Story: Tejano Music

Imagine driving through South Texas. As you pass through the small towns, countryside, the cities of Austin and San Antonio and head towards the border, you are swallowed by a culture so colorful and proud. Tejano is not only by definition Mexican American music, it is a term used to describe the people, the food and the traditions. Mexicans migrated to Texas and worked hard. They struggled with discrimination, starting a new, and being away from their homeland. As Tejanos moved further north they not only brought their families, they brought their culture. A life style that consisted of Mexican traditions that after time, began to blend with American and European customs. As these traditions began to fuse together we gain an interesting outcome, Tejano music. The traditional music of Mexico is Rancheras. This genre of music consists of lyrics that include love, patriotism and nature. The word Ranchera is derived from Rancho because it came from the rural countryside of Mexico. In the movie “Songs of a homeland” they use Lydia Mendoza as an example of a popular Ranchera musician. Lydia Mendoza was popular during the 1930’s and was one of the first women to be recorded. She was known as “the singer of the poor.” This traditional music was a big influence on the Mexicans that migrated to Texas. Through Rancheras, Conjunto music was born. Rancheras were passed from generation to generation. As New Tejanos became homesick it was only expected for the songs that reminded them of their roots to follow them. As time passed and the population in Texas grew, new influences began to fill the land and impact the existing cultures. Conjunto music was created from the European soft styles and the music from northern Mexico. The influence of instruments like the button accordion from German settlers made quite an impression on Tejano music. Accordion music is community based, which was perfect because Tejano was fan based in a fan driven market. Two popular musicians were the “Father of Conjunto”, Narciso Martinez and master accordion player, Valerio Longoria. Promoters would take the groups to where the people were. The fields were the stage and the migrant workers the audience. Music was not recorded very much in the 40’s so it worked out well. It was very common for Tejano bands to travel throughout south Texas playing for the people. It is how it survived though the times. Conjunto was born in the Valley for the working class. Even as the times started to change, Conjunto held on to its purity. During World War II Mexican Americans experienced equality by fighting along side other Americans. After the war the discrimination continued and left a bad taste in their mouths. They had just finished fighting a country who had not discriminated against them, to come back to their home where they did. It was a turning point and Mexican Americans more than ever wanted to be treated like Americans. This influenced the music as well. As the middle class started to grow, the music started to change. Isidro Lopez sang modern music for the working class. Then, orchestras began to gain popularity due to their more American style. More sophisticated styles were being used and Conjunto was suddenly considered country and less respected. The middle class wanted to be more American and wanted that in their music as well. A very popular music style that really made an impact on tejano music is American Rock and Roll. As Rock entered the Tejano industry, the music style started to change again. In the barrios, the younger generation started to experiment with other types of music like American pop. “Rudy and the Renobops” were the group who marked the change from Mexican American to Chicano. This started the Chicano movement, which started to reunite the Mexican community. Tejano music was born in the Valley of South Texas, influenced by American and European music styles and loved by the Tejanos. Throughout its history it changed with the times. Although constantly changing the music that resulted was never forgotten. Rancheras that Conjuntos derived from is still very much appreciated. Conjuntos are still enjoyed and the Tejano music that continues to change with the times is still popular in the Mexican American culture. Tejano is no longer snubbed and even the playing of the accordion has regained popularity. What Tejano has become by the touch of outside influences has created a music that is both interesting and loved by the Tejano community. It was the result of people living in between two cultures, and by that it created its own identity.