Lydia Mendoza

The legendary Tejana musician and singer Lydia...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Lydia Mendoza

Charlie & The Jives

In the 1960s young Chicanos on San Antonio'...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Ruben Molina

The Royal Jesters

Although they had little national success, the...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

Freddy Fender

Born Baldemar Huerta, this Texan musician...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

Selena Quintanilla

Selena Quintanilla was Tejano music’s...more »

Credit: Arlene Richie , Getty Images

Sam the Sham

In 1965 Wooly Bully charted at Number Two and...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

Sunny & The Sunliners

One of the most popular Chicano bands in San...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Ruben Molina

The Texas Tornados

The Texas Tornados brought together four...more »

Credit: Bill Millet

4 Aces Album

Featuring The Texas Tornados: Auie Meyers, Doug...more »

Credit: Courtesy of TuneFan Jim, www.tunefan.com

A Texas Tornados Poster

Featuring Doug Sahm, Freddy Fender, Augie Myers,...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Sahm Family

Lydia Mendoza

The legendary Tejana musician and singer Lydia...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Lydia Mendoza

Eva Ybarra

More than 60 years ago, Eva Ybarra achieved...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Eva Ybarra

Conjunto Bernal

The Bernal brothers, Paulino and Eloy, from...more »

Credit: Courtesy of C.L. Landin

Narciso Martinez and Santiago Almeida

Playing an instrument similar to the one in...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Arhoolie Records

Laura Canales

Laura Canales reigned as best female vocalist at...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Ramón Hernández /Hispanic Entertainment Archives, San Antonio

Esteban Jordan

“The Jimi Hendrix of the Accordion,...more »

Credit: Courtesy of C.L. Landin

Little Joe y La Familia

Born in Temple, Texas, Little Joe Herná...more »

Credit: Courtesy of La Familia Enterprises

Mando & the Chili Peppers

Mando & the Chili Peppers is one of the...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Ruben Molina

Girl In A Coma

Influenced by their conjunto musician...more »

Credit: Michael Rubenstein Courtesy of Blackheart Records Group

Austin American Stateman Ad

Featuring the Texas Tornados. December 17, 1998...more »

Credit: Courtesy of TuneFan Jim, www.tunefan.com

Flaco Jimenez

In 2009 Jimenez collaborated with the Hohner...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Annie Leibovitz

Pharaohization! Album

Featuring the popular Tejano influenced group,...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

Talk To Me Album

In 1963 Sunny and the Sunliners' lead...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

Jiménez Family Legacy

The Jiménez family have been...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Arhoolie Records

Migrant Labor and Music

Labor migration has taken the music of South...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Jose G. and Maria G. Guzman

Sunny & The Sunliners at La Villita

It’s getting late / I better take you...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

River Valley Maps

Labor migration has taken the music of South...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

Selena's Last Concert

Selena Quintanilla was Tejano music’s...more »

Credit: Bill Millet

The Tejano Sensation Poster

Selena at The Astrodome, February 26, 1995,...more »

Credit: Courtesy of Deborah Vargas

Sam the Sham Fillmore Poster

Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs Little Red Riding...more »

Credit: Courtesy of EMP

The San Antonio Story

The rich musical cultures that have coalesced in Texas over the last hundred years have created a distinctive musical flavor in the region.

The conjuntos, orquestas, rhythm and blues combos, and country bands fused polkas, rancheras, corridos, blues, jazz, country, and other musical elements that provide the foundation for its popular music of today. Many musical centers emerged, including Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Alice; but when looking at Latino influence in popular music, San Antonio stands out. It had the highest concentration of Tejanos and a high number of composers, songwriters, and recording labels. At one time San Antonio was anticipated to be a center of popular music production that would equal Nashville and Los Angeles. San Antonio and other South Texas cities played an important role in the development and commercial success of tejano music.