TEJANOmike

A Tejano Music Website       |       Phoenix, AZ       |       602.505.2168       |       tejanomike@gmail.com

Hello Tejanos Out There! I tell you, never a dull moment on this Website!, and just about every day there is something new or different to see - and read. Realistically and rationally, I can't seem to give up on our Onda yet, maybe next year, but today let us move forward.

My past and present writings including my commentaries have been compiled in the following three segments below. Kindly and politely, I am asking you to read/study them and hopefully we can arrive in a commonality line of balance and dialogue ... and continuous Internet progression for the sake of our music industry.

Did I say progression?!, well, from my observation and perspective analysis, I've come to this present-day conclusion: The state of Texas and La Onda Tejana, "together" ... are lacking something very fundamental and dramatic paradigm that could possibly serve as an example, pattern, and functional role model for all of us tejanos to follow.

Unconditionally and faithful to the ends of Planet Earth, you and I - [and including other states] - have followed this music duet centered in San Antonio for countless of years, therefore it would seem that: They must lead, they must take charge of all the tejano masses, they must lead by complete and excellent business enterprises and absolute music management. They must have overall public connectivity and offices throughout the United States for the total expansion of our recordings and the distribution factor.

Finally, this new structured alliance for the benefit of all tejano music fans must get organized once and for all for the survival of our music industry.






Strategies For A New Onda ... Click here >> Part One

"Our Onda will not advance, it will not survive or create it's own progress unless our conventional values are shared as one" ... yes, shared as ONE!, and not in the divided tejano society we are in today. Only a handful of people see the transformational trends of the modern world and how the implementation of such effects is destroying our music industry as a whole - maybe even our traditions and way of life if we do nothing! The outcome of all this, "does not free us at all for the moment", rather this illusion of freedom makes us create seeds of our own self-destruction. We must escape this barrier handed down to us within this dominant sweeping structure and create an unstoppable tejano music alliance of our own ... and like never seen before.

One of the major problems is that we are not together in parallel unity and conformity! ... we are not in true compliance with one another and with a mission statement strongly advocating what we want from the tejano music industry, or with clear proposals and campaigns to the American business world at large. Perhaps we are not rebellious enough in heart and soul to counteract this pressure from interest groups that have absolutely no tejano affiliations; hard to say at this point, but I will make this declaration: We are a distinguished group of human beings! ... we do have mutual interests! ... we are participants in our institutions and organizations! ... and we also share a common culture: We call it Tejano Music! TEJANOmike 12/11/07

 

Strategies For A New Onda ... Click Here >> Part Two

What is my  message of "True Tejanos" then? ... My message is very simple and for the present no deviations, no fragmentations, and no disintegration is needed! We are a distinguished group of human beings! ... we do have mutual interests! ... we are participants in our institutions and organizations! ... and we also share a common culture; we call it Tejano Music! Sadly, what we are lacking in this modern world and more importantly is IDENTITY. We have no identity today or as we would like to be identified with corporate America. I would go further and even add that, 'this lack of visibility is hindering our process of advancement.'

 

As True Tejanos that we are and understand this declaration, let us then unite so that our tradition and influence can be felt in every major city across the United States, so that our strong voices can be heard in unison. I say again to those that hear this message loud and clear: "Let's advance forward and together with one vision, with one scope and solitary purpose. Let us challenge this new pathway and come together collectively carrying our banner and Texas flag proudly! It is this inborn pride and inherited tejano trait within us that makes us a constant and unyielding generation of tejanos. We must come together with an unstoppable alliance never seen before, and still tap away the obscuring shield that lies at the edge of the unknown. Let us begin." TEJANOmike 06/21/2007

 

Strategies For A New Onda ... Click Here >> Part Three

If you really think about it, we're in a world of hurt! ... yes, us, you and me, and La Onda Tejana! I mean, we got a monumental task ahead and an uphill battle with the likes of a Mount Everest mountain to climb ... and with no gear at all, and no Commanders in sight! Initiating a plan of action in management and from the company that I retired from wasn't hard at all. I simply drew up the whole idea on paper; suggested the idea to my employees; setup meetings to discuss the plans; then went up the ladder from supervisors to the company Director and got charts to deliver the presentation on my plan.

After approvals and budget allocations and other things, the plan was put into action with the proper workers/employees ... and finally the project was given a 30-60 day trial with the emphasis on reporting back to upper management on the outcome of the trial period, and with what results, percentages, costs, pros/cons, etc. I mean, one could see the results from a well thought-out plan and finally into action where all the department would benefit from the new idea. It took months to complete at times, but it was nice to see results, and help the company.

 

I wake up at times thinking about our Onda and how it could also use an overhaul from top to bottom, from east to the west! But I also see that the work and basic plans needed would take a Hercules and a Superman combined to save our little world of music. Jokingly and in a funny way, I wish I could go to the highest peak on our country, tap on the microphone and then say: 'Testing, testing, testing 1-2-3' ... okay Tejanos and Tejanas, listen to me ... we got a lot of work to do, so listen up! ... but then I tell myself, ah, that won't work!

Creating a new tejano music alliance and movement will not be easy, but doing nothing will be even worse. We must unite as ONE because all the tejano organizations of the world will not save our music industry, rather it will die a very slow death and leaving only memories to live on. Let us initiate brainstorming ideas and let's move forward to reclaim what is rightfully ours: Our Mexican American values and culture, our proud Tejano music that must come back to solid ground, and for all of us to live and enjoy our rights and liberties to the fullest. We have already lost a lot of precious ground and time.

The division of La Onda Tejana is more apparent today and also in a disarray state of affairs with tejanos screaming all their differences over the Internet! Sadly enough though, and to the misfortune of a lot of tejano music fans, they find it hard to comprehend this music threshold of change, the transformation hitting us from all angles. We stand in the midst of change; in the center of a pivotal renovation for the enhancement of our tejano  movement. If we as tejanos stand still, the migration and invasion from the south will overwhelm all of us!

HELP US!

 

"We are all changing to a certain degree in both life cycles AND music. These time progressions and stages of development have brought about different generations over the years. Meaning, the big bands of long ago produced the artistic root of Beto Villa; Beto Villa in turn and sort of speak "created" the Isidro Lopez era; from Isidro Lopez came Little Joe which in turn produced smaller groups and bands that we presently hear on Internet radio."

"Solely my opinion only though, all these transitional periods and generations, family fusions and incomparable age trendsetters and with a magic wand and 1-2-3! ... presto! ...  and now we have this tejano division we are witnessing today." TEJANOmike 03/17/05

 

LA ONDA TEJANA!, and to the highest bidder! Today!

 

More Factoids from me: "Let us become a futuristic tejano generation in order to be competitive and aggressive in the balance of music dominance."

"Build tejano music schools and foundations to teach our young musicians to excel. Mandate and hire good tejano teachers and professors to teach them how to play 100% pure tejano music!"

 

Get rid of the Cover Charge! ... Unless ... it's a dance in a big hall, at a convention center downtown, or at a casino for example! ... or even a venue having 2-3 groups, or a medium size club bringing in tejano acts?, that is okay! ... otherwise why charge the public? Hello!

Even charging $7-$8-$10 to hear one local group at a small club where you can't even dance is ridiculous! - THEN pay $4.00 for a beer?! Another hello!

Give the people a good decent break in these hard economic times and let them in free!

You still want to charge them? Charge $5 once a month and let the tejano customers enjoy themselves. If you must use the cover charge option in small clubs here in Phoenix?, YOU are in the wrong business buddy!