exclsive interview con frank salazar de tejano musci awards 2012

Exclusive interview con Frank Salazar de TEJANO Music Awards, 2012.

Cchwnn.

Somewhere in San Anto, Texas. Hello I am Santa Cecilia la que te canta con on the road again interview. Today I am going to meet up con a very important man that plays a big role con la onda  Tejana  Frank Salazar, de Tejano Music Awards. But enough of that, let’s get to that interview.

Sc: hello Mr. Salazar can you give me a hand off this bicycle big guy?

Fs: Seguro que si.  Hey, that looks like Pee Wee Herman’s bike.  Did you find it in the basement of the Alamo?

 SC; gee sir I didn’t know that had a basement at the Alamo!  I am sure you hear this all the time but you got a heck of a big job con this Talent Musicians Association, can you give us a brief breakdown of what is the purpose of  your organization and how long you have been top dog here?

Fs:The following is our mission statement:

Texas Talent Musicians Association is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization whose purpose is to promote professional excellence; a better understanding and greater appreciation for Tejano music; and to provide a public forum for songwriters, performers and musicians in order to recognize their artistic efforts and achievements through the annual Tejano Music Awards and related events.

As for top dog, I don’t consider myself top dog of anything.  It’s more of a give and take position but I’ve been involves approximately 19 years.

Sc: should the tejano market be worried que some of the major musical awards have not acknowledge la onda tejana and its hard working musicians?

Fs:  Worried?  No.  One day they’ll have no choice but to consider us as a viable market but we all have to do our parts as well.  The artists have to get involved with the major awards.  They’re not going to come looking for you.  Today, TTMA remains the premier Tejano Music Awards programs.

SC; how difficult is it to put on a Tejano Music Award program and the events involved?

FS:  Putting on the Tejano Music Awards Fanfair or Awards requires a lot of logistics and planning, therefore, it can get pretty difficult.  There will always be problems that arise but nothing we can’t handle.  We have a tremendous team and they know what needs to be done.

SC; how does a band get acknowledge and even recommended for any award through Tejano Music Awards?

FS:  In order to be acknowledged or recommended for any awards, the group’s representative, management, or label must submit their nomination when the nominations process opens up.  TTMA does not nominate anyone.

SC: can you name if any persons that have gone far and beyond the call of duty in doing their share of keeping la onda alive?

FS:  There are several people.  I don’t want to start naming names because I know that I’m bound to leave someone off.

SC: I am sure que we both can agree que la onda tejana is worldwide now, how should we move forward in keep la onda a tradition?

Fs:  Well our current programs (Tejano Music Awards and Tejano Music Awards Fanfair) are two programs we intend to keep utilizing to continue moving forward.  Most importantly, the artists need to put out relevant and exciting new material and present themselves in an exciting manner to the fans.  It’s all about the music and the showmanship.  That is what makes the fans want more.  Our Tejano music must continue evolving and not remain stagnant.

 

Sc; why does the issue of tejano is dying always keep come up on certain tejano websites, could this be a fear factor used by some?

FS:  I think it’s become a way to keep Tejano down.  Everyone needs to stop saying or mentioning that Tejano and dead in the same sentence.  Tejano just took a little break.  I believe that our market is still going strong.  The numbers at our Tejano Music Awards Fanfair and other events around the country prove it.  If you want to create a quote, then say “Tejano is Alive and Well and Going Strong”.

 SC; in your opinion, is fanfare getting larger and better than before?

Fs:  Of course.  Every year the numbers keeps growing.  In 2011, we opened a new section and it was still packed to the hilt.  We may need to move the event to a different and larger venue in 2013.

 SC: if ask to use one word to describe la onda tejana what would that word be?

FS: Underrated.  

SC: I am sure in most cases tejano artist are no except to the rules, should older bands encourage younger musicians to stay en la onda and not be afraid to spread their talent in different music categories ?

FS:  Definitely and I’m sure many of our established groups do just that.  I always hear from the new groups that they spoke to so and so and were very encouraged with what they had to say.  Encouragement from our established artists goes a long ways with our new artists.

 SC; do you think music recording companies  and radio station give tejano groups an equal opportunity to fair share of  air time and recording contracts?

Fs:  No, not always.  Recording companies and radio are like any other business, it’s about making a profit.  If they don’t make a profit they will be forced to close down or change formats.  These businesses will make decisions based on their own needs before they consider the groups.

Sc; what is your take on the increase of tejano radio stations on the web:

Fs;  It’s admirable to have all these internet stations promoting Tejano music since it’s the only form of media where Tejano can be heard around the world.  There are a few serious players out there but, the majority are not ready for prime time.  Many of these stations are setup as Unicast and few are setup to Multicast.  In order to be viable the internet station has to have a live real time presence where the listener can call in and talk to a real person on the air.  This can takes some serious $$$$$.  Not many can afford this.   

 SC: does a tejano band really need a manager and a promoter to assure them a fair share of the market?

Fs:  Any serious band needs to have a manager with a solid business background and a marketing expert to expose the group to as many markets as possible.   Many of the groups utilize their own family members and that’s ok if they have the experience and background.  But not having the right background can be costly if the wrong decisions are made due to inexperience.

SC; if given the opportunity to speak with a group of young people interested in getting involved  con la onda, what encouraging words would you used?

FS:  I’d have to start by discouraging them since the music industry can be hard.   But if they’re really serious I would tell them that they need to concentrate on their music and stage presence.  They need to hook up with a talented songwriter who can present you with fresh new material.  Invest in recording a quality product.  These are just a few things to consider.

SC; and finally what is in the future for Tejano Music Awards?

FS:  The Tejano Music Awards has a couple of interesting projects in the works.  I won’t discuss these right now since we have not finalized the details.  Once we know more we’ll make an announcement.  More importantly is opening the voting process to all the Tejano fans around the world.  We’re hoping the once again double the votes for the 2012 Tejano Music Awards.  

SC: well Frank thanks you for the time you have given us in doing this exciting interview , can you give a hand back on this bicycle and point towards El Paso, Texas.

FS: Sure.   I believe El Paso is that way.  Remember, as a friend of mine once said, “If you can’t el run-o and you can’t el kick-o, El Paso”.

Ok sir, Wow as I leave San Anto, I leave this town con the understanding que la onda tejana is in good hands and that all tejanos should be proud of the thousands de raza that keeps it alive, I am Santa Cecilia la que te canta, good day.