Exclusive interview con
Jason Martinez of The Electric cowboys/Grupo Vida.
2015.
Cchwnn.
Kingsville,tx.
Hello again I am Blanca
Blanch Blanco con on
the road again
interview. This week our bicycle takes us to San Anto, Texas to
meeting up con our
potential man of the year Jason Martinez, we do this to hear
more about the new trend
about Tejano music and the future. Now for that
interview.
BBB: Gee my god you are
a very handsome young man, can you please give me a healthy hand off my new
bicycle?
Jm: Thank you for the
compliment.
Of course. There you go.
BBB: let’s start off by
a little background on your
musical career?
Jm: Shoot I've been in
the music business for about 25 years now. I started very young. I learned
piano and drums at age of 3, and continued my quest for learning instruments
way into my teens. Tejano music has always
been my passion, and
I've had the pleasure of playing with many Tejano artists beginning with VIP'S
and ending with my current group The Electric Cowboys/Grupo
Vida. I've been here
currently for 20 of those years. I'm the lead Guitar player and Lead Vocalist.
WHICH! By the way I never dreamed I would be. After all, I
was let go from Vida
when I first started with them 3 times. Lol. I just wasn't good enough. Lol.
And now! I'm singing, guitar playing, writing, producing,
arranging, and recording
for them! Big shoutout to my boys John, Tim, And Mike! The backbone of the
group!
BBB: that’s very
interesting, now one of the reasons we asked for this interview was about the
posting you did on Tejano is dying. Now before we go any further I want to make
sure you understand our question,and the question is how does one come to the
conclusion that a certain type of music in this case Tejano is dying?
JM: As a young Tejano,
it’s important to make sure that new generation not just sit there and wonder
why Tejano acts have not booked into major events. One example is the Houston
livestock show and rodeo. See, you know
that a genre is
dwindling when the bands are not booking. When the bands that they do book are
going for ridiculous pay. When the fans are no longer attending live events, or
buying albums. And most importantly, when radio stations are disappearing left
and right. That is way we are trying to organize and understand the major
issues that are hurting this industry. From radio programing to recording
companies, we are reaching out to all both new and seasoned to help us move
Tejano forward.
BBB: Is the response a
bit overwhelming from all the posting you have seen on this matter?
JM: You know Barbara (my
wife) and I are really glad that there has been an overwhelming response. It is
good to see that so many people are feeling the same way. For so long the
artists have complained under their breath. No longer is that the case.The
general public needs to know that there is concern for our genre. There is a need
for a "Save Tejano Music" movement. We are asking many to help us
gather
information to
demonstrate that there is a national need for a Tejano movement to address our concerns. It'll give us the
unity that is still needed to move
Tejano forward.
BBB: as we have talked
about it before, there have been
others that have tried
to address the issues you are addressing, for example back in 2002, and 2009,
why the Houston livestock?
JM: We are honored that those
Tejanos did the best they could back then, but one cannot live in the past, and
it takes numbers to make a difference. This is a team effort. The only way we
rise together, is if we work together. I
am sure what they have done opened many doors for Tejanos worldwide, but we
cannot be satisfied with that. We still don’t see major Tejano acts in places
like for example, The Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo. We still don't hear
very many new artists, and new hits on what is left on Tejano radio. We want to
pick up where they left off. We thank them for their efforts. We need More
radio stations (especially FM
frequency stations).
Internet radio is helping keep it alive. However we need FM frequency stations
to provide the convenience of, for example hopping in your
car and turning on the
radio with the click of one button. We also need radio to begin supporting new
artists and help create new hits! Program directors need to get with that Program!
On that note, Artists (both new and seasoned) need to make sure they take pride
in their product by creating product of radio worthy quality. You have no idea
how many artists I see not caring about their craft
anymore. Late to
gigs....not showing up....providing mediocre shows, and albums.
Not evolving and not
trying to bring in the younger, newer audience which is
what we need to do! We as artists are part of the problem as
well. WAKE UP ARTISTS! Radio SHOULD support us as long as we make it worth
it....AND.... the
reality of it is.....as
long as we can make them money. It's called the "music business". Do
you blame them? This way Radio helps create hits. Which bring in
people to the events...
