Monthly Archives: September 2011

If you haven’t heard, Harris County Democratic Party Chairman Gerry Birnberg announced at the meeting of precinct chairs last night his intent to resign as of December 19th.  Of course, the next County Executive Committee meeting is on December 19 and at that meeting the Dem precinct chairs will elect an interim chair to serve the remainder of the term.

Lane Lewis announced earlier this year  his intent to seek the position in 2012, and with Birnberg’s announcement, Lewis has announced he is stepping up to run for the interim position at the December 19 meeting. Here’s Lewis’ statement:

Friends:

This summer I announced my candidacy for Harris County Democratic Party Chair and my willingness to step forward sooner if the position became available. Since then I have traveled across the county, meeting with Democrats, listening to their concerns, and sharing my vision for the county party.

Yesterday, Harris County Democratic Party Chair Gerry Birnberg announced his intention to resign prior to the December County Executive Committee meeting.

This December 19th, Democrats in Harris County will have the opportunity to elect an interim county party chair. Today I ask for your support and your vote.

As an organizer, I have worked with the grassroots to motivate and mobilize communities.

As a Senate District Chair, I have developed and implemented programs that increased Democratic turnout.

As your HCDP Chair, I will work to create a strong and diverse county party, elect Democrats to office up and down the ballot, and ensure that our party is financially healthy.

Thank you for your support and vote on December 19, 2011.

Lane Lewis

Among my favorite things on which to rant and rave about on the DC (and recently, on SomosTejanos.org) has been Tejano music, its artists, and their creations. After its 1990s hey day when “gringo” record labels poured money into marketing (and some say overmarketing) the genre, those who make a living in Tejano were left to fend for themselves. Corporate radio had given up on the genre with few radio stations in Texas willing to base their airplay solely on this style of music. What had become an era which, scaled to the genre, could have been thought as the big days of “arena rock,” in which many of these bands played huge venues, some even selling out the Astrodome, was back to club acts, the occasional private quinceañera or wedding, and some ballrooms.

But one thing Tejano music lovers are is loyal. And Tejano musicians are among the hardest working people around–they never give up. Big names like Little Joe, David Lee Garza, Joe Posada and newer big names like Sunny Sauceda and Chente Barrera have gone back to where the genre began–indie labels. In fact, some of these folks own their labels, thus giving them the independence to create their music as they see fit–without big label bosses. Sure, it’s risky, but that’s what investing in our culture should be about–taking risks.

So, it is not surprising that the 2011 Latin Grammy nominees have something in common.

Making the cut in the best Tejano album category are Chente Barrera (“El No. 7″), Joe Posada (“In the Pocket”) and Sunny Sauceda (“Camaleon”).  Also nominated are legendary regional acts Little Joe y La Familia (“Recuerdos”) and Tortilla Factory (“Cookin’”).   “Cookin’” is the last album to include Tony “Ham” Guerrero, who died in January.

Now, do not let the fact that DC (and ST) having recently reviewed two of the nominees make you think we had a hand in this. These guys earned their nominations.  What these nominees have in common is that they all recorded on indie labels, and through their own efforts have worked their creations on the market, on radio (traditional and online), and through grueling tour schedules that can have them playing Texas one day, and some other far-away state the next–without the luxury of a Lear Jet to whisk them to the next venue.

As I stated, I reviewed two of these (Sunny and Chente), and I’ve reviewed Joe Posada in the past, but time constraints didn’t help me get a review done of his most recent and great creation. Little Joe and Tortilla Factory are legendary names, of course, that usually would have been reviewed if reviews were all I did. But the fact remains that we’ve got one helluva nominees list for 2011.

So, here’s a quickie on the rest of the nominees:

Joe Posada’s In The Pocket contains some smooth grooves, including Bonita, the classic Historia de Un Amor, and a remake of an old favorite of mine, Soy Lo Peor backed up by a haunting acordeon. One right after the other, Posada provides a good mix of Tejano, including a sax-driven, old-style polka, Monterrey Polka.

Little Joe’s Recuerdos is an eclectic mix of songs from, as my mom says, “cuando estaban las viboras paradas.” Not your typical horn-driven CD, Recuerdos is more of an “unplugged” type of CD featuring Little Joe’s voice, some guitars, a violin, maybe a steel guitar, and other instruments here and there. Songs of note are Pajarillo Barranqueño, Tu y Las Nubes, Pa Que Me Sirve La Vida, Mi Ranchito, and other old standards.

Tortilla Factory’s Cookin’ is a horn-driven CD featuring the late Tony “Ham” Guerrero. A 16-track bonanza of Tejanos, blues, R&B and cumbias, this one is definitely a contender for the Latin Grammy. Si Te Vas, Tonto Enamora’o, and Que Se Te Quite Ese Orgullo are my faves on this one–great rancheras.

So, may the best of these Tejanos win. And a big thanks to them for keeping La Musica Tejana alive and strong!