The Tejano Music Awards (TMA) is an accolade created by former arts teacher and musician Rudy Trevino in 1980. The accolade recognizes outstanding performers of

Tejano music Tejano music (), also known as Tex-Mex music, is a popular music style fusing Mexican influences. Its evolution began in northern Mexico (a variation of regional Mexican music known as ). It reached a larger audience in the late 20th century ...

, a German

polka Polka is a dance style and genre of dance music in originating in nineteenth-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Though generally associated with Czech and Central European culture, polka is popular throughout Europe and the ...

-based Latin music genre recorded in Spanish or English-language. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by Tejano artists and bands and the presentation of all awards. The Tejano Music Awards are annually presented in

San Antonio, Texas San Antonio ( ; Spanish for "Anthony of Padua, Saint Anthony") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Greater San Antonio. San Antonio is the List of Texas metropolitan areas, third-largest metropolitan area in Texa ...

, although the ceremony has been presented in other cities such as

Eagle Pass, Texas Eagle Pass is a city in and the county seat of Maverick County, Texas, United States. Its population was 28,130 as of the 2020 census. Eagle Pass borders the city of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, which is to the southwest and across the ...

in the past. The first Tejano Music Awards was held in 1981 and recognized Tejano musicians and recordings of 1980. The ceremony awarded Tejano musicians in 11 categories: Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Album of the Year – Orchestra, Album of the Year – Conjunto, Single of the Year, Male Entertainer of the Year, Female Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Most Promising Band of the Year. Tejano music enjoyed wider success in the 1990s as it entered its first renaissance and marketable era. This was due to the popularity of American singer

Selena Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (; April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was an American singer-songwriter. Known as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Tejano Music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most cel ...

, who was called the "Queen of Tejano Music". Selena dominated the female-only awards, while American singer

Emilio Navaira Emilio H. Navaira III (August 23, 1962 – May 16, 2016) was an American singer-songwriter of Tejano music, Tejano and country music. He is the winner of one Grammy Award and one Latin Grammy Award. Known to most by the Mononymous person, mono ...

was called the "King of Tejano music". The Tejano Music Awards celebrated their "

quinceañera In Mexico, Mexican and other Latin American cultures, it is customary to celebrate a girl's 15th birthday. In Spanish language, Spanish, the girl celebrating her 15th birthday is called a ; in English language, English, primarily in the Unite ...

" year in

1995 1995 was designated as: * United Nations Year for Tolerance * World Year of Peoples' Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War This was the first year that the Internet was entirely privatized, with the United States government ...

and awarded Tejano musicians in 14 categories. By the 20th annual Tejano Music Awards, the genre suffered and its popularity waned after Selena was shot and killed in 1995. The

Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime achievement awards are awarded by various organizations, to recognize contributions over the whole of a career, rather than or in addition to single contributions. Such awards, and organizations presenting them, include: A * A.C. ...

was erected in

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

and was awarded to Tejano artists who had a major impact on the genre. At the 2005 Tejano Music Awards, the ceremony celebrated their "silver anniversary" and awarded Tejano artists in 14 categories, the most categories since 1995. The 30th annual Tejano Music Awards was celebrated in 2010 with a decade-ballot category, awarding artists in specific categories that they reign in the 1980s, 1990s, and the 2000s. The 2024 Tejano Music Awards is the 44th annual upcoming event. Aside from the awards ceremony, the annual Fan Fair is celebrated weeks in advance from the Tejano Music Awards.

2008 winners

* Song of the Year: "Elida's Medley" by

Elida Reyna Elida Reyna (born August 17, 1972), also known as Elida, is a Mexican American Tejano music singer.Billboard – March 20, 1999 p. 19 "Elida Reyna and Bobby Pulido were celebrated as new major forces in Tejano music at the new Tejano Entertaine ...

* Male Vocalist of the Year: Jay Perez * Female Vocalist of the Year: Elida Reyna * Entertainer of the Year: Jay Perez * Album of the Year (Tejano): ''35th Anniversary'' by Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution * Album of the Year (Conjunto): ''Chuco's'' by Los Garcia Brothers * Crossover Song of the Year: "His House" by Jimmy Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz * Vocal Duo of the Year: Shelly Lares and

Sunny Sauceda Sunny Sauceda is a Tejano music and Texas Country artist from San Antonio, Texas. Sauceda plays the accordion and sings. He is the recipient of three Grammy Awards. Early life and career In 2005, Sauceda won a Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, ...

* Most Promising Band: Tex-Mex Kadillaks * Showband of the Year: Jay Perez * Lifetime Achievement Awards: Joey Lopez (producer), Arturo Villarreal (promoter), Freddie Martinez (record label)

2012 winners

* Song of the Year: "Juntos Hasta Morir" by Elida Reyna and Jesse Turner * Male Vocalist of the Year: Jesse Turner of Grupo Siggno * Female Vocalist of the Year: Elida Reyna * Entertainer of the Year: Elida Reyna * Album of the Year (Tejano): ''Lo Que Me Dejaste'' by Grupo Siggno * Album of the Year (Conjunto): ''Manteniendo La Promesa'' by The Hometown Boys * Vocal Duo of the Year: Elida Reyna and Jesse Turner for "Juntos Hasta Morir" * Best New Male of the Year: Ricky Valenz * Best New Female of the Year: Jessica Sanchez * Best New Group of the Year: Tejano Highway 281 * Lifetime Achievement Awards: Elsa Garcia, Mingo Saldivar, Johnny Canales

References

External links

Tejano Music Awards website
{{Tejano Music Award categories

Award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award may be d ...

American music awards Latin music awards Latin American music awards Music of San Antonio Awards established in 1981 1980 establishments in Texas