Tejano R.O.O.T.S
Celebrating 15 years, the Tejano R.O.O.T.S (Remembering Our Own Tejano Stars) Hall of Fame is housed in an unassuming building in the birthplace of Tejano music, Alice, as declared by Gov. Rick Perry.
Founded by Rito Silva, Tony Morris and the late Javier Villanueva, the museum’s purpose is to recognize pioneers in the Tejano industry and preserve the genre’s culture and history.
The organization lost one of its founders, Villanueva in June 2010. He was proclaimed “The Dean of Tejano” and was a local radio personality and manager for musicians such as the late Laura Canales, Los Fabulosos Cuatro and Carlos Guzman.
Photos with the year of induction into the Hall of Fame line the walls of Tejano R.O.O.T.S. with other memorabilia, such as instruments and gold records, in front. Original outfits worn by some of the musicians, including Laura Canales from Kingsville, are also available for viewing.
Other items include an accordion played by Armando Lichtenberger Jr. and another by the first woman accordion player, Ventura Alonzo. There is also an exhibit on Beto Villa, the father of Orquestra Tejano.
Last year, several entertainers were inducted into the Hall of Fame as the Class of 2012. George Soto, Gilbert Gonzales, Bobby Gonzales, Ramon Salazar Jr., Frutoso Balderas, Rudy Machado, Jesse Carrillo and Jimmy Soliz of the Broken Hearts from Seguin, Texas.
Joe Placencio, Joe Sanchez and Mando Garza were chosen as the Favorite Sons of Alice, while Virginia Costante, Victor Lara Obregon, Magdaleno Serenil, Herman Mejia, Belen Bernal Soliz and Janie Moran were inducted for broadcasting.
The Conjunto Tradicionalinduction was awarded to Los Monarcas de Pete and Mario Diaz and Conjunto Falcon de Joe Moreida. Los Vidal was named the Conjunto Progressive.
Marcos Orozco, Pete Astudillo, Hugo Guerrero and Juan P. Moreno were awarded the Male Entertainer title, while Eva De La Rosa was the Female Entertainer.
Other awards included:
Orchestra/Big Band: Latin Heat and Broken Hearts, Seguin, Texas
Composer: Jorge Alejandro and Jesse Perez
Promotor: Francisco “Panchito” Garza
Javier “JV” Lifetime Achievement Award: Johnny Canales
Pioneer Tejano Award: Bobby Vidal and Marcelo Garcia
Million Dollar Band Drums: Viviana G. Garcia, Pete Garza, Reynaldo “Ray” Cortez, Jesse Godinez, Raul Florez, Joe Alvarez and Ramon Garcia
Guitar: Ramiro Hernandez, Vic Nash Espinosa, Juan Medrano and Ruben Cardona
Bajo Sexto: Hector “Flaco” Garcia, Wally Moya, Johnny Lee Rosas, Oscar Tellez, Ramon “Rabbit” Sanchez, Reynaldo Guajuardo and Gonzalo Gonzalez Sr.
Bass Guitar: Rudy “Bouga” Perales, Lalo Garza, Javier “Harvey” Gonzalez, Juan Garcia, David Vidaurri and Ruben Gutierrez
Trumpet: Arturo Torrez
Saxophone: Jesse Soto, Mario Montez, Oscar Diaz Jr. and Rodolfo “Fito” Olivarez
Accordion: Ricky De La Rosa, Jose Mora, David Valadez and Antonio Lopez
Vocalist: Abelardo Gonzalez, Nati Padierna and Ernesto “La Negra” Cadena
Keyboards: Gary Guajardo and Rocky Godinez
Amadeo Flores Accordion Player Award: Victor Tellez, Oscar “Lefty” Guardo, Ernesto Arenas and Adan Sanchez
Armando Marroquin Sr. Historic Hall: Gonzalez Danceland-Horacio Gonzalez and El Cielito Lindo-Frank “Chico” Villarreal
Special Recognition: Serapio Serna Jr.
The museum is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling board president Reuben Lopez at (361) 765-3523.
Information about the museum can also be found on the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Facebook page until a permanent website can be established.