Which then promoters and club owners make money....Which in turn can pay the
bands a fair price for their performance. (Because
let's face it, promoters
can't afford to pay what it takes bands to travel and such because most artists
don't pull in the necessary revenue) it takes 1000
dollars just to travel
to a destination to perform. Only to make 1500-3000?!! Not worth the struggle
of a Tejano musician, which I must say, is a talented
musician. Or any
musician for that matter. Sound rental, equipment repair, food, lodging, gas,
bus/travel expenses, instrument upkeep,costume/clothing. It ALL adds up.
Musicians and bands are almost always in the red. A few do have
success, but at that can
they be considered Tejano? Other fans of
other genres are very supportive of their favorite bands. They pay 50 bucks on
up to see
their favorite band. Yet
Tejanos complain about a 10 dollar ticket. We tour as a Country band (The
Electric Cowboys) as well. It's crazy when we are treated a
lot better on the
Country side when we started out as a Tejano band. We are a bigger band as a
Country Band. Our crowds, response, and pay is better as a
Country Band. Even if
it's not "great" it's still better. They take care of you over there.
We can learn from the other genres. You want to be a "Big Boy"
genre, start treating it
like one! It's a big cycle, and somewhere along the line, we strayed from a
very good, and profitable formula. I don't believe
Tejano died when Selena
passed. If anything, this industry should be pushing forward, driving for
success, because of the doors she opened. We should honor her memory with
ambition. With drive.
Look the bottom line is,
we want to advance Tejano music through integrating all different Tejano
organizations, make sure that there is enough information to educate, and
develop new methods
of communication and
making sure that general public is aware of new Tejano
movement 2015. It's
going to take all of us to get there. ALL OF US.
BBB: I have notice that
not too many of the so call leaders from back then haven’t
stepped up, what would
you like to tell them about your cause in 2015?
JM: We would like to
invite those persons and organizations that laid the foundation
to join in our new
effort to keep Tejano alive. It’s never too late to move forward, but one needs
to make sure that our cause is for the future of Tejano
music. Tejano musicians
as we'll deserve the same benefits as anyone else. Despite what some people
believe, it is a "real job" as long as you do it for a
living. We (The Electric
Cowboys/Grupo Vida) sustain our lives, and families with this job. I get taxed
on this job. It is our "Real Job". One artists said
it best the other day in
a response to my post. She said she was tired of having to hold a benefit dance
every time she got sick. I agree.
BBB: before we get back
to Jason Martinez, please tell us what are your short term goals vs the long
and winding road ahead for you in this endeavor?
JM: Our short term goal is
to make sure that we get feedback on this issue, and thank all those that
have stood out and
provided much needed information.
ARTISTS! STEP IT UP! DON’T
GET LAZY IN YOUR CRAFT!
FANS! CALL YOUR RADIO
STATIONS AND REQUEST NEW ARTISTS.
SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
DON'T JUST LIKE IT ON FACEBOOK! GET UP AND GO TO THE VENUES! PAY FOR TICKETS
AND ALBUM DOWNLOADS! PROMOTERS! PLEASE BE
RESPECTFUL IN YOUR
OFFERS! We as artists should try to give the fans the
best shows, and albums possible! AND.... Promoters, we as artists should try to
make you more money! It
is a business. We
understand. The general public should understand too. We do it for the music,
AND to pay our bills.
Our long goal is to make
sure that we
don’t stop the push for
Tejano. We are trying to see if we can help those existing organizations and
groups to keep the pressure on, making Tejano a force
to reckon with!!
BBB: after reading some
of your future gigs, would you say that you have managed to get out of being
Tejano but have been accepted to other venues, such as but not limited to
country and western, would you say that
Tejanos have a door open
to many other kind of music?
Jm: Absolutely! Sunny Ozuna
had an Amercian pop hit, and was on American Bandstand. Selena was on her
way to becoming a pop
star. Emilio toured with the likes of Alan Jackson. And we (The Electric
Cowboys/Grupo Vida) have toured with the likes of The Dixie Chicks, Clay
Walker. We've done shows with Blake Shelton, Randy Rogers, Eli Young Band....
The list goes on and on. AND!!! We just signed a Country/Outlaw
Country contract with
MidSouth music records up in Memphis. God willing we will be doing the big
tours here in 2015. We have an album that will be released very soon, and our
first single "Little While" will also be out on country radio this month.
