Exclusive interview con Sarah Ruiz Chavez, 2015.
Cchwnn, session #2.
Olathe, Kansas. Hello raza, I am Blanca Blanch Blanco con on the road again interview. Today my poor little legs pumped my new bicycle all the way to Olathe to meet up with not just a special person, but a cousin and a brilliant person in her own way Sarah Ruiz Chavez and now for that interview.
Session #2,
BBB: I am sure you realized that there was a need for much bigger coverage at that time, what was your next endeavor after that project?
Src: The progression that brought the Tejano Music National Convention into existence was because my business partner and husband, David Chavez had worked in Latino advocacy for years. David was producing huge concerts, conventions and television specials but his personal passion in music was always Tejano. He grew up listening to the great pioneers of the industry and starting doing dances very early while in college to raise scholarship money.
We spent years talking about doing an event on a large national scale focused only on Tejano music. We finally decided with our experience and resources that maybe if we put together a “little shindig” their might be an interest. The final push came from artist, Chente Barrera, who kept nudging us to do something. We finally decided to try with the understanding if it failed at least we could live with the fact that we tried. That was twelve years ago in 2004.
We still are amazed that eager Tejano fans from across the country make the annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas to indulge in nonstop Tejano and Conjunto Tex-Mex Funk! We even named it the 48-Hour Tejano Music Marathon. It’s a privilege to be part of such a vibrant cultural preservation of a true American-made musical genre.
BBB: would you say you hit the big times at one point or was there much more needed to keep Tejano alive for the future at that time?
Src: I must say emphatically that we have not hit big times or consider ourselves reaching a pinnacle. We are simply shining a spotlight and providing a national platform for the talented artists and our fellow Tejano fans. David and I are Tejano fans first. We do this so we can dance too - just like the thousands, of much better dancers than us, that spend the entire weekend on the dance floor. It’s a sight to behold.
BBB: my god, now tell us about Tejano Music National Conventions and the excellent coverage you have done for Tejano music and it’s Tejano Artist?
Src: The Tejano and Conjunto artists are brilliant, animated, exceptional story-tellers and above all, they entertain and make people feel alive. The talent that graces our three stages performs with the same caliber of musical prowess and technical skill as any artist of any other genre of music.
We feature two showcase stages called "Shelly’s All American Showcase" hosted by Shelly Lares and "Boni’s Conjunto Café" hosted by Boni Mauricio. Because my father played in local bands I have a strong affection for the local “up-and-coming” bands out there that just need a break. We not only provide these bands with a national platform but we also select one band from the Tejano Experience USA Fanfare & Expo to open up for the following year on the MainStage. They are selected based on their performance, fan reaction, showmanship and musical quality overall.
BBB: at this point, how does it feel to be Sarah Ruiz Chavez and the things you have accomplished?
Src: I feel like we are just barely getting started. There is so much more to do, to learn, to develop, to aspire towards, to appreciate and to advocate for. We view ourselves and our generation as the New American Mainstream - our beautiful, mixed and diverse communities are indeed the driving force for business success today and for the future.
Cchwnn, session #2.
Olathe, Kansas. Hello raza, I am Blanca Blanch Blanco con on the road again interview. Today my poor little legs pumped my new bicycle all the way to Olathe to meet up with not just a special person, but a cousin and a brilliant person in her own way Sarah Ruiz Chavez and now for that interview.
Session #2,
BBB: I am sure you realized that there was a need for much bigger coverage at that time, what was your next endeavor after that project?
Src: The progression that brought the Tejano Music National Convention into existence was because my business partner and husband, David Chavez had worked in Latino advocacy for years. David was producing huge concerts, conventions and television specials but his personal passion in music was always Tejano. He grew up listening to the great pioneers of the industry and starting doing dances very early while in college to raise scholarship money.
We spent years talking about doing an event on a large national scale focused only on Tejano music. We finally decided with our experience and resources that maybe if we put together a “little shindig” their might be an interest. The final push came from artist, Chente Barrera, who kept nudging us to do something. We finally decided to try with the understanding if it failed at least we could live with the fact that we tried. That was twelve years ago in 2004.
We still are amazed that eager Tejano fans from across the country make the annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas to indulge in nonstop Tejano and Conjunto Tex-Mex Funk! We even named it the 48-Hour Tejano Music Marathon. It’s a privilege to be part of such a vibrant cultural preservation of a true American-made musical genre.
BBB: would you say you hit the big times at one point or was there much more needed to keep Tejano alive for the future at that time?
Src: I must say emphatically that we have not hit big times or consider ourselves reaching a pinnacle. We are simply shining a spotlight and providing a national platform for the talented artists and our fellow Tejano fans. David and I are Tejano fans first. We do this so we can dance too - just like the thousands, of much better dancers than us, that spend the entire weekend on the dance floor. It’s a sight to behold.
BBB: my god, now tell us about Tejano Music National Conventions and the excellent coverage you have done for Tejano music and it’s Tejano Artist?
Src: The Tejano and Conjunto artists are brilliant, animated, exceptional story-tellers and above all, they entertain and make people feel alive. The talent that graces our three stages performs with the same caliber of musical prowess and technical skill as any artist of any other genre of music.
We feature two showcase stages called "Shelly’s All American Showcase" hosted by Shelly Lares and "Boni’s Conjunto Café" hosted by Boni Mauricio. Because my father played in local bands I have a strong affection for the local “up-and-coming” bands out there that just need a break. We not only provide these bands with a national platform but we also select one band from the Tejano Experience USA Fanfare & Expo to open up for the following year on the MainStage. They are selected based on their performance, fan reaction, showmanship and musical quality overall.
BBB: at this point, how does it feel to be Sarah Ruiz Chavez and the things you have accomplished?
Src: I feel like we are just barely getting started. There is so much more to do, to learn, to develop, to aspire towards, to appreciate and to advocate for. We view ourselves and our generation as the New American Mainstream - our beautiful, mixed and diverse communities are indeed the driving force for business success today and for the future.
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