people were dancing. Jimmy Edward sounded great and he just kept on with his hits and some of his songs from the new CD produced by Bob Gallarza. A picture perfect moment that will forever be etched in the portals of my mind. Yes….more tears as I witnessed a TejanoMusic historical moment from a FRONT ROW SEAT…AGAIN. Tejano Music Dead? Yeah Sure! Whatever. I could tell you more about Jimmy Edward and Bob Gallarza but you will just have to go see for yourselves. It is worth the price of admission.

I have to admit that I was really impressed with all of the performers. I would also like to say that it was also great to see a lot of my friends and also make new friends. Bnet radio was great. Always a pleasure to work with them. Cha Cha Jimenez was in the house. Tierra Tejana was there. Manny Garcia (El Picante), Mary Ann (DHOC). My good friend Mike Carmona from Arizona, Our web master from New York CHANTY. Great to see you and your son my brother. I also met a new friend from Monterey who has an Internet radio station that plays nothing but Tejano Music. We have a lot of people from Monterey who love to here Tejano Music. My good friend Rudy Pena (TejanoPride.com) was also in the how. My friend Santos from Freeport . Javier and Cindy Garcia ( Dallas). George Lopez and his wife. Elizabeth Hernandez from Austin who works for a Magazine called " Musica International" Marcelo Tafoya owner… and many more. JV…You did it Brother. Thank You for the experience…Stay tuned for the 7th annual Noche de Fiesta Tejano induction ceremonies review…Tu Amigo Juan Sifuentes Jr.