There's nothing wrong with Tejanos succeeding in other genres. It helps open
the doors and allows us to go into places where we otherwise would never be able
to go. I always tell the public "We may be on big Country tours this year!
But we will be 4 Tejanos on big country tours!"
BBB: what is in the
futurebeyond 2015 for Jason Martinez?
Jm: I hope to take our
music around the
world. I am a
producer/arranger/recording engineer as well. I also hope to continue to
produce and record artists and their Tejano music as well. We always
need new artists. We
want this genre to grow, so we must make the effort to keep producing artists.
We must grow to succeed and survive.
BBB: I noticed that you
and many other younger Tejano have not taken the country cowboys hats and so
on but have taken the
look of the younger generation, what would you say about
that?
Jm: We used to do the
whole typical "Tejano" thing. Cowboy hats. Big buckles. Starched
jeans and shirts. But we had to evolve musically, and visually. I can't expect
for the kids to dig our music when I'm wearing
something that to them
seems "too old". I love the Cowboy look. But torn jeans and Rock and
roll shirts are what draws attention these days. You have to roll
with the punches. Plus!
It gives us the chance to be us. I'm a rock and rolling, country playing,
Tejano. I love playing in torn jeans, biker boots, chains,
baseball cap, and a
Black T-shirt! It's hip! (Artists that doesn't give you an excuse to look like
you just rolled out of bed though. Take pride in your "work
clothes". Even if
it is t-shirt and jeans) The demographic for TEJANO'S is usually from 35 on up
now. A lot don't go to shows or buy albums anymore.
They're getting older
and such. We need the kids to be interested in our music. So we in turn need to
make it as "cool" as possible. And Yes! It starts with how
you look. 70% how you
look (includes dress, physical appearance, and show production) 20% how you
sound (includes sound engineering quality, and
musicianship) 10% what
you say (includes your radio hits, and stage opinions) That's the way it works.
BBB: I am sure that you
do lots of
traveling, how hard is
it on your family?
Jm: Dan Fogelburg said
it best when
he said "The
audience was heavenly, but the traveling was hell." That's true. Sometimes
people don't get how hard the business is. We miss Anniversaries,
Birthdays, holidays,
special occasions, and sometimes funerals. It's tough. But it's a part of the
business. Our fans are important to us. In the 20 years we've
been together, we've
only had to cancel 3 times, because we physically couldn't get there in time.
(Road closures, etc) It's hard on my wife. I feel for her. We
miss each other. She's
been with me for a long time and believes in my dreams. She is my rock, and I'm
grateful for someone who has the patience to deal with
me and my job. She is
actually a writer for us as well. She plays her part. She wrote one of our
biggest hits "Because I love you". She's cool as hell!
BBB:
has there ever been a
gig you took but felt that you shouldn’t have?
Jm: I can't say that
there has been. Every city. Every venue. Every performance has been a stepping
stone, and learning experience. It took all of them to get us
where we are now and
where we're going in the future.
BBB: in your memory of all
the performance you have done is there still one that stands out the
most?
Jm: Lincoln, Nebraska.
We were on The Dixie Chicks tour and we were playing Tejano music. No country
on that show. We looked out and saw no Latinos in the audience. It was crazy.
But we went out there, did our show, and won the hearts of 35,000 people.
BBB: if you were given
the time to speak with a
group of young people
about the future what would you tell them?
Jm: Work hard for your
dreams. Don't ever get lazy. You reach for the stars long and hard
enough, you touch one
eventually.
BBB: and finally sir is
there any last
words you would like to
share with your worldwide fan base?
Jm: Thank you
everyone for your
continued love and support! I am forever grateful! Support the
cause! #savetejanomusic
Check us out at
Booking
Info: John Villanueva
210.923.3548
BBB: Jason you are an
inspiration to
lots of new Tejanos and
I want to thank you for your time and can you give me a hand back on this
bicycle?
Jm: Absolutely. Thank
you for your time. Take
care!
BBB: let we noted a
before our young Tejanos have taken the lead where many in past left off but in
many we are darn sure que the future is in good hands, I am BBB con on the road
again interviews, good day.
